CERVIDiE. 137 



which the bone came off, till the whole bone is a uniform knob of a 

 dark brown colour. 



The first formation of this substance is a soft membranous pulp 

 shooting out from this knob, which is extremely vascular, and is covered 

 by a tendinous or periosteal membrane leading from the periosteum of 

 the head, by a cutis and cuticle also leading from those of the head, and 

 by hair of a particular kind. This membranous pulp becomes more 

 solid and cartilaginous, and a bony construction is set up, first from the 

 knob which shoots a bony matter into this pulp ; or, that part of the 

 pulp which is first formed, or next to the knob, becomes first bony. 

 As the body of the antler advances, this pulpy substance is continued 

 to be formed upon it, and then it undergoes the same changes as above 

 described l . 



The most singular circumstance about these parts is, their being- 

 changed every year. 



Loose Notes. 



The deer easts his antlers with his hair. Why he should do this I do 

 not know ; or rather, upon what principle. If it had been hair or 

 horn, one could see the connexion. One reason may be assigned : the 

 antlers become dead as the hair does. 



Why do all the deer-tribe cast their antlers ? They do not appear to 

 break off so easily or commonly as to require a yearly renewal. Is it 

 because the buck might be mischievous to the fawn, and he, therefore, 

 is rendered inoffensive at that season ? 



When bucks' antlers are growing they are very careful how they run 

 their heads against anything, nor do they then fight with their antlers 

 or heads, but strike with their fore-feet. 



We may observe that, in general, the parts of animals which are 

 essential to life or to the animal economy, are constant, and that the 

 female has them as well as the male. But we find that the males have 

 often parts for offence or defence which are not to be found in the 

 female. The great marks of distinction between the two sexes have, 

 generally, an immediate relation to this, viz. offence and defence; 

 where there is not this relation, in parts in which the male differs from 

 the female, it would seem to be beauty alone that nature considered ; as 

 in the male such parts are always more beautiful. 



The cock has his spurs, which are the immediate parts for offence. 

 He has strength of limb for the use of them ; and he has, besides, addi- 

 tional strength of other parts, which are common to him and the female. 



1 [The several stages and circumstances in the development of the antler in the 

 fallow-deer (Cervus Dama), are exemplified in the Hunt. Preps. Nos. 163 — 187 & 1408.] 



