HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 123 



fixth year, the antlers amount to fix or feven on each 

 fide ; but the number is not always certain. 



The Stag begins to fhed his horns the latter end of 

 February, or the beginning of March. Soon after the 

 old horn is fallen off, a foft tumour begins to appear, 

 which is foon covered with a down like velvet : This tu- 

 mour every day buds forth, like the graft of a tree ; and, 

 rifing by degrees, (hoots out the antlers on each fide: 

 The fkin continues to cover it for fome time, and is fur- 

 nilhed with blood- vefTels, which fupply the growing 

 horns with nourifhment, and occafion the furrows ob- 

 fervable in them when that covering is ftript off: The 

 imprefiion is deeper at the bottom, where the veflels are 

 larger ; and diminifhes towards the point, where they are 

 fmooth. When the horns are at their full growth, they 

 acquire ftrength and folidity ; and the velvet covering or 

 fkin, with its blood-vefiels, dries up, and begins to fall 

 off ; which the animal endeavours to haften, by rubbing 

 them againft the trees ; and, in this manner, the whole 

 head gradually acquires its compleat hardnefs, expanfion, 

 and beauty. 



Soon after the Stags have polimed their horns, which 

 is not compleated till July or Auguft, they quit the 

 thickets, and return to the forefts: They cry with a 

 loud and tremulous note : and fly from place to place, 

 in fearch of the females, with extreme ardour: Their 

 necks fwell : They ftrike with their horns againft trees 

 and other obftacles, and become extremely furious. — At 

 this feafon, when two Stags meet, their contefls are 

 often defperate, and terminate in the defeat or flight of 

 one of them ; while the other remains in pofTefiion of his 

 miftrefs and the field, till another rival approaches, that 

 he is alfo obliged to attack and repel. — During this time. 



