STAG. ^77 



The Stag varies both in size and colour in dif- 

 ferent countries, but is generally about three feet 

 and a half high ; and of a reddish brown colour, 

 whitish beneath. Sometimes it is of a very dark 

 or blackish brown ; sometimes, of a pale or yel- 

 low-brown, and lastly, instances occur of Stags 

 entirely white. The horns vary as to size and 

 number of ramifications according to the age of 

 the animal, and, as in others of this genus, are 

 annually cast. The general number of branches 

 in a well grown Stag seems to be six or seven, 

 but they are sometimes far more numerous ^\ 



The Stag is a native of almost all the temperate 

 parts of Europe, as Y\^ell as of Asia. It also oc- 

 curs in North America, where it occasionally ar- 

 rives at a larger f size than in the old continent, 

 except in Siberia, where, according to Mr. Pen- 

 nant, it is found of gigantic magnitude. In Ame- 

 rica the Stag, like many other native animals, has 

 gradually receded from particular regions in pro- 

 portion to increased cultivation. We are informed 

 by Kalm, that an old Indian, who was living in 

 the year 1748, had killed several Stags on the spot 

 where the city of Philadelphia now stands. 



The Stag is supposed to have been originally in- 

 troduced into our o^vn island from France, where 

 it is very common. Mr. Pennant remarks, that 



* Many curious varieties of this kind may be found in the works 

 of Ridinger. 



f Lawson, on the contrary, says the American stag is smaller 

 than the European, though fatter. 



V. II, P. II. 19 



