246 
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 
state give rise to three ramifications ; each terminating 
in a broad palmated expansion, subdivided into several 
distinct and more or less elongated processes. The 
first of these ramifications takes its origin near the root 
of the horn, and expanding almost from its base, passes 
forv^ards over the forehead and root of the nose; the 
second rises somewhat higher, but always below the 
middle of the stem and from its outer side ; and the 
third terminates the stem itself, w^hich is frequently 
furnished on its upper part with several short simple 
snags. But all these particulars are subject to very 
considerable variations. Sometimes the palmated ex- 
pansions are no where to be seen, the ramifications 
terminating in simple cylindrical processes, unconnected 
by any flattening at their base. This variety most 
frequently occurs in the young or in the female animal ; 
for in this species alone of the Deer tribe the female 
is provided with horns similar to those of the male, but 
rarely attaining an equal magnitude. Not unfrequently 
one, or even both the lowermost ramifications, or brow 
antlers, are entirely wanting. There is also very great 
variety in size, proportional thickness, and extent of 
curvature. Every part of them in fact is liable to so 
much variation that it has been asserted, and not without 
reason, that no two specimens, even of the same age 
and sex, have the horns shaped exactly alike. This 
remarkable fact has been well illustrated by Baron 
Cuvier, in his Ossemens Fossiles, in which he has 
devoted an entire plate to the modifications in the form 
of the horns of the Rein-deer as exemplified by the 
excellent series in the Paris Museum. From these he 
has deduced the conclusion that there is no character 
common to the whole species, but that of having the 
horns smooth and compressed in every part, except in 
the very short portion immediately connected with the 
burr. Several conjectural species, founded on these 
