XXII 
THE DEER 
203 
Ceylon, but the same species may be killed 
throughout the year with the horns in different 
degrees of development. 
In forest countries the stags are very careful 
in their movements during the early stages of 
their antlers. When these first sprout, they 
somewhat resemble the thick stalk of rhubarb, as 
they push boldly from the root with a round, 
blunt termination, covered with a glistening 
cuticle. These growing horns are very sensitive, 
and the stag has a strong objection to pushing 
its way through tangled thickets. I have known 
localities among the lofty mountains in Ceylon, 
beneath bare precipices of rocks, where plateaux 
at lower levels were free from jungle, in which we 
were sure to find a stag with horns in velvet; these 
secluded spots, which produced good pasturage, 
were at the same time open, and afforded 
space to move, without danger to the growing 
horns. 
There are few things more curious than the 
growth of a deer’s horns. We have already seen 
that those of antelopes resemble the horns of 
oxen, goats, and sheep : these are sheaths fitting 
upon an inside core of bone, which is a pro¬ 
jection of the skull, and never can be shed. The 
horns of deer commence their growth when the 
male is two years old, in a single spike about 6 
inches long. This is perfectly hard and solid, 
but, like all mature horns, it falls off in spring, 
leaving the peculiar porous base ready for the 
