Page:Natural History (1848).djvu/197

Rh periodical intervals. This “single character," observes Mr. Bell, "of deciduous osseous horns, without any corneous covering, is at once so tangible and so important, as to leave no doubt as to the relation of any one species of the whole group." The horns are in all cases when fully developed, either spread into broad palms, irregularly indented at the edge, or divided into branches, or both; and with the exception of the Reindeer or Caribou (Rangifer) are confined to the male sex.

The form of these animals is graceful and elegant, though somewhat compact and plump. Their limbs are slender, but strong; and they are distinguished for agility and fleetness, and, in particular, for the enormous bounds which they are capable of performing. There are cavities beneath the eyes, which secrete a wax-like substance of strong odour, and which are occasionally applied to substances, apparently to test their qualities, in some manner to us unknown.

The geographical range of the Deer embraces the whole world, with the exception of Australia and Southern Africa. The species which inhabit the colder regions are marked in general by superior size, and by a greater development of the horns.

In the Stags the horns are not palmated, but branched, three antlers proceeding from the main stem or beam, called respectively the brow-antler, the bez-antler, and the antler-royal, besides the snags or crown, called also the sur-royal, into which the beam divides at its termination. The