few of the larger parks and chaces but on the
mountain-ranges of Scotland, and particularly in
the vast forest of Athol, large herds yet remain.
"In the glens of the Tilt and Bruar," observes
Mr. Martin, "these deer are often seen in herds of upwards of a thousand and when, in a tract
where there is no human abode for twenty or
thirty miles, a long line of stags appears on
a height with their branching horns relieved
upon a clear mountain sky, the sight is very imposing." [1]
The chace of the Hart was formerly among the most highly esteemed of rural sports and a noble breed of dogs, the old Stag-hound, was devoted to this pursuit, which is now falling into disuse. In the northern portion of this island hunting has given place to deer-stalking the sportsman endeavouring with much caution to approach the herd without being perceived until he can bring down his victims with the rifle.
The horns, of which the female, called a Hind, is destitute, are shed in the spring, the old ones losing them first. During the summer they are reproduced, each year (up to a certain period of lite) larger than before. Their growth is very rapid a full-grown horn weighs about twenty-four pounds, the whole of which mass of bone is produced in about ten weeks. The process is so curious and interesting, that our readers will peruse with pleasure the following luminous description of it from the pen of Mr. W. C. L. Martin.
"The horns are seated upon an osseous peduncle or footstalk, rising from each frontal bone, at its
- ↑ Pictorial Mus. 1. 135.
