The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex . ould have been much more dangerous than a branchedantler; and Judge Caton, who has had large experi-ence with deer, fully concurs in this conclusion. Nordo the branching horns, though highly important as ameans of defence against rival stags, appear perfectlywell adapted for this purpose, as they are liable tobecome interlocked. The suspicion has therefore crossedmy mind that they may serve partly as the branched antlers of stags, as well as theelegant lyrated horns of certain antelopes, with theirgraceful double curvature,
The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex . ould have been much more dangerous than a branchedantler; and Judge Caton, who has had large experi-ence with deer, fully concurs in this conclusion. Nordo the branching horns, though highly important as ameans of defence against rival stags, appear perfectlywell adapted for this purpose, as they are liable tobecome interlocked. The suspicion has therefore crossedmy mind that they may serve partly as the branched antlers of stags, as well as theelegant lyrated horns of certain antelopes, with theirgraceful double curvature, (fig. 62), are ornamentalin our eyes, no one will dispute. If, then, the horns,like the splendid accoutrements of the knights of old,add to the noble appearance of stags and antelopes,they may have been partly modified for this purpose, -^ See a most interesting account in the Appendix to Hon. J. pai)er, as above quoted. Chap. XVII. LAW OF BATTLE. 255 though mainly for actual service in battle; but I haveno evidence in favour of this Fig. 02. Strepsiceros Kudu (from Andrew Smiths Zoology of South Afrra)- An interesting case has lately been published, fromwhich it appears that the horns of a deer in one districtin the United States are now beini2: modified throuofhsexual and natural selection. A writer in an excellent 256 SEXUAL selection: mammals. Part II. American Journal ^^ says, tliat he has hunted for thelast twenty-one years in the Adirondacks, where theCervus Virginianus abounds. About fourteen years agohe first heard of spihe-horn huehs. These became fromyear to year more common ; about five years ago heshot one, and subsequently another, and now they arefrequently killed. The spike-horn differs greatly from the common antler of the C. Virginianus. It* consists of a single spike, more slender than the antler, and scarcely half so long, projecting forward from the brow, and terminating in a very sharp point. It gives* a considerable advantage to its poss
Size: 1144px × 2184px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectnaturalselection
