Why is the rein-deer a serviceable beast of burden?" Because of the great strength of its shoulders and fore-quarters, and the muscularity of its loins. Why do the Laplanders migrate with their herds of rein-deer from the interior to the coast of Lapland? Because the interior, particularly its boundless forests, is so infested by stinging insects, that no animal can escape their incessant persecutions, but by fleeing to the coast; the cool sea breezes being unfavourable to the insects. - De Broke's Travels. Why does the rein-deer produce a crackling noise while running? Because of the contraction of its hoofs, when the foot is raised from the ground. Why are the hoofs of the rein-deer broad and spreading? Because the foot may present a large surface when the rein-deer crosses the yielding snows; and, like the snow-shoe of the Norwegians and Canadian Indians, assist to prevent the animal sinking so deeply as it would if the hoof were small and compact, like that of the fallow-deer, which finds its food upon unyielding surfaces. FALLOW-DEER. Why does the fallow-deer, while drinking, plunge and keep its nose under water for a considerable time? Because it has two spiracula or breathing-places besides the nostrils; one at the inner corner of each eye,having a communication with the nose.-G. White. Why was stag-hunting in England formerly very perilous? Because when the stag turned to bay, the ancient hunter went in upon, and killed or disabled, the desperate animal. At certain times of the year this was held particularly dangerous,a wound received from a stag's horn being then deemed poisonous, and more PART II. 4 dangerous than one from the tusks of a boar, as the old rhyme testifies : "If thou be hurt with hart, it brings thee to thy bier, But barber's hand will boar's hurt heal, thereof thou needst not fear.' Sir Walter Scott. Why do antlers differ from horns? Because the antler is a real bone; it is formed in the same manner, and consists of the same elements as other bones.-Notes to Blumenbach. Why is hartshorn jelly nutritious? Because the horn of the stag contains a large proportion of gelatine. Why is the deer poetically said to weep? Because, in the heads of deer and antelopes, there are cavities imbedded in a bony case, and believed by French naturalists to be receptacles for tears, of which the thinner part evaporating, a substance remains, called by them, larmes de cerf, or deer's tears, the receptacles themselves being called larmiers. Why is the deer as strong as he is fleet? Because of the peculiar hardness of the bone of his foot. Why is the fallow-deer often seen domesticated in stables? Because he manifests a sort of affection for the horse. Why were sheep formerly excluded from grazing on forests? Because being such close grazers, they would pick out all the finest grasses, and hinder the deer from thriving. G. White. In the Holt, where a full stock of fallow-deer has been kept up till lately, no sheep are admitted to this day. SWINE. Why do swine roll themselves in mire? Because they may protect themselves from flies, |
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