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THE CYCLE OF THE ANTLERS In order to give the reader a more comprehensive pictureof natural selection, it may be well to look at the real storythat lies behind the antlers—one of nature's ways that is littleunderstood. The breeding season comes once a year, usually in Octoberand early November. All hunters know that bucks do a lotof fighting for possession of the doe and, as is common knowl- edge, the victor, which we must assume is the stronger, takesthis possession. This champion is called on to perform a longand exhausting biological service. Nature has equipped himwith organs sufficient unto the task. But, when this servicehas been rendered, these glands cannot become inactive andremain dormant for another year; so, nature has created asafety valve which permits these glands to function but directsthe energy created by them into a different and useful chan-nel. This safety valve is the antlers. |
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