Horn is a general term applied to all hard and pointed appendages of the head, as in deer, cattle, etc, but as a term denoting a particular kind of substance nothing should be called horn which is not derived from the epidermis or outer, layer of the integument, whether on the trunk, hoofs, or head.
Horn is a tough, flexible, semi-transparent substance, most liberally developed in the horns of bovine animals, but also found in connection with the 'shell' of the tortoise, the nails, claws, and hoofs of animals, the beak of bird and turtle, etc
Horn is softened very completely by heat, so as to become readily flexible, and to adhere to other pieces similarly softened. True horn consists principally of an albuminoid principle, keratin, with a small portion of gelatine and a little phosphate of lime. In some species of animals the males only have horns, as for instance the stag. In cattle both male and female have horns, though there are also hornless cattle.
Horns differ widely in the case of different animals. Thus the horns of deer consist of bone, and are deciduous; those of the giraffe are independent bones, with a covering of hairy skin; those of oxen, sheep, and antelopes consist of a bony core covered by a horny sheath. The horns of the rhinoceros alone consist exclusively of horny matter. The horns of oxen, sheep, goats, and antelopes are never shed, except in the case of the prong-horned antelope. The number never normally exceeds four, and in the case of deer the horns are branched.
The various kinds of horns were formerly employed for many purposes. The principal formerly used in the arts are those of the ox, buffalo, sheep, and goat. Deer horns were almost exclusively employed for the handles of knives and of sticks and umbrellas. Those which furnish true horn can be softened by heat (usually in boiling water), cut into sheets of various thickness, which sheets may be soldered or welded together at the edges so as to form plates of large dimensions, and were formerly polished and dyed so as to imitate the much more expensive tortoise-shell. The clippings of horn may be welded together in the same manner, and were formerly made into snuff-boxes, powder horns, handles for umbrellas, knives, forks, etc. As horn has the valuable property of taking on and retaining a sharp impression from a die, many highly ornamental articles were also turned out. Combs for the hair were made from the flattened sheets, and out of the solid parts of buffalo horns beautiful carvings were made. Research Horn
Tally-ho! Is the old Norman huntingcry meaning 'to the coppice!', and was used when a stag was spotted running for the cover of the trees. Research Tally-Ho
The white hart is a popular British pub sign, showing a white hart wearing a gold chain. The symbol was the badge of Richard II adopted from his mother, and was adopted by his courtiers and adherents. In nature, a white hart is a white stag. In Britain the native deer is the Red Deer, and the term white hart properly applies to a very rare white red deerstag, however the name is also given to any white stag over about five years of age. White deer are very rare in any popular deer species. Research White Hart
The babiroussa or babyroussa (in Indonesian meaning hog-stag) is a ferocious wild pig found in Sulawesi. The babiroussa's behaviour differs from typical pigs in various ways. It does not dig holes in the ground in search of roots or worms, but rather feeds on fruit fallen from the trees or larva nesting in fallen tree-trunks. Unlike typical pigs the female gives birth to only one or two offspring, and these grow slowly. From the outside of the upper jaw spring two teeth 30 cm long, curving upwards and backwards like horns, and almost touching the forehead. The tusks of the lower jaw also appear externally, though they are not so long as those of the upper jaw. Along the back are some weak bristles, and on the rest of the body only a sort of wool. These animals live in herds, are sometimes tamed, and their flesh is well flavoured. Research Babiroussa
The Cariacou or Carjacou is the Virginian deer (Cervus virginianus), found in all parts of North America up to 43 degrees north latitude. It is smaller than the common stag, and its colour varies with the season. In spring it is reddish-brown, in autumn slaty-blue, and in winter dull-brown. Research Cariacou
The Deerhound or Scottish Deerhound is a Scottish breed of large dog standing about 76 cm tall. It originated in the 14th century and was bred for staghunting. A good natured breed, Deerhounds need plenty of exercise. Research Deerhound
Dorcus is the lesser stag beetle genus of beetles of the family Lucanidae. They grow to three centimetres in length, and the males have a particularly large, wide head. Research Dorcus
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Abature
