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The Descent of Man

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dies (2. Ibid. p. 595.)) <strong>of</strong> stags periodically become<br />

enlarged at the beginning <strong>of</strong> the breeding-season,<br />

it might be thought that their powerful<br />

voices must be somehow <strong>of</strong> high importance<br />

to them; but this is very doubtful. From<br />

information given to me by two experienced<br />

observers, Mr. McNeill and Sir P. Egerton, it<br />

seems that young stags under three years old<br />

do not roar or bellow; and that the old ones<br />

begin bellowing at the commencement <strong>of</strong> the<br />

breeding-season, at first only occasionally and<br />

moderately, whilst they restlessly wander<br />

about in search <strong>of</strong> the females. <strong>The</strong>ir battles are<br />

prefaced by loud and prolonged bellowing, but<br />

during the actual conflict they are silent. Animals<br />

<strong>of</strong> all kinds which habitually use their<br />

voices utter various noises under any strong<br />

emotion, as when enraged and preparing to<br />

fight; but this may merely be the result <strong>of</strong> nervous<br />

excitement, which leads to the spasmodic<br />

contraction <strong>of</strong> almost all the muscles <strong>of</strong> the body,<br />

as when a man grinds his teeth and clen-

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