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. Momus was but
dull-sighted in making this hostile criticism. For had the horns
been set on the shoulders, or had they been set on any other part than
they are, the encumbrance of their weight would have been increased,
not only without any compensating gain whatso::ver, but with the
disadvantage of impeding many bodily operations. For the point
whence the blows could be delivered with the greatest force was not
the only matter to be considered, but the point also whence they could
be delivered with the widest range. But as the bull has no hands and
cannot possibly have its horns on its feet or on its knees, where they
would prevent flexion, there remains no other site for them but the
head; and this therefore they necessarily occupy. In this position,
moreover, they are much less in the way of the movements of the body
than they would be elsewhere.
Deer are the only animals in which the horns are solid throughout,
and are also the only animals that cast them. This casting is not
simply advantageous to the deer from the increased lightness which
it produces, but, seeing how heavy the horns are, is a matter of
actual necessity.
In all other animals the horns are hollow for a certain distance,
and the end alone is solid, this being the part of use in a blow. At
the same time, to prevent even the hollow part from being weak, the
horn, though it grows out of the skin, has a solid piece from the
bones fitted into its cavity
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