Which Phoebus calls and terms.

 

Chapter 21.

Of the Heads and Branches of Harts, and of their diversities.

Harts bear their heads in divers sorts and manners, some well-grown, some other ill-grown and worse spread, some other again counterset, and all this according to the age, country, feed and rest they have. And you must note they bear not their first head we call broches (in a Fallow Deer pricks), until they enter the second year of their age. In the third year of thei age, they ought to bear four, six or eight small branches; at their fouth year, they bear eight or ten; at five, ten or twelve; at six, twelve, fourteen or sixteen; and at their seventh year, they bear their heads beamed, branched, and some with as much as ever they will bear, and never multiply therein but only in greatness, and according to the feed and rest they shall have. 

After they have once accomplished their seventh year, they will bear marks on their heads, sometimes more, and sometimes less, although men shall always know the old Harts by these tokens, which follow.

First, when the compass of the burr is large and great, well-pearled, and near unto the moisture of the head.

Secondly, when the beam is great, burnished, and well-pearled, being straight and not made crooked by the antlers.

Thirdly, when the gutters therein are great and deep.

Also, if the first antler (which Phoebus calls and terms antoiller) is great, long, and near to the burr; the surantler near unto the antler, the which ought a little to enlarge itself somewhat more from the beam than the first, and yet it should not be too long, and they ought to be both well-pearled. All these things betoken an old Hart.

Also, the rest of the branches or horns which are higher, being well-ordered and set, and well-grown according to the bigness and proportion of the head, and the croches, palm or crown being great and large according to the bigness of the beam are tokens of an old Hart, and if the croches aloft double together in the crown or palm, it is a sign of a great old Hart. 

Also, when Harts have their heads large and open, it signifies they are old, rather than when they are crooked and close-bowed; and because many men cannot understand the names and diversities of heads according to the terms of hunting, I have thought good here to cuase them to be portrayed and set forth with little explications to specify the name of every branch or part, as hereunder is declared.

The thing that bears the antlers, royals and tops ought to be called the beam, and the little cliffs or streaks therein are called gutters. That which is about the crust of the beam itself in form of little pearls is called pearls bigger than the rest. 

A. This is called the burr, and that which is about the burr is called pearls.

B. This first is called antler.

C. The second surantler.

D. All the rest which grow afterwards until you come to the crown, palm or croche are called royals and surroyals. 

E. These little buds or broches which are about the top are called croches.

This head should be called a crowned top, because the croches which are placed and frown about the height thereof are ranged in form of a crown, although there are but few such seem nowadays, unless it be in Hight Almaine or Moscovie. 

This head should be called a palmed top, because the croches which grow in the top are formed like unto a man's hand, and therefore it is to be called a palm top. 

All heads which bear not above three or four, the croches being placed aloft all of one height in form of a cluster of pears or of nuts, are to be called heads of so many croches. 

All heads which bear two in the top, or having their croches doubling in manner as these are here portrayed, are to be called forked heads, because the croches are planted on the top of the beams like unto forks. 

All heads which have double burrs, or the antlers, royals and croches turned downwards contrary to the fashion of other heads, as you may see by this present portraiture, or such like other fashions, are to be called heads only.