Antlers in the Velvet

the growing, nonossified antlers of deer, which are covered with a soft, velvety skin with hairs. Such antlers are obtained from red deer and Japanese deer. The antlers, which are cut from the live or slaughtered animal and preserved by boiling and drying, yield the medicinal preparation pantocrine. Since the end of the 19th century, young deer have been bred for their antlers in the velvet. (See DEER RAISING.)