RODRI'GUEZ, ALFONSO, 1526-1616; b. Spain. After graduating in theology at. the Salamanca college in 1545, he became a Jesuit. He was made instructor in theology at Salamanca, and later was rector of the Monterey college. He was celebrated as an abstruse theologian of the casuists' school. In the latter part of his life he lived at Valla dolid, Montilla, and Seville. His works on the Practice of Christian Perfection was translated into many languages.
ROE, Cervus capreolus, or Capreolus dorcas, a species of deer (q.v.) inhabiting Europe and some parts of Asia, chiefly in hilly or mountainous regions either covered with for ests or with scattered bushes and heath. It is seldom found in the higher and more naked mountain tracts, the haunt of the stag or red deer. It was once plentiful in Wales and in the hilly parts of England, as well as in the s. of Scotland, but is scarcely now to be seen in any part of Britain s. of Perthshire. It is not long since it was pretty common in some of the wilder parts of the n. of England. The roe is about 2 ft. 3 in. in height at the shoulder. Its weight is about 50 or 60 lbs. Its color is a shining tawny brown in summer, more dull and grizzled in winter, the lower parts and part. around the tail white. There is considerable variety in the shade of color. The hair is longer than in many deer. The tail is very short, concealed among the hair. The horns, which are peculiar to the male (the roebuck), are 8 or 9 in. long, erect, round, very rough, longitudinally furrowed; having, in mature animals, two tines or branches, which, as well as the tip of the horn, are sharp-pointed, so that the horns of the roe become very dangerous weapons when used for offense. The ears are large. The hab
its of the roe somewhat approach to those of the goat, or even of the chamois. It keeps its footing on rocks'with great security, bounds very actively, and takes great leaps. its. usual pace, when not very hard pressed, is, however, a kind of canter. It isnot gregarious. not more than a buck and doe with one or two fawns being usually seen together. Contrary to what is usual among deer, the male and female roe remain attached during life. Thu voice of the roe, resembling that of a sheep, but shorter and more barking, is often heard through the night in regions where it is plentiful. The browsing of the roe is very injurious to young woods, a circumstance which has led to its extirpation in places. it would otherwise have been cherished. It feeds much on the tender shoots of trees and bushes as well as on herbage. The venison is superior to that of the stag, but. not equal to that of the fallow-deer. The horns are used for handles of carving knives, etc. The roe is never very thoroughly tamed, and when partially so, is apt to become mischievous and the male dangerous.—Another species of roe (cervus or capreo lus pygargus), rather larger than the common roe, is found in Tartary.