CERVIDsE 



321 



marked. Antlers of a Rusine type, the beam being much 

 curved, and the brow tine usually given off at an acute or 

 right angle. Molars very hypsodont. The coloration of the 

 Axis is more brilliant than that of any other member of the 

 family. 



Here may be noticed a group of Deer mainly characteristic of 

 the eastern Palsearctic region, frequently known as the Pseudaxine 

 group, which appears to connect the Axine with the Elaphine 

 type. Well-known representatives of this group are C. sika (Fig. 

 128) of Japan, C. mantchwicus of China, and C. taevanus of Formosa. 





Fig. 12S. — The Japanese Deer (Cervus sika). From Lord Powerscourt, Proc. Zool. Soc. 



1SS4, p. 209. 



The antlers have a brow and tres tine, and then a forked beam, of 

 which the posterior tine is the smaller. The lachrymal vacuity 

 and fossa are of moderate size ; and the auditory bulla is only 

 muderately inflated, and quite smooth externally. Tail moderate ; 

 neck maned. In summer the coat is spotted, but is plain in 

 winter. A herd of C. sika have been acclimatised in Ireland 

 by Viscount Powerscourt, at Powerscourt, County Wicklow. A 

 number of Deer from the Pliocene of Europe, such as C. perrieri 

 and C. etueriarum, appear to be allied both to the Pseudaxine and 

 Axine groups. 



The Mcqjhine or typical group is at once characterised by the 

 presence of a bez tine to the antlers (Fig. 129), in which the beam 

 is rounded, and splits up near the summit into a larger or smaller 



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