26 MAMMALIA. PECORA. Cervus. 



II. Horns simple and deciduous. 

 Gen. XXV. CERVUS. Deer. — Horns, when growing, co- 

 vered by a soft velvety skin, which ultimately dries up, 

 and is rubbed off. 



39. C. Elaphus. Stag or Red-Deer. — Horns branched, round, 



and recurved. 



Cervus, Merr. Pin. p. 1C6 — Sibb. Scot. p. 9 — Ray, Quad. p. C4. C. EL 

 —Lin. Syst. 1. p. 93 W, Carw; G, Fiadh. 



The stag is about 3£ feet in height. In the Duke of Athol's grounds some 

 have beenshot, which weighed upwards of 18 stones (Stat. Ac xx. p. 470.). 

 The female is gravid eight months, and brings forth one at a birth. It was 

 formerly abundant throughout the kingdom, but is now, in consequence of 

 the influence of society, nearly confined to the remoter districts of Scotland 

 and England. In some of the latter regions it proves very destructive to 

 corn in harvest, but is gradually disappearing with the extension of sheep- 

 farming. 



The fossil remains of this species are widely distributed, occurring in peat 

 and marl-beds, clay, and the silt of rivers. The horns, which chiefly attract 

 notice, and find a place in geological collections, are of larger dimensions than 

 those which belong to the recent individuals. The same remark applies to the 

 fossil ox. Nor need this circumstance excite surprise, when we take into 

 consideration the extensive forests and meadows with which the country 

 abounded, furnishing protection and sustenance ; and the advanced age to 

 which many individuals might, Avhen free from the persecution of man, be 

 permitted to attain. 



40. C. Capreolus. Roe. — Horns branched, round, erect, with 



bifid summits. 



Capreolus, Merr. Pin. p. 106 — Sibb. Scot. p. 9 — Capria Plinii, Ray, Quad, 

 p. 89 C. cap. Lin. Syst. 1. p. 94. — W, Jwrch ; G, Earha. 



The height of this species is about 2\ feet. The female is gravid five 

 months and a half, and produces two at a birth. This species was formerly 

 equally extensively disli-ibuted with the stag, but is now in a great measure 

 confined to the district of Scotland to the north of the Forth. In Fife they 

 have reappeared of late years, in consequence of the increase of plantations. 



41. C. Dama. Fallow-Deer. — Horns branched, recurved, 

 compressed, and palmated at the top. 



Dama, Merr. Pin. p. 166 — C. platyceros, Ray, Syn. Quad. p. 85 — C. D. 

 Lin. Syst. 1. p. 93 — IF, Hydd. 

 This species is more gentle in its dispositions than either of the preceding, 

 and is consequently better fitted for being kept in parks. The female is gra- 

 vid eight months, and produces one, two, or even three at a birth. Doubts 

 seem to be entertained whether the fallow-deer be an indigenous animal, 

 though the evidence on which its claims rest is far from doubtful. Lesley 

 (De Or. Scot. p. 5.) mentions, among the objects which the huntsman pur- 

 sued with dogs, " Cervum, damam, aut capream." In the Statistical Account 

 of Ardchattan, Argyleshire (vol. vi. p. 175-), it is said, that " fallow-deer run 

 wild in the woods, of a much superior size and flavour to any of their species 

 that are confined in parks." Indistinct traces of this species seem likewise to 

 occur among the alluvial deposits. Thus, Professor Buckland (llel. Dil. p. 18.) 

 found teeth in the Kirkdale Cave, " nearly of the size and form of the fallow- 

 deer." In the Statistical Account of the Parish of Kinloch, Perthshire 



