Plistocene Muflon 165 



Although the complete rounding-ofF of the outer front angle of the 

 horns is considered distinctive of the Cyprian race, Messrs. Alston and 

 Danford, as mentioned above, have recorded examples of the typical main- 

 land race in which the same teature is displayed, so that the two forms 

 are evidently very closely allied. 



Distri/nttion. — The Troodos Mountains of Cyprus. These mountains 

 form the western central portion of the island, with their central peak 

 rising to a height of 6500 feet above the sea-level. " Here," writes Col. 

 Biddulph, " the wild sheep have a considerable area of pine-clad mountain 

 to wander over, disturbed only by occasional wood-cutters and peasants 

 herding goats and sheep. At the time of the first occupation in 1878 

 it was supposed that the wild sheep had been exterminated with the 

 exception of a single Hock of twenty-five members, and a check was 

 placed on their slaughter. Since then their numbers have increased, 

 and it may be hoped that under modified restrictions mulion-stalking in 

 Troodos may long continue to be one of the sports of Cyprus." 



3. The Plistocene Muflon — Ovis savini [Extinct) 



Ciiprovis savii!!^ Newton, Geo/. Mag. decade 2, vol. vii. p. 449 (1880), 

 Vertcbrata of Forest-Bed [Mem. Geo/. Surv. United Kingi/on/), p. 49, pi. x. 

 (1882), Vertebrata of Pliocene Deposits of Britain {Mem. Geo/. Surv. United 

 Kingdom) , p. 22 ( i 89 1 ) . 



Ovis savini., Lydekker, Brit. Mamm. (Allen's Nat. Li/?rary), p. ^09 

 (1895). 



C/iaracters. — Founded upon the imperfect right halt of a frontlet with 

 the greater portion of the horn-core attached, now in the British Museum. 

 In size and general curvature this specimen agrees very closely with the 

 corresponding portion of the skull of the Armenian race of the Asiatic 

 muflon, to which species it seems probable that the Plistocene wild sheep 



