502 | MamMatia or INDIA. 
are, as a rule, smaller than those from the north, as is also the case 
with the axis and Indian antelope. But even this rule is subject to 
many exceptions. I have received from Northern India perfectly adult, 
and even slightly aged, specimens of both muntjac and axis inferior in 
size to the average as presented by these species in Southern India. 
These small races are always connected with particular areas, and are 
doubtless the result of conditions sufficiently unfavourable to prevent 
the species reaching the full luxuriance of growth and beauty of which 
it is capable, though not sufficiently rigorous to prevent its existence.” 
In a later article on the Cervidz, written four years afterwards, he 
seems, however, to qualify his opinion in the following words: ‘This 
species appears to attain a larger size in Java, Sumatra, and Borneo 
than it does on the mainland; and I think it not improbable that 
persistent race characters may eventually be found distinguishing the 
muntjac of these islands from that of British India.” 
The rib-face is a retiring little animal, and is generally found alone, or 
at times in pairs. Captain Baldwin mentions four having been seen 
together at one time, and General McMaster mentions three ; but these 
are rare cases. 
It is very subtle in its movements, carrying its head low, and.creeping, 
as Hodgson remarks, like a weasel under tangled thickets and fallen 
timber. In captivity I have found it to be a coarse feeder, and would 
eat meat of all kinds greedily. 
Its canine teeth are very long and sharp, and have a certain amount 
of play in the socket, but Iam unable to state whether they are ever 
used for any purpose, whether of utility or defence. Its call is a hoarse, 
sharp bark, whence it takes its name of barking deer. What Jerdon 
says about the length of its tongue is true ; it can certainly lick a good 
portion of its face with it. 
For excellent detailed accounts of this little deer I must refer 
my readers to Kinloch’s ‘Large Game Shooting,’ and a letter by 
“Hawkeye,” quoted by McMaster’s ‘ Notes on Jerdon.’ My space here 
will not allow of my quoting largely or giving personal experience, but 
both the above articles, as well as Captain Baldwin’s notice, nearly 
exhaust the literature on this subject in a popular way. 
The next development of antler is the rusine type, in which the main 
beam divides at the top into two branches, making with the basal tine 
a horn of three points only. 
