KANCHIL, OR PIGMY MUSK.—Tragulus pygmeus. 
project considerably beyond the jaw. In shape they are compressed, pointed, and rather 
sharp-edged. The natives say that their principal use is in digging up the kastooree 
plant, a kind of subterranean bulb on which the Musk Deer feeds, “and which imparts 
the pecuhar perfume to the odorous secretion. The musk is produced in a glandular 
pouch placed in the abdomen, and when the animal is killed for the sake of this treasure, 
the musk-bag is carefully removed, so as to defend its precious contents from exposure to 
the air. When securely taken from the animal, the musk is of so powerful an odour as 
to cause headache to those who inhale its overpowering fragrance. The affluence of 
perfume that resides in the musk is almost incredible, for a small piece of this wonderful 
secretion May remain in a room for many years, and at the end of that time will give 
forth an odour which is apparently not the least diminished by time. 
On account of the value of the musk, the animal which furnishes the precious 
substance is subjected to great persecution on the part of the hunters, who annually 
destroy great numbers of these active little animals. The native hunters await the season 
of migration, while the Deer are forced to pass into more clement latitudes in search of 
subsistence, and beset their path with various traps, besides seizing every opportunity of 
destroying them by missiles. Although so good a leaper, and so well ‘adapted for traversing 
the rocky crags of its native hills, the Musk Deer is not a ver y good climber, and descends 
slopes with great difficulty. 
ANOTHER member of the Moschine group is the Kancutt, or Piamy Musk (Trdgulus 
pygmeus), 2 Deer which is found in the Asiatic islands, and which is as celebrated for its 
cunning as is the fox among ourselves. 
This animal is not nearly so large as the musk Deer, and although somewhat similar 
in colour, may be distinguished by a broad black stripe which runs along the back of the 
neck, and forms a wide band across the chest. Instead of living in the cold and lofty 
mountain ranges which are inhabited by the musk Deer, the Kanchil prefers the thickly 
ieee districts of the Javanese forests. Like many other animals, the Kanchil is given 
“possuming,” or feigning death when it is taken in a noose or trap, and as soon as the 
Rael hunter releases the clever actor from the retaining cord, it leaps upon its feet 
and darts away before he has recovered from his surprise. 
