THE ANTLERS. 



229 



notch, wliich is an extension of the posterior edge of the pahn, 

 extends two inches and three lines to the point on tlie right 

 antler, and on the left one and one half inches. The anterior 

 edge of the palm is thickest and it thins down gradnally to the 

 posterior edge, which is sharp for its whole length. The com- 

 pression is lateral. The directions of the antlers for the lower 

 half are outward, then they gracefully curve in slightly inward 

 directions, when they approach each other for the upper half, 

 so that the points are but four and one half inches apart, while 

 at the point of widest separation they are six inches and ten 

 lines asunder. 



No tubercles appear above the burrs, but the longitudinal 

 channels for the arteries of the periosteum are very distinct. 

 There are no tines proper on these antlers, but the basal snags 

 are unusually developed for the size of the antlers. The notches 

 at the ends present distinct points, so that we may be justified in 

 saying that each antler presents three points. These antlers are 

 remarkably stout for their length and worn quite smooth by 

 abrasion. 



These antlers, it will be observed, are much more palmate than 

 any of the others, except the moose and the caribou, which this 

 deer also resembles, as we have already seen, in the absence of the 

 metatarsal gland ; and so in another important feature, also, we 

 see these extremes meet where they widely differ from the inter- 

 mediate species. 



On a young buck which I have of this species, the first antlers 

 were deformed from injuries. The second antlers are two and 

 one half inches long, with a rudimentary basal snag, showing as 

 yet no tendency to flatten. I have another pair from a two-year 

 old buck much smaller than these, but with the same character- 

 istics. 



The antlers on the Ceylon buck in my grounds, which in size, 

 form, and color, most resembles the Acapulco deer, may not be 

 entirely neglected. Those of the first pair grown on this buck 

 after I got him are considerably smaller than those first described ; 

 they are straighter and much more cylindrical, although they 

 show a little disposition to flatten towards the ends. 



But the most striking feature is a long brow-tine in place of 

 the basal snag. This tine is stout and nearly half the length of 



the antler. 



The second antlers grown on this buck in my grounds more 



