RUMINANTIA : CERVID^. 57 



The Daim or Fallow Deer, C. dama, Linn., originally 

 from Barbary, but now common throughout Europe, is 

 smaller than the stag, and is the species common in 

 parks of the wealthy, especially in England. 



The Axis Deer, C. axis, Linn., indigenous to India, but 

 domesticated in Europe, is about the size of the Fallow 

 Deer, and is always of a rich fawn color spotted with 

 white. 



The European Roebuck, C, capreolus, Linn., is a very 

 small deer weighing only about sixty pounds, and in- 

 habiting the high mountains of the temperate parts of 

 Europe. 



It is claimed that in the Adirondack region there is a 

 variety of the common deer whose antlers are merely 

 short, sharp-pointed spikes. Deer of this sort are called 

 " Spikehorn Bucks." 



Every naturalist and every other intelligent person 

 should exert his influence in favor of preserving from ex- 

 tinction our various species of the Deer and of the other 

 wild ruminants of our country. Although the common 

 deer is yet abundant in some parts of North America* 

 the desire which men have to shoot deer, and the demand 

 for venison, are causing this beautiful animal to steadily 

 diminish in numbers ; and in a comparatively few years 

 it will be one of the rare animals of our country. The 

 Moose, once abundant in Maine and other northern por- 

 tions of the country, is already a rare animal within the 

 limits of the United States. And the Wapiti of the 

 Northwest will soon be as rare as the Moose is in the 

 East. 



Both of the latter animals, at least, should not only be 



preserved from extinction, but they should be added to 



our stock of domestic animals. These desirable results, 



however, cannot reasonably be hoped for except through 



3* 



