MOSCHTTS. 551 



gregarious, it being rare to find more than two or three together, 

 though several may be met with in the same small tract. As a 

 rule, however, individuals of both sexes are solitary. These animals 

 are somewhat ungainly in their movements ; they run awkwardly, 

 with the head low. As already stated, they have frequently been 

 speared, but generally give a good run before being caught ; 

 they are naturally more often found on ground suitable for riding 

 than other Indian deer. Generally they are shot off elephants. 

 The ruttiug-season is in September and October according to 

 Jerdon. The period of gestation is 8 months (P. Z. S. 1863, 

 p. 230). The bucks drop their horns generally in April. 



Subfamily MOSCHIKZE. 



No horns in either sex. A gall-bladder present, as in the 

 Bovidce. A simple orifice to the lachrymal canal, situated just 

 within the anterior margin of the orbit. Hemispheres of brain 

 but slightly convoluted. Cotyledons of placenta arranged in a 

 peculiar linear order. A single genus. 



Genus MOSCHTJS, L. (1766). 



Upper canines in both sexes, greatly developed in males and 

 projecting considerably beyond the mouth. Skull very similar in 



Fig. 180. Skull of Moschus moschiferus. 



form to that of Cervus. Outer metatarsals wanting ; the distal 

 extremities of the outer metacarpals present; all the outer toes 



