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The next group of animals have been separated 

 from the Rusa by Major Smith, on account of some 

 distinction which by other zoologists are scarcely 

 considered sufficiently important. They are cer- 

 tainly very closely allied, inhabiting also the jungles 

 and forests of continental India, and the islands of 

 the eastern archipelago. Major Smith's characters 

 of the Axine group are : " Horns similar to the 

 former (Rusa), but more slender; no canines ; small 

 or no suborbital opening; generally spotted with 

 white ; no mane ; tail down to the houghs ; size 

 middling or small." The most anciently known 

 animal, which will exhibit the form, is 



