167. 



THE SPOTTED AXIS. 

 Axis aculatus. SMITH. 

 PLATE XIII. 



A|/j, of the ancients. Cervus Axis of authors I/ Axis, 

 Fred. Cuvier, Hist. Nat. des Mammif. Subgenus Axis 

 Hamilt. Smith, Griffith's Cuv. iv. 116. & Synops. 



THIS beautiful and graceful deer has been by all 

 its describers compared with the European fallow- 

 deer, from the nearness of size, and the similarity of 

 colouring. The form of the horns, however, at once 

 distinguish it, being destitute of palmation, or broad- 

 ening at the tips, and the skin, in all its changes from 

 the seasons, always retaining the spotted appearance. 

 The spotted Axis is abundant in Bengal, upon the 

 anks of the Ganges, and in many of the eastern 

 /knds ; and by the British sportsmen in India is 

 frequently hunted under the appellation of the Spotted 

 Hog -deer. They frequent chiefly the thick matted 

 jungles in the vicinity of water, are extremely timo- 

 rous and indolent, and feed during the night. In 

 these shelters they also produce their young, at which 

 period the bucks lay aside their timidity and boldly 

 act on the defensive against any assailant. In con- 



