184 THE MUNTJAK. 



the limits of the skull, they assume a cylindrical, 

 somewhat compressed form, and constitute, on each 

 side, a pedestal three inches in length, which, in its 

 whole extent, is coveted with integuments and hair, 

 and at the extremity is crowned with a notched 

 margin or burr supporting the hairs." 



It has been observed by some naturalists, that we 

 remain in uncertainty whether the Muntjak sheds ita 

 horns only once, or yearly. If the former were the 

 case, it would shew a beautiful gradation of structure 

 between the true deer with deciduous horns, and 

 those animals where they rise from the bone of the 

 forehead and are persistent. This will be better 

 understood by looking at the annexed figures of the 

 head and horns, from Horsfield's Illustrations. See 

 Plate XX. 



The most favourite haunts of the Muntjak in 

 Java, are the moderately elevated grounds, diversi- 

 fied by ridges and valleys, tending towards the ac- 

 clivities of the more considerable mountains, or ap- 

 proaching the confine of extensive forests. Sac- 

 charum spicatum and Phyllanthus embHca are-among 

 the most abundant plants in these districts, and con- 

 stitute its principal food, together with several other 

 malvaceous plants, which are also greedily eaten. 

 The Muntjak is often hunted by the Europeans and 

 natives of rank. , When started, its flight is very swift, 

 and, taking a circular course, it generally returns to 

 the spot whence it was raised. If the pursuit be con- 

 tinued, it thrusts its head into a thicket, and remains 



