Dr. P. L. Sclater on the Deer of Formosa, 395 



1861, the female presented by Mr. Wilks produced a male calf; and 

 there seems every probability of this Deer doing well in this country. 



With regard, however, to the Formosan Deer {Cervus ta'evanus or 

 taiouanus)y I was certainly wrong in supposing it to be the same as 

 the Japanese Cervus sika. Knowing nothing about it, except from 

 .Mr. Blyth's description, I supposed that he who created the species 

 was to be trusted when he destroyed it. I therefore put faith in 

 what Mr. Blyth wrote in a letter to me (dated July 4th, 1860), that 

 he was then "satisfied" that the Formosan and Japanese Deer were 

 of " one and the same species." It appears, however, from what Mr. 

 Swinhoe says (see P. Z. S. 1861, p. 235), that all the living Deer 

 sent to Mr. Blyth were of the Japanese species, and that Mr. Blyth 

 never had the Formosan species alive*. Mr. Blyth's comparison, 

 therefore, was made between animals of the same species. 



All doubt, however, as to the perfect distinctness of the Formosan 

 Deer from the Japanese Cervus sika is removed since we have re- 

 ceived the fine male of the Cervus ta'evanus^ presented to us by our 

 Corresponding Member, Mr. Swinhoe, in December last. It will be 

 evident to any one who inspects this animal and compares it with 

 the adjoining specimen of Cervus sika, that, though probably nearly 

 allied to the latter and belonging to the same group of Deer, it is 

 quite distinct specifically. Its larger size and the deep-red colouring 

 of the posterior part of the neck are quite sufficient to distinguish 

 it. "With the true form of the horns in Cervus ta'evanus we are not 

 yet acquainted, owing to our specimen having broken and worn down 

 his horns while in confinement. 



But we have to thank Mr. Swinhoe (who is now Vice- Consul in 

 Formosa) for another and most valuable addition to our series of 

 Deer. On April 28th, a specimen of what I suppose Mr. Swinhoe 

 to mean by the " Roe-Deer"-!* of Formosa arrived, and is now doing 

 well in our Menagerie. It turns out to be a species of the Rusine 

 group of Deer, quite distinct from any of the four species of this 



* Mr. Blyth says, " Mr. Sclater is -wrong in identifying the Japanese and For- 

 mosan species" (Journ. As. Soc. Beng. 1861, p. 192, note); but he neglects to 

 add that my mistake arose from the incorrect information with which he himself 

 had furnished me. 



t Mr. Swinhoe writes to me, " Four if not five Deer are on their way to you. 

 The buck (C. taevanus) left me in high condition ; and a lovely animal he was. 

 The doe of the same species sent was with young ; and I have some apprehensions 

 about her. The two buck Roe-Deer will, I think, delight the Society, as they 

 must surely be new species. I did not know of their existence till my visit to 

 Taiwanfoo. They are known to the Chinese here as Cheeangs, and are procured 

 by them from the aborigines of the inner hills. The C. taevaniis, which is pro- 

 cured from the same savages, is distinguished as the Lok or Stag ; and the Cer^ 

 vulm as the Kiung. I have seen nothing as yet of the Bear or the Mountain 

 Sheep, said to be found in Formosa ; but since my arrival here I have sent a fine 

 pair of Monkeys to my friend in Hong Kong for transmission to the Gardens. 

 They may turn out novelties, and I have no doubt you would like more ; so I will 

 try and procure a few more. The Tortoises from Southern Formosa I take to be 

 peculiar, and I have accordingly forwarded you a few ; I have also preserved some 

 in spirits." [These Tortoises have arrived, and turn out to be Emvs Bennetiiif 

 Gray.— P. L. S.] 



