50 ZOOLOGY OF INDIA. 



found throughout India and the islands of the archipelago, 

 but is most abundant in Bengal and on the banks of the 

 Gantres. Being an inhabitant of a country where the revo- 

 lutions of the season do not produce alternately the extremes 

 of heat and cold, the stag of the Ganges, unlike the spe- 

 cies of most other countries, is coloured in a similar man- 

 ner throughout the year. The antlers attain to a consider- 

 able size as the animal increases in years ; but they are 

 always of a simple form, bearing only a single frontal 

 branch or snag, and the main stem forming two terminal 

 forks. This species has been frequently imported into 

 England and France, in both of which countries it propa- 

 gates freely. According to Peter Collinson, they have even 

 bred with the fallow-deer. Their sense of smell, as ob- 

 served by Pennant, is so singularly acute, that although re- 

 markably fond of bread, they will not eat it if it has been 

 previously blown upon ; and M. F. Cuvier confirms this 

 trait in their character, by stating that he has observed them 

 refuse that favourite article after it had been much handled 

 by the keepers. Their disposition in a state of captivity is 

 remarkably mild and accommodating. 



A large fulvous variety of the axis, with high shoulders 

 and two rows of oval white spots upon the back, is found 

 in the Rohilla country and the Dacca districts. These are 

 the true hog-deer of Indian sportsmen on the Cossimbuzar 

 Island, in the Jungleterry, and Bahar. The forests of Ce}'- 

 lon produce a large variety, with a straight back like a cow. 

 The oval spots are wanting ; the face is entirely of a buff- 

 colour, with a rather prolonged nose. " In India," says 

 Major Smith, " all the varieties are known by the general 

 name of hog-deer, and are called in the Moorish language, 

 used in the country, parrah. They are found most usually 

 in the heavy grass jungles in the lower provinces, and to 

 the northward in the Jaw and Jurput jungles along the 

 banks of rivers ; they feed in preference on the silky grass 

 used for making twine, called nioonge, if it be found near 

 some heavy covers, where they breed, and from whence the 

 female leads her fawns in twelve or fifteen days after birth. 

 They are extremely indolent, feeding at night, and passing 

 most of the day in sleep ; and, perhaps, on that account 

 they are averse to, and will not remain in the vicinity of 

 wild peafowl. They are fleet for a short distance. The 



