74 



THE KANCHIL, OR PIGMY MOUSE. 



considerably beyond the jaw. In shape they are compressed, pointed, and rathet 

 sharp-edged. The natives say that their principal use is in digging up the kastooree 

 plant, a kind of subterranean bulb on which the Musk Deer feeds, and which imparts 

 the peculiar perfume to the odorous secretion. The musk is produced in a glandular 

 pouch placed in the abdomen, and when the animal is killed for the sake of this treas- 

 ure, the musk-bag is carefully removed, so as to defend its precious contents from ex- 

 posure to the air. When securely taken -from the animal, the musk is of so powerful 

 an odor -as to cause headache to those who inhale its overpowering fragrance. The 

 affluence of perfume that resides in the musk is almost incredible, for a small piece 

 of this wonderful secretion may remain in a room for many years, and at the end of 

 that time will give forth an odor which is apparently not the least diminished by time. 

 On account of the value of the musk, the animal which furnishes the precious 

 substance is subjected to great persecution on the part of the hunters, who annually 

 destroy great numbers of these active little animals. The native hunters await the 

 season of migration, while the Deer are forced to pass into more clement latitudes in 



KANCHIL, OR PIGMY MUSK. Tragualus pygmaeus. 



search of subsistence, and beset their path with various traps, besides seizing every 

 opportunity of destroying them by missiles. Although so good a leaper, and so well 

 adapted for traversing the rocky crags of its native hills, the Musk Deer is not a very 

 good climber, and descends slopes with great difficulty. 



ANOTHER member of the Moschine group is the KANCHIL, or PIGMY MUCK (Trdgulus 

 pygmceus), a Deer which is found in the Asiatic islands, and which is as celebrated for 

 its cunning as is the fox among ourselves. 



This animal is not nearly so large as the Musk Deer, and although somewhat similar 

 in color, may be distinguished by a broad black stripe which runs along the back of 

 the neck, and forms a wide band across the chest. Instead of living in the cold and 

 lofty mountain ranges which are inhabited by the Musk Deer, the Kanchil prefers the 

 thickly wooded districts of the Javanese forests. Like many other animals, the Kanchil 

 is given to " 'possuming," or feigning death when it is taken in a noose or trap, and as 

 soon as the successful hunter releases the clever actor from the retaining cord, it leaps 

 upon its feet and darts away before he has recovered from his surprise. 



