CERVIDjE 



101 



curved brow-tine, formiDg a continuation of the curve of 

 the beam, which is set at right angles to the pedicle; the 

 beam unbranched for a considerable distance, curving back- 

 wards, then outwards and finally forwards, after which it is 

 dichotomously forked ; the outer branch of the terminal fork 

 more complex than the inner one, the number of terminal 

 points varying from two or three to at least eight or ten ; 

 one or more prominent snags usually developed at the 

 junction of the brow-tine with the beam ; the curve of the 

 two antlers usually more or less asymmetrical ; colour in 



FIG. 20. HEAD OF THAMIN (Cervus [Rucervus] eldi). 



winter typically dark brown above, and white below, some- 

 times with a white mark above the eye ; in winter fawn- 

 coloured above and pale brown beneath ; females paler rufous 

 fawn ; new-born young generally spotted on the rump with 

 white ; in a more rufous phase spots persist till a late period ; 

 metatarsal gland represented by a tuft of hairs paler than 

 those of the rest of the leg, and a patch of underlying 

 glandular skin. 



Fine antlers measure from 34 to 42 inches along the 

 outer curve, with a basal girth of from 4 to 6, and a tip-to- 

 tip interval of from 21^ to 31J inches. 



