530 CEHTIDiE. 



Family CERVID^. 



Horns, when present, taking the form of sohd antlers, without 

 core or horny sheath, and shed periodically. With but few 

 exceptions (and those not Indian) the horns are confined to the 

 male sex. A large lachrymal fissure in the skull. Upper canines 

 generally present in both sexes. Molars more or less bracbydont, 

 the first molar in both jaws especially so. The latei"al digits 

 almost always present on all feet, and frequently the distal ends of 

 the metapodials. No gall-bladder except in Mosclms. A small 

 muffle almost always developed. Infraorbital glands always present, 

 and interdigital generally. MammsB always four, inguinal. Pla- 

 centa with few cotyledons. 



The horns are composed of true bone, and during their growth 

 are enclosed in a hairy integument supplied with blood-vessels, and 

 known as the " velvet.'"' When the growth is complete the inte- 

 gument dries and peels off. The horns are shed, as a rule, annually, 

 and are replaced by others in the course of from three to six mouths. 

 The horns increase in size year by year up to maturity, but aged 

 staffs bear small and inferior horns. 



Fig. 172. — Crowns of (a) upper and {b) lower second true molars of Cervits 

 unicolor, inner side uppermost.. 



Two subfamilies are recognized ; both are Indian, and they are 

 thus distinguished : — 



Horns generally present in males. No gall-bladder . . Cervince. 

 No horns. A gall-bladder MoscMncn. 



The true deer are widely distributed, being found througliout 

 the Pala^arctic and Oriental regions of the Old World, and in both 

 North and South America, but they are wanting in Africa south of 

 the Sahara, and, of course, in Australia. 



The following terms are applied to the horns of deer : — Each 

 entire horn is composed of a "beam" or main stem, and minor 

 branches known as " tines," " antlers," or " snags." Sometimes 

 the beam and branches are flattened or " palraated," as in the elk 

 and fallow-deer, but geiK^rally they are rounded. The whole horn 

 rests on a bony support or " pedicel," which is never shed, and 



