MOSCHUS. 



551 



gregarious, it being rare to find more than two or three together, 

 though several may be met with in the same small tract. As a 

 rule, however, individuals of both sexes are solitary. These animals 

 are somewhat ungainly in their movements ; they run awkwardly, 

 with the head low. As already stated, they have frequently been 

 speared, but generally give a good run before being caught ; 

 they are naturally more often found on ground suitable for riding 

 than other Indian deer. Generally they are shot off elephants. 

 The rutting-season is in September and October according to 

 Jerdon. The period of gestation is 8 months (P. Z. S. 1SG3, 

 p. 230). The bucks drop their horns generally in April. 



Subfamily MOSCHINtE. 



No horns in either sex. A gall-bladder present, as in the 

 Bovidce. A simple orifice to the lachrymal canal, situated just 

 within the anterior margin of the orbit. Hemispheres of brain 

 but shghtly convoluted. Cotyledons of placenta arranged in a 

 peculiar linear order. A single genus. 



Genus MOSCHUS, L. (1766). 



Upper canines in both sexes, greatly developed in males and 

 projecting considerably beyond the mouth. Skull very similar in 



Pig. 180. — Skull of Mosckiis moschiferus. 



form to that of Cervus. Outer metatarsals wanting; the distal 

 extremities of the outer metacarpals present; all the outer toes 



