36 SIR V. BROOKE ON THE GENUS CERVULUS. [Jan. 6, 



bones — the astragalus (Astr), the confluent navicular and cuboid bone 

 (N & Cub), that of the second and third cuneiform (3, 2), and the 

 first cuneiform (1). In the adult tarsus of Cervulus (fig. Id), in 

 several specimens which I have examined, there are but four separate 

 bones ; these bones are the calcaneum, the astragalus, and then a 

 large nearly square bone (fig, 1 d, Cub, N, 3, 2) with a small space 

 cut out of its interno-posterior surface for the reception of a very small 

 bone (fig. Id, I), which appears, from its relation to the surrounding 

 parts, unquestionably to represent the first cuneiform. Nor can there, 

 I think, be much doubt that the large square bone of the tarsus of 

 Cervulus represents the naviculo- cuboid bone of the ordinary Pecora, 

 plus the confluent second and third cuneiforms. The order of the 

 successive steps of the anchylosis of these separate parts appears to 

 me of considerable interest ; I find in the skeleton of the very young 

 specimen of Cervulus sclateri above mentioned (fig. 1 e), that the 

 distal row of the tarsus consists of two nearly equal-sized bones 

 (Cub & N, 2, 3), and the very small first cuneiform (1). Anchy- 

 losis appears to be just commencing between the two larger bones. 

 In the skeleton of a Fallow Deer of similar age (fig. 1 /) the navicular 

 and cuboid present a condition similar to that exhibited by these 

 two large bones in the tarsus of Cervulus. It would therefore 

 appear that the unusual condition of the anchylosis of the navicular 

 and confluent second and third cuneiforms obtains in Cervulus at au 

 earlier age than the ordinary condition, amongst the Cervidse, of the 

 confluence of the navicular and cuboid bones. An interesting question 

 naturally follows, and one which palaeontology will doubtless one day 

 answer. Is the history of the tarsus of the individual an epitome of 

 that of the entire form ? If so, Cervulus and Cervus will be found 

 segregated far into the geological past ; and in considering the genea- 

 logy of the latter, no species need be taken into consideration that 

 exhibits the cervuline tarsus — the converse obtaining with equal force, 

 no species presenting a cervine tarsus being likely to have held a 

 place in the pedigree of Cervulus. 



The tarsus of Cervus pudu resembles that of Cervulus. In Hyo- 

 moschus the second and third cuneiforms are either suppressed or 

 anchylosed to the proximal end of the third metatarsal. 



In the Cervidse the reduction of the second and fifth metacarpals 

 appears to have followed two distinct paths. In one the reduction 

 takes place from above downwards, the proximal ends of these 

 bones disappearing, the distal ends remaining articulated by synovial 

 joints with their respective phalanges (fig. 2 a). Following this 

 method I have observed Alces, Rangifer, Moschus, Hydropotes, 

 Cervus capreolus, Caassus, Cariacus, and Cervus pudu. In the 

 other, reduction appears to have crept from below upwards, the 

 proximal ends of the bones remaining separated consequently from 

 their phalangeal extremities (fig. 2 b). Following this second method 

 are Rusa, Hyelaphus, Cervus dama, Cervus magaceros, Cervus ela- 

 phus and its allies, Elaphurus davidianus, and Cervulus. Cervulus, 

 however, in this respect (see fig. 2, c), as well as in the condition of 

 the tarsus, shows an advance in specialization, all the phalanges of 



