534 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON CERTAIN SPECIES OF DEER 
allowed to enter it. It is stated to contain Deer of different species’, and herds of 
Antilope gutturosa, besides the Elaphures. M. David saw from the wall more than a 
hundred of the last-named animal, which he described as resembling a “ long-tailed 
Rein-deer with very large horns.” At that time he was unable, in spite of every effort, 
to get specimens of it, but, being acquainted with some of the Tartar soldiers who 
mounted guard in the park, subsequently succeeded in obtaining the examples upon 
which M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards founded his description of this remarkable animal. 
Shortly after this M. Henri de Bellonet, Chargé d’ Affaires of the French Legation at 
Pekin, managed to procure a living pair of Elaphures from the Imperial Park, and 
kept them for nearly two years in a court near the Embassy in that city. Upon his 
return to Paris in the summer of 1867, M. de Bellonet, having heard of our applications 
to our correspondents at Pekin to obtain living examples of this animal, was kind enough 
to place this pair at the disposal of the Society upon our undertaking the expense of 
their removal to this country. This the Council willingly agreed to, and application 
was at once made to H.E. Sir Rutherford Alcock and our other correspondents at Pekin 
to make arrangements for their transport. Unfortunately, however, these animals died 
before this could be effected; but the skin and skeleton of the male were carefully pre- 
served under Sir Rutherford Alcock’s directions and forwarded to the Society along 
with two pairs of the shed horns of the same animal. ‘They were exhibited at our 
meeting on November 12, 1868, after which the skin was deposited in the British 
Museum and the skeleton and horns in the Museum of the Royal College of 
Surgeons?. 
Meanwhile Sir Rutherford Alcock lost no time in making application to the Chinese 
authorities for other specimens, and, after interviews with Prince Kung and other high 
officials, ultimately succeeded in procuring several young pairs, one of which reached 
the Society’s Gardens in perfect health and condition on the 2nd of August last’. 
The illustration (Pl. XXVIII.) represents this pair of Elaphures shortly after their 
arrival. It will be observed that the male is growing his young horns. I will adda 
few remarks which occur to me on examination of these interesting animals. 
The general aspect of the Elaphure is much more like that of the true Cervi than I 
had anticipated from the description and figure of M. Milne-Edwards. ‘The only two 
very noticeable points of distinction, besides the horns of the male, which are not at 
lung used often to hunt there. Several villages are in the enclosure, which is given up to pasture; herds of 
oxen and horses, and flocks of sheep for the use of the Court are fed there; and great numbers of deer are 
seen in all directions. It is simply an Imperial domain, and was used as a hunting-ground by the Court when 
public business did not permit a sojourn in the wild hunting-grounds of ‘Tartary.”—Locxuarz, in J. R. G. 8. 
xxxyl. p. 148. 
' Cervus aanthopygus, Cervus mantchuricus, and Capreolus pugargqus, according to Mr. Swinhoe. 
* This skeleton has since been beautifully mounted, and now stands in the centre of the inner room of the 
Museum. I believe it is still the only complete skeleton of this animal in Europe. 
® See P. Z. 8. 1869, p. 468. 
