1876.] 



SIR V. BROOKE ON CERVUS MESOPOTAM ICUS. 



303 



however, that I did not clearly explain that this deer is met with in 

 no part of Arahia, except in the jungles bordering the river Karoon 

 and its tributary the Diz, both of which issue from the hitherto un- 

 explored Luristan Hills. It does not exist in Mesopotamia or any- 

 where near the Euphrates ; and the name Cervus mesopot amicus seems 

 therefore to be a little misleading. I suspect, indeed, that this deer 

 is really a native of the Luristan Hills, and that those I occasionally 

 meet with on the Karoon are a few which wander down along it in the 

 dry season. It is certain that there are more of them on the Karoon 

 during the hot months than in winter. I have got a few horns from 

 Luristan and some Gazelles' skulls from various parts of Arabia, 

 which I shall send you by the first opportunity. Natives tell me the 

 Luristan Hills abound in wild sheep and deer of various kinds. I 

 should like much to visit them ; but the inhabitants are predatory and 

 fanatical, and if one wished, as I should, to leave the caravan-route, 

 and explore the hills, a stronger party than I could conveniently 

 muster would be necessary. I went twice to the Karoon last winter, 

 but saw no deer on either occasion. Lions were plentiful, and other 

 kinds of game consequently scarce, I hope to be more fortunate 

 next season." 



Busreh, May 30, 1875. 



The table, which I here append, of some comparative cranial 

 measurements of Cervus mesopot amicus and Cervus dama* will, 1 

 trust, be of service in the determination of the species. 



( 't runs mesopotamicus. 



idles 



metre. 

 0-313 



Cervus dama. 



inches. 

 Ill 



metre. 

 0-282 



6-5 



0-165 



5-9 



0-150 



Gi-eatest length of skull in "1 



a straight line J 



Distance from anterior j 



rim of orbit to free ex- I 



tremity of the pras- j 



maxilla; J 



Distance from anterior i 



extremity of nasals to | 



free extremity of prae- l 



maxilla J 



Width between the orbits. 

 Width of upper extremity 



of the nasals between 



the anteorbital vacui- 

 ties 



Distance from lower rim 



of orbit to maxillo- 



malar suture 



Distance from maxillo- 



malar suture to alveolus 



of posterior molar ... 

 Kxtent of upper premolar 



series 



Extent of upper molar 



series 



* The measurements of Cervus dama are taken from an unusually large out- 

 1\ mi'; Buck. 



