1 897.] OK THE DEER ALLIED TO CERTUS SICA. 37 



2. On the Deer allied to Cervus sica. 

 By R. Lydekker, B.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S., &c. 



[Eeeeived November 27, 1896.] 

 (Plate I.) 



In the last paper that 1 had the honour of presenting to the 

 Society attention was directed to the very imperfect state of our 

 knowledge regarding the mem hers of the typical group of the genus 

 Cervus. In the present communication I propose to show that the 

 prettily-colom-ed Deer constituting the Pseudaxine ' group of the 

 same genus are in a still more hopeless state of confusion as regards 

 the delimitation of species. Indeed, these Deer, both by describers 

 and systematists, have been treated badly from a zoological point of 

 view. At the present time the group is represented by a remarkably 

 fine series in tlie Menagerie at AVoburn Abbey ; and — thanks to 

 the Duke and Duchess of Bedford — these have afforded me the 

 means of endeavouring to clear up the confusion. 



In his paper on the classification of the C'ervidce, published in 

 the Society's 'Proceedings ' for 1878, the late Sir Victor Brooke gave 

 the following definition of the subgenus Pseudaxis ^ : — " Antlers 

 about twice the length of the head, supported on short stout 

 pedestals. Brovv'-antler (a) rather short, directed upwards at a 

 rather acute angle with the beam (a?). A strong tine (6) is 



Antler of Cervus sica, 



developed from the anterior surface of the antler at about half its 

 entii'e length, and a short tine (d) from the posterior surface of its 

 upper third. Lachrymal pit of moderate depth and extent, its 

 antero-posterior diameter being less than that of the three upper 

 molars. Auditory buUse moderately inflated, compressed, and smooth 

 externally. Rudimentary upper canines present in both sexes. 

 Rbiuariuin as in Eusa, with the exception of the internasal portion, 



^ I propose to substitute the name Sicine Deer for this group. 

 ' T. c. p. 907. 



