CERVUS MUNTJAK. 



They are extremely acute, and afford a powerful means of defence to the animal. 

 A considerable space intervenes between the canine teeth and the grinders, along 

 which the jaw is strongly compressed. The front teeth in the lower jaw, and the 

 grinders in both, agree so completely with these teeth in the other species of Cervus, 

 that they require no particular description. 



The Cervus Muntjak resembles the common Roe in form and general propor- 

 tions ; but when in a state of fuU size and vigour, it exceeds that animal nearly one- 

 fifth in dimensions. Its body is more lengthened, robust, and fleshy, while its 

 limbs are more dehcate and slender. Its name in the Sunda language expresses 

 leaping or bounding ; and, according to Mr. Marsden, the Kijang, with the Malayan 

 poets, is the emblem of swiftness and wUdness. The qualities of agility and spright- 

 liness which characterize the Roe, belong to the Badang in a more eminent degree. 

 It is perhaps the most elegant and graceful animal of the genus to which it belongs. 

 The drawing represents accurately its form and proportions ; but it is not easy by 

 a figure or by description to give an adequate idea of its beauty. The shortness of 

 the tail is a defect to the appearance of the Roe ; while the Kidang is provided with 

 a tail of moderate length, the attitude of which in its rapid motions is highly 

 ornamental. 



The outline of the head of our animal is similar to that of the Roe ; it is, how- 

 ever, somewhat more lengthened; the pedestals supporting the horns are more 

 elevated, and the peculiar character of the horns distinguishes it at once from aU 

 other species of this genus. A reference to the anterior and lateral views which 

 are given on the Plate, will better illustrate the form of the head, than a detailed 

 description. The horns of the adult Kidang, in a perfect state, consist of one 

 principal branch with a smaller additional antler, rising on the same base from the 

 coronal margin of the pedestal, and projecting forward and inward. The latter is 

 simple, very short, and from the common base one inch and a half in length. The 

 principal branch, in the adult animal, is four inches and a half, and measured along 

 its curve, five inches long. It rises for the space of two inches, nearly erect, then 

 forms a shght curve outward and forward, and, finally bending suddenly backward 

 and inward, nearly at a right angle, forms a hook with an acute termination, the 

 curve of which varies in different individuals. In its course it has a slight spiral 

 curve, and is marked with deep longitudinal furrows, following in their direction 

 the curve of the horn, tapering above into sharp ridges, having some iiTegularities 

 in their course, but wanting those tubercles which occur on the horns in most species 



