CERVUS MUNTJAK. 



of the Deer. The base of the horns, at the union of the two branches, is com- 

 pressed, and somewhat irregular. It is terminated by a burr, meule in French, of 

 an oblong form, surrounded by a margin decorated with numerous tubercles of 

 irregular size and disposition, forming a rude capital. This is in part concealed by 

 the long bristly hairs which terminate the pedestals. After a certain period in the 

 age of our animal, the horns are shed ; but it remains for future inquiries to ascer- 

 tain if the exchange, as in other species of Deer, is regular and annual : an anomaly 

 which frequently occurs in the form of the horns, favours the opinion that the 

 exchange is not regular. The most common deviation from the form above described, 

 is an inequality in the horns of the opposite sides of the skull. This occurred 

 in the Indian Roe described by AUamand. It also exists in a specimen of the 

 anterior portion of the head, supporting the horns with the integuments of the 

 face and adjoining parts, contained in a very perfect state of preservation in the 

 valuable and extensive Museum of Joshua Brookes, Esq., which he opens with great 

 liberality for scientific consultation. A more singular anomaly exists in one of the 

 specimens preserved in the Museum at the India House. The hom on the right 

 side is perfectly regular ; on the left side the principal branch has the usual direc- 

 tion, but it is sinaller than that on the opposite side ; the anterior antler has the 

 common origin and direction, but it is comparatively short and obtuse; a third 

 antler, rising opposite to this from the same base, is slender, erect, and acute ; the 

 coronal base is considerably distorted, and the horn generally has a dwarfish 

 appearance. In the female the place of the horns is marked with a tuft of black 

 hairs. The relative size and direction of the principal branch and the antler, 

 likewise varies occasionally in different individuals. 



The horns of the first growth of our animal have a character very different from 

 that now described: they are short, simple, somewhat subulate, nearly erect, or 

 slio-htly bent inward, and covered with small tubercles. The pedestals are greatly 

 compressed, and destitute of any coronal margin or burr to support them. A skull 

 contained in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, tends to explain the 

 appearances which the horns exhibit in different ages ; it belonged to an animal that 

 had recently attained its fuU size. I have with scrupulous accuracy compared its 

 dimensions in all points, with a perfect skull of an adult animal belonging to the 

 Museum at the India House, and have found them strictly to agree. The peculi- 

 arities of the skull at the College are the following : — The sutures are very distinct 

 in all parts, and in several places the bones are still disunited. The canine teeth 

 are completelj'^ formed, very perfect, smooth, and entire, and have none of the 



