SEROWS AN^D GOBALS. 



189 



1908.] 



transversely convex and long. Regarding the skull from its 

 ventral aspect, it is evident that the basi-facial axis is more 

 bant upon the basi-cranial axis than in other specimens. The 

 horns are short and thick, the sheath measuring only 160 mm. 

 (6| inches) with a basal circumference of 125 mm. (5 inches). 



Subjoined is a table of measurements of four skvills of Serows 

 from Kashmir, Kepal, Chamba, and Selangor. 



Skidl-measurements in millimetres *. 



ICasJimir 



fBasal length from occipital suture 



to distal end of premaxilbe ... 

 Width across zygomata 



„ „ maxillai 



,, between oi-bits 



Median length of frontal 



„ ,, nasal 



Width across nasals 



Width across premaxilhu (maxi- 

 mum) ■ 



Width across premaxilla3 (distal 



end) 



Height from alveolus of molar 2 to 



summit of frontals 



Height from alveolus of premolar 3 



to summit of nasals 



Length of cheek-teeth 



Lentithand width of last molar ... 

 Median length of palate to distal 



end of premaxill* 



Width of palate between last 



molars 



Width of palate between first 



premolars 



In spite, however, of the differences above set forth, I think it 

 premature to attach very much weight to them and to_ draw 

 conclusions as to their constancy until the extent of the variations 

 of the skull with age, possibly with sex, and in a number of 

 individuals from the same locality, has been ascertained. These 

 remarks apply more particularly to the specimens from the 

 Himalayas, of which the dimensions are tabulated above. The 

 explanation of the differences, for example, between the Kashmir 

 and Nepal skulls may be a matter o£ age if the skull becomes 

 flatter, narrower in the palate, and deeper in the preorbital pit 

 with advance of years J. It is significant that one of the skulls 



* Measurements taken with a compass or dividers. , ^ „ ^i 



t This measm-ement is taken from the basioccipital suture mstead of from the 

 occipital foramen, because the occipital region of the skull is not infrequently 

 absent in prepared skulls. -, ■, , ^ to- i j 



+ Implicit faith in the systematic value of cranial and dental differences, coupled 

 with inexperience in osteology and injudicious handling of material, seems to have 

 been responsible for the vast numbers of " species " into which the Deer, Pigs, and 

 Antelopes, including Serows and Gorals, of Southern China have been split by 

 Pere Heude. 



