358 



DR. E. LONNBERG ON THE 



[Dec. 2, 



the anterior palmation is larger than the posterior. Sometimes, 

 again, the anterior portion of the antler is bent so as to form 

 more or less nearly a right angle with the posterior palmation ; 

 and occasionally tlie two points of a fork do not lie in the same 

 frontal plane, bnt one behind the other. 



These instances must suffice to show the great variability in 

 the form of elk-antlers, and at the saine time to indicate that in 

 Sweden no division into subspecies or races can be founded on 

 such differences, ivt any rate for the present. It is true that 

 sometimes in a, particidar district most of the Elk display antlers 

 of the same type ; but this is easily explained by the close relation- 

 ship of the individuals, so that only family groups are formed, 

 and no greater differentiation is indicated. 



In order to show the dimensions of the antlers, and to indicate 

 that these also vary greatly, the following table has been drawai 

 up, the heads measiired being enumerated in the same order as 

 described above : — 



From these measurements it will be seen that the dimensions 

 of skull and antlers are subject to a. comparatively gi'eat vaiiation, 

 and that, for instance, a smaller frontal width may be united with 

 large antlers, and vice versd. It is also apparent that the antlers 

 of the "cervine" or "intermediate" types reach dimensions 

 approximately equal to, and sometimes indeed supei-seding, those 

 of the "palmated" type. The "cervine" and "intermediate" 

 types cannot therefore be said to be the result of ilegeneration in 

 the strict meaning of that word. By this I do not intend to imply 

 that there are no degenei'ate elk -antlers to be found in Sweden, 

 since such small and degenerate antlei-s frecpiently occur. These, 

 however, include "palmated," "intermediate," and " non-pal- 

 mated " types, although the latter may lie the more numerous. 



From the moi'e southern pi'ovinces especially (such as Smaland), 



1 A teratological continuation from the burr of the right side covers a good deal 

 of the frontal. " The distance from the left burr to the median line is about 80 mm. : 

 if normal the breadth should thus have been 160 mm. 



- On the normal side. 



