104 



DE. S. F. HAEMER ON CEEVUS BELGEANDI PEOM 



The Affinities of Cervus belgrandi. 



It is now generally accepted that the Irish Deer (C. giganteus) ' and its allies are 

 members of the Damine group. The particular position which C. belgrandi should 

 occupy in this group has not hitherto received adequate consideration, in consequence 

 of the imperfect condition of all the previously described examples. It appears to me 

 that Cervus belgrandi combines in a most interesting manner the characters of 

 C. dama and its fossil allies (C browni, &c.) and of the series of forms including the 

 Irish Deer. Many specimens of C. dama agree precisely with C. belgrandi in 

 the number and position of the tines and in the general character of the palmation. 

 The principal differences between the two forms are : (1) the more horizontal position 

 of the beam in C. belgrandi; (2) the position and characteristic downward curve 

 of the first tine in that species; and (3) the existence of a scalloped edge of the 

 crown in C. belgrandi, as distinguished from that of C. dama, which. is prolonged 

 into more definite tines. Both species agree in the absence of points on the 

 anterior edge of the crown. The palmated region includes the back-tine in C. dama, 

 whereas in C. belgrandi there is a distinct constriction between the back-tine and the 

 palmation. The comparative suddenness with which the expansion begins in this species 

 is probably the reason why its real character has not hitherto been suspected. 



Eight antler of Cervus dama, believed to be of preglacial age, from Belzig, 10 miles S.W. of Berlin ; 



seen from the inner side. (After Keilhack.) 



; Manuel d'Hist. Eat., traduit de l'allemand de J. F. Blumenbach,' ii. 1803, p. 407. 



