CHAPTER XXXVII. 



THE MUSK-DEER. 



MOSCHUS MOSCHIFERUS. 



Generally throughout the Himalayas — Kastiird. 



In Garhwal and Kamaon — Bend — Masak ndbd. In Kashmir — Rdos — Rons. 



THE diminutive subject of the present chapter is distributed in suitable localities, along 

 the entire range of the Himalayas from Gilgit to Bhutan. It is also said to be extremely 

 common in the interior of Thibet, from which country musk forms one of the most 

 important articles of export. 



It is, however, much less common, or rather less plentiful, than it used to be, for the 

 "value of the musk is well known, and no animal is more persecuted. In some of the more 

 remote parts of Kashmir, such as Gurais and Tilail, and in the rugged district of Pangi, it 

 is probably now as numerous as anywhere. The Ganges valley used to be a favorite 

 locality, but I believe that few deer are now left there. 



The Musk-Deer is very singular both in its form and habits : it is one of the smallest 

 of the deer tribe, standing not more than twenty inches at the shoulder. 



The hind-quarters are high and rounded, and the legs are long and slender, terminating 

 in long, hard, delicately-shaped hoofs, the false heels especially being remarkably elongated. 

 The tail is very short and nearly naked in males, and possesses a peculiar gland. 



The prevailing color is a brownish grey, varying- in shades on the back, where it is 

 darkest, so as to give the animal a mottled or brindled appearance. The hair of the Musk- 

 Deer is very curious, being coarse and brittle : it has been aptly compared to miniature 

 porcupine quills : it always comes out very easily. That on the head and legs is shorter 

 and finer than on the body. The head is small and narrow ; both sexes are destitute of 

 horns, but the male is furnished with a pair of tusks in the upper jaw : they grow downwards 

 and slightly curved backwards, and attain a length of about three inches. 



The singular product from which the animal derives its name, and which has been the 

 cause of its being so much sought after, is a brown, gingerbread-like substance secreted by 

 a gland situated on the abdomen of the male. For a more detailed description of the 

 substance I must refer the reader to works on anatomy. 



The quantity varies according to the season and the age of the animal. 



