1894.] IN THE ANTLERS OE THE EALLOW DEER. 493 



specimens form a fairly continuous series considering their small 

 number. 



The continuity of the variation is equally completely shown in 

 the case of the brow-tyne : — 



50.2.5.33, L.— a ridge. 50.2.5.19, L.— 1£ in. 



33, E.— £ in. 22, E.— 1± in. 



2, L.— | in. 25, E.— 1| in. 



22, L. -fin. 27, E.— 2| in. 



45, L.— £ in. 31 , E.— 2| in. 



25, L.— | in. 10, L.— s" in. 



10, E.— 1 in. 41, E.— 3|in. 



I have not taken it beyond 3| in., as it is then within the 

 ordinary age-size limits of the normal antler. 



A similar if less perfect continuity of variation could be demon- 

 strated for the length and thickness of the beam and tray-tyne, 

 but enough has been said to demonstrate its existence in antlers 

 of the Fallow Deer. 



It is not probable that the continuity of the series is appreciably 

 attributable to the increasing age of the specimens, although it is 

 not possible to prove this ; at least, the condition of the bones 

 and the sutures does not point in that direction. The age at 

 death was probably determined by the suitability of the deer for 

 venison, as the antlers are all on the frontals ; none of these B. M. 

 specimens had been shed. 



iii. Antlers exhibiting extra tynes, &c. 



43. One antler still attached to a portion of the frontal bone. The burr 

 is very thick (5 in. circumference) ; the antler above it is also very 

 thick (1| in. high) and carries 3 tynes (1^, 2, and 3 in. in length). 



37. Frontlet with both antlers. L. antler : from the burr spring 3 tynes 

 5£, 6^, and 12 in. long. From the relative position of the three tynes, 

 and from a deep groove between the two larger, which cuts right 

 through the burr, these two may represent a split beam. — E. antler : 

 brow, tray, and a palm with 6 points. 



40. Eight antler on frontal. From the burr spring almost at once four 

 tynes— one in the position of a brow-tyne (6£ in. long), one in the 

 position of a bay-tyne (10 in.), a bifurcating tyne presumably repre- 

 senting the beam (13i in.), and lastly a tyne which springs posteriorly 

 and grows downwards and outwards. 



20. Frontlet with both antlers. E. antler has a curved beam (7f in.) ; 

 and, growing on the usual process of the frontal bone, a small tyne 

 with a separate burr (3 in.), apparently representing the brow-tyne. 

 L. antler has brow-tyne and beam (14 in.) only. 



Here, again, we have apparently steps in a continuous series of 

 variations ; from the little warts of B. M. specimen no. 2 (see 

 Table), through the Boy. Coll. Surg, specimen 1561, and through 

 B. M. 43, we reach B. M. 37 l . I have seen no steps leading up to 

 B. M. 20, except the deep groove interrupting the burr in B. M. 37. 

 A continuation of such a groove in a half-circle would cut off a tyne 



1 The occurrence of extra beams (? tynes) in the Eoebuck is recorded by 

 Bateson in ' Materials for the Study of Variation,' London, 1894, 8vo (p. 280, 

 fig. 75). 



