534 UNGULATA. 



Various attempts have been made to introduce the Mouse-deer into 

 Europe. A pair presented to the Queen of England was forwarded by 

 her Majesty to the Zoological Gardens in. the Regent's Park, London, 

 but they died in two months. Brehm had several in the Thiergarten of 

 Berlin ; they were very cleanly, always dressing and licking their fur. 

 Their large and beautiful eyes lead one to expect a great amount of in- 

 telligence, but this is not the case ; the tiny creature is placid and quiet, 

 passing the day in eating, chewing the cud, and sleeping. Its delicate 

 soft voice is a weak piping. 



" By the kindness of the government," writes Bodinus, " we received 

 a pair of chevrotains. In spite of great attention, fresh grass, clover, 

 bread, milk, and oats, they could not be brought into good condition. 

 Under these circumstances I changed their diet to berries. They 

 devoured them eagerly, and good results followed. The large eyes 

 grew brighter, the hair became sleeker and more brilliant, the body 

 plumper, and I was convinced that the tiny creatures could be kept in 

 perfect health on milk and bread, and some green stuff. 



The Javanese, who call the animal Poetyang, hunt it zealously, and 

 esteem highly its tender and sweet flesh. The slender legs are often 

 mounted in gold and silver, and used for tobacco-stoppers. 



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