CERVUS VERTICORNIS. 23 



fig. 2), the first tine is perfect on both sides ; it becomes straight after the basal 

 curvature, and ultimately terminates in a tip slightly twisted forwards and upwards. It 

 is nearly straight in the abnormal antler (PL VI, fig. 1). 



In two other abnormal specimens of young antlers, in Messrs. Backhouse's and 

 Savin's Collections, the basal portion of the first tine is straight and slightly waved. In six 

 specimens an accessory tine is given off close to the bur, as, for example, in 33471 in 

 the British Museum ; and in a seventh and much younger antler in the Museum of the 

 Geological Survey the same variation is to be seen. In several other cases (PI. VII, 

 fig. 1) "offers" b' are to be observed in the same position. We may, therefore, infer 

 that the antlers of Cervus verticornis varied in this respect in the same way as those of 

 the common stag, Cervus elaphus. Among abnormal forms, two antlers in Mr. Savin's 

 Collection deserve notice, the first tine, b, being represented by an offer close to the bur 

 in the one, and in the other by an offer 3" 5 inches from the bur. In the first of these, 

 which measures 50 inches in basal circumference, the bur is abnormally oblique and 

 irregular. This character is repeated in a third antler in Mr. Backhouse's Collection, 

 which is remarkable also for its small size and the relatively large development of the 

 second tine. (See Table I, first column.) 



The beam is slightly flattened (PI. V, figs. 1, 2, 3 ; and PI. VI) on its upper, and 

 hollowed (PI. V, fig. 1, a) on its lower surface at the point of junction with the first tine, b. 

 Above this it recovers its cylindrical shape, but again becomes flattened anteriorly in a plane 

 at right angles (PI. V, fig. 1, a) to the above-mentioned flat surface. In some young, and 

 very generally in the older antlers, a strong ridge defines these two flat surfaces, passing 

 from the base of the first to the base of the second tine, c. In some cases it descends 

 as far down as the bur. This region of the beam is rounder and smoother in the young 

 than in the old animals. 



The second tine, c (PI. VI, fig. 2 ; PI. VII, fig. 2), is oval at the base; and, springing 

 from the anterior part of the beam from a plane below and at right angles to that of the 

 first tine, b, terminates in a round point. It is nearly straight, with a slight wave, and 

 forms a right angle, or nearly so, with the beam. In fig. 2 of PI. VI, it forms an angle 

 of 135°. Its position on the beam is variable, being two inches from the first tine, b, 

 in fig. 2 of PI. V, and seven inches in a specimen in Mr. Colman's Collection. The 

 beam in some of the young and in all the old antlers is flattened in front at the point 

 of junction with the second tine, then recovers its cylindrical shape, only to become 

 flattened again as it arrives at the third tine, d (PL V, figs. 2, 3 ; PL VI, figs. 2, 3), 

 which is given off from its posterior edge at a distance varying from twelve to thirteen 

 inches from the bur. The third tine is directed backwards, almost at right angles to the 

 beam, and from its oval section at the line of fracture in PL V, fig. 2, most probably 

 terminated in a flattened point. Above the third tine, d (PL V, figs. 2, 3), the beam 

 sweeps boldly forwards and upwards, forming in fig. 2 an angle of 107°, and in fig. 3 

 of 110° to the main axis, and becomes more and more flattened as it approaches the 



