24 PLEISTOCENE MAMMALIA. 



fractured surface of the palmated crown, which in fig. 2 measures seven inches across. 

 In a small specimen in Mr. Backhouse's Collection (PI. VI, fig. 1), which is remarkable 

 for the roundness of the beam and the obliquity of the bur, the antler is terminated by 

 a broad, flattened crown, composed most probably of tines d and/. In fig. 2, of PI. V, 

 a constriction in the lower half implied that another tine, /, was given off before it 

 terminated in the upper palmated tine or tines (fig. 2, g). This region is unfortunately 

 wanting in all the specimens, probably because it is more easily destroyed than the 

 stouter portions of the antler. 



The large and old antler figured (PL V, fig. 3), throws off an additional tine, e, from 

 its anterior surface in the space between the second, c, in front, and the third, d, behind. 

 It is, therefore, clear that additional tines were developed in this region of the antler in 

 the Cervus verticornis as in the case of C. Savini and in the living C. dama. This 

 additional tine is oval in section at the base, and, like the second, c, set on at right 

 angles to the beam. 



The general sweep of the antlers of Cervus verticornis is sigmoid, the basal region 

 rising to the first tine, b, the median being depressed to the second tine and in the older 

 individuals to the third tine, d, and the upper rising abruptly from tine d to the 

 palmated extremity. The general appearance of the antlers in the old adult may be 

 gathered from the dotted outline added to PI. V, figs. 2 and 3, the tines being added 

 from other specimens, and the palmated crown from the original of fig. 2. It must, 

 however, be remarked that the palmation of the crown may have been greater and the 

 palm wider than in the outline. It is much less palmated than the antler of the Irish 

 elk (Cervus megaceros), in which the flattening begins at the point where the second tine 

 is given off, and in which the brow-tine sweeps straight forward to its bifurcated extremity, 

 and is nearly in the same plane as the second tine. I am unable to recognise any 

 affinity between these two types of antlers. 



§ 3. Measurements of antlers. — The varying size of the antlers and the variation in 

 the position of the tines in verticorn deer of different ages are shown in the following 

 table of measurements : 



