1832.*] Note on the Cervas Jarai. 67 



additional information relative to this animal, or rather group of ani- 

 mals ; for, it would appear, by the testimony of some most respectable 

 Nipalese, supported by skins, horns, and skulls, in my possession, that 

 there are at least three distinct species (or most strongly marked 

 varieties) of the Jarai, inhabiting the Saul forest. 



The Nipalese distinguish them, with reference to the different 

 shades of tfieir in general uniform dark colour, by the epithets Phasro, 

 R&to, and Kalo, or gray, red, and black, Jarai. The Phusro is the 

 largest, being not less than a horse in size ; and has his dark hide 

 copiously sprinkled with Phusro or hoary. The Rato is the next in 

 point of size ; and is of a redder hue. The Kalo is the smallest, and 

 of a shining, clear black. 



. The horns of the Rato and Phusro have a similar form and charac- 

 ter, the only invariable difference between them being, that those of 

 Rato are considerably less in proportion. The horns of the Kalo, on the 

 other hand, present a character, not merely alien to the two others, 

 but to the type and index of the group ; for they have only one 

 antler on each beam, viz. a brow antler. 



All three species have the forehead flat or sunk, with a strong ridge 

 down its centre; the nose straight; canines in the upper jaw, large 

 lachrymary sinuses; shoulders, whole neck, and jaws, shaggy ; very 

 coarse, dark hair; longish tail; fan-like ears; massive rough horns, 

 inclined outwards and backwards, which are set on stout pedicles, 

 terminated by large granulated burrs. All, too, but the Kalo species 

 have a subterminal, as well as a brow antler. 



The whole of the above characters are constant. But no reliance 

 can be placed on the circumstances of the superior antler being 

 thrown off near the top, or near the centre, anteriorly and externally ; 

 or, posteriorly and internally : nor upon that of the inferior antler 

 being basal, or only subbasal. 



1 make these remarks, guided by Major II. Smith's admirable work, 

 with ten good specimens before me ; and I feel pretty confident that, 

 that able author will find reason by and bye to abandon his present 

 distribution into species of this group of Deer. With the wish to be 

 of service to him, I subjoin drawings of the horns of the three pre- 

 sumed species of Nipal ; but shall not attempt any further description 

 of them at present. I apprehend that the Nipalese Phusro Jarai is 

 identical with the great Rusa, or Hippelaphus, of Cuvier ; that Cervus 

 Equinus may be the Rato Jarai ; and possibly, the Rusa Ham of 

 Raffles (which he says is smaller than Equinus and black-colomed) 

 the Kalo Jarai of Nipal. 



k 2 



