CERVIDE 321 
marked. Antlers of a. Rusine type, the beam being much 
curved, and the brow tine usually given off at an acute or 
right angle. Molars very hypsodont. The coloration of the 
Axis is more brilliant than that of any other member of the 
family. 
Here may be noticed a group of Deer mainly characteristic of 
the eastern Palearctic region, frequently known as the Pseudaxine 
group, which appears to connect the Axine with the Hlaphine 
type. Well-known representatives of this group are C. sika (Fig. 
128) of Japan, C. mantchwricus of China, and C. taévanus of Formosa. 
Fic. 128,—The Japanese Deer (Cervus sika). From Lord Powerscourt, Proc. Zool. Soc. 
1884, p. 209. 
The antlers have a brow and tres tine, and then a forked beam, of 
which the posterior tine is the smaller. The lachrymal vacuity 
and fossa are of moderate size; and the auditory bulla is only 
moderately inflated, and quite smooth externally. Tail moderate ; 
neck maned. In summer the coat is spotted, but is plain in 
winter. A herd of C.. sika have been acclimatised in Ireland 
by Viscount Powerscourt, at Powerscourt, County Wicklow. A 
number of Deer from the Pliocene of Europe, such as C. perrieri 
and C. etueriarum, appear to be allied both to the Pseudaxine and 
Axine groups. 
The Llaphine or typical group is at once characterised by the 
presence of a bez tine to the antlers (Fig. 129), in which the beam 
is rounded, and splits up near the summit into a larger or smaller 
21 
