96 DEER-SHOOTING AND OTHER MATTERS. 



There are several species of martens and weasels. 

 One of the former is of a most rich yellow golden 

 colour, and has a good fur. The common otter is 

 exceedingly plentiful ; and many species of seal. The 

 bladder-nosed seal also I have seen in the south. The 

 Japanese chamois (Antilope crispa) is a very difficult 

 animal to find, and to bag when found ; they keep to the 

 highest mountains, and to the highest and most rugged 

 peaks of these ranges. I have hunted them with the 

 natives, and with their dogs, 

 and this often; and yet only 

 once, although often close to 

 the creatures, have I had a 

 '"*%fe''''-''^^^^^ glimpse of one, much less a 



-^^f'^ '"^ shot. On one occasion I was 



''''" lucky enough to see one, and 



this was by mere accident, and when not in search of 

 game. I have often been told fabulous stories about the 

 Nigou, the native name for this wary animal. They were 

 supposed to have but one horn, and to use this single 

 frontal ornament as a means of hanging on to trees as 

 well as in self-defence. After some years of anticipa- 

 tion and endeavour to get even a dead specimen, I got 

 a couple, and then, strange to say, several others were 

 brought to me. A young male, alive, was caught, after 



