12 THE WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



the base, and when they have attained their full size they consist of a broadish bun-, at the end of 

 which the lower antler rises nearly in a perpendicular position ; and also of a kind of stem, which at its 

 base has an outward direction, but which, as it rises, takes a bold curve inwardly, — the whole being 

 terminated by a fork, the branch of which is shorter than the stem, and about six or seven inches in 

 length. The entire length of the horns is about two feet, their colour is dark, and the grooves of them 

 very deep. 



It must, however, be observed that the above description of the horns is applicable to the state in 

 which they appeared when the drawing of the animal was made : but it is remarkable that the horns 

 present a different form every year, though to what cause this is to be attributed, or whether it is to be 

 considered as a monstrosity, or as a peculiar and natural feature, cannot, at present, be satisfactorily 

 ascertained. 



In regard to the suborbital sinus, or slit, which, in the Samboo Stag, is of very considerable size, 

 it is evident that its use is particularly connected with the function of respiration, and it is a peculiarity 

 belonging to the structure of the deer's head, which has long excited the attention and curiosity of the 

 naturalist. It has been proved by Mr. White, that the suborbital slits have some communication 

 with the nostrils ; and although this statement, at the time when it was promulgated, was called in 

 question, and by some rejected as having no relation with truth, yet subsequent research has discovered, 

 and even the examination of the animal now under our consideration has confirmed it ; for when the animal 

 drinks, the air may be distinctly felt iu its passage through the suborbital slits, and if a feather be 

 applied to the opening, the effect of the air is immediately perceptible. These slits are, undoubtedly, 

 highly serviceable to ah the species of the deer in the chase, by affording them the means of free 

 respiration, as they may be considered in the character of an additional nostril. It is also considered 

 that the suborbital sinus has some connection with the sense of smell, for it has been observed that the 

 animal applies these orifices to its food, opening and closing them with great quickness, as if it were 

 inhaling the freshness, or salubrity of its food. Mr. Pennant, speaking of this singularity in the Deer 

 tribe, says, " on holding an orange to one, the creature made the same use of those orifices as of his 

 nostrils, applying them to the fruit, and seeming to smell it through them.' 1 



The stature of the Samboo stag may be considered as between the Elk and the Stag : like the former 

 it sometimes browses on the leaves of trees, but still its neck is not so long as to prevent it grazing, 

 nor in the choice of its food does it appear to possess that extraordinary niceness which distinguishes 

 the common Stag. In the Tower, hay is its principal sustenance ; but it will scarcely admit of a 

 question whether a continued restriction to that kind of artificial food will not in the end be injurious 

 to the animal. 



The colour is a dark cinereous brown, approaching almost to a black on the throat and breast, and 

 the inside of the legs is a fawn colour, exhibiting in some places a dirtyish white. The mane, which 

 is remarkably thick and shaggy, hangs over the neck and throat ; and the nose, which is almost black, 

 appears almost as if enveloped in its muzzle : the ears are almost bereft of hair in the inside, which is 

 the general characteristic of all animals whose sense of hearing is acute. Indeed the senses of smell 

 and hearing in this animal appear uncommonly fine ; at the slightest noise it seems to stand in a 

 listening posture, with its ears erect, as if prepared to bound away on the perception of the smallest 

 danger. Its eyes are encircled by a light coloured disc, and its fore-knees exhibit patches of the same 

 colour; its tail on the uppermost part is black, and a light fawn colour underneath. It is, when 

 observed in its erect posture, an elegant animal ; and little doubt can exist, judging from analogy, that 

 its flesh forms a salubrious food to the natives of the country where it is indigenous. 



