28 



PLEISTOCENE MAMMALIA. 



true Deer in the absence of the brow tine and in the expansion of the branch 

 corresponding to the bez. They further differ from those of Megaceros in the fact 

 that it is from the anterior part of the palm or crown that the tines spring. 



In the Reindeer the antlers agree with or rather exceed those of Megaceros in the 

 length and flattened or branched character of the brow tine. The beam, which is 

 greatly branched, differs from that of Megaceros in showing no tendency to become 

 flattened. 



The Fallow Deer agrees with Megaceros, of which it is the nearest living ally, in 

 the expanded character of the beam, and in the fact that the tines spring from the 

 posterior face of the beam. It differs from most specimens of Megaceros 1 in the fact 

 that the brow tine is cylindrical, not flattened. It further differs from the Irish race 

 of the Giant Deer, and agrees with some of the continental races in having the antlers 

 directed upwards and forwards instead of extending horizontally. 



(d) Dimensions. 



Very numerous measurements of the antlers have been published, especially by 

 Rowland Ward, Millais and Potter ; and certain measurements obtained from various 

 sources are quoted in the descriptions of some of the antlers figured. Only a general 

 value, however, can be attached to such measurements, partly because unless they are 

 all taken by the same person it is very difficult if not impossible to secure absolute 

 consistency, partly because certain measurements, particularly of the span, may 

 largely depend on the amount of " restoration " to which the tines have been sub- 

 jected. Miss D. M. A. Bate kindly allows me to quote the following measurements 

 made of specimens in the British Museum : 



Measurements of Antlers of Cervus giganteus Blumenbach in the 

 British Museum (Natural History), in Feet and Inches. 



Brit. Mus. No. 



On mounted skeleton 

 (? 15282) Ireland 



15602, b, Ireland 



M. 2324, Ireland 



8085 



M. 2323, Ireland 



Maximum spati. 



8' 11| 

 8' 3" 

 6' 1" 



9' 7£" 



9' 7" 



Greatest length of 

 outside curve. 



R. 



5' 5" 



L. 



5' 1J" 



R. 



5' 6" 



L. 



5' 10}" 



R. 



5' 2" 



L. 



5' 2" 



R. 



5' 7" 



L. 



5' (»r 



R. 



6' 3V' 



L. 



6' 9. 1 ," 



Circumference 



immediately above 



brow tine. 



10" 



H" 



lor 



10" 

 10" 



9&* 



9i" 



10}" 



ior 



Left antler. 



Tips of 2 tines 

 restored 



Complete 



Tip of 4 tines 

 restored 



Complete 



Right antler. 



3 outer tines 

 restored 



Extreme tip of 

 1 tine restored. 



Ditto. 



Tips of all tines 

 restored. 



Extreme tips of 

 3 tines restored. 



1 The relatively few specimens with a cylindrical brow tine seem to be in the main young individuals. 



