ON THE HIPPEIAPHUS. 161 



Deer differs widely from that of any other, and even gives to it something 

 of the appearance of the horse, which added to its size and mane may pos- 

 sibly have contributed to give it the name of Hippelaphus. Its larger ears, 

 and its tail better furnished with hair than that of Deer in general, are addi- 

 tional specific characters, which distinguish it from them, and its horns, 

 forked at the extremities and with only one antler at the base, are precise- 

 ly such as are indicated by Aristotle, that is, those of a Roe-buck.* 



The female differs from the male by the total want of horns, as Aristo- 

 tle observes, and by somewhat shorter hair on the neck and inferior jaw, 

 but even in the absence of this last peculiarity, which doubtless is scarcely 

 perceptible in the younger individuals, it is easily distinguished by the co- 

 lour of its coat, which is always darker than that of the common Doe. 



The Hippelaphus condemned to the same habits with other Deer, 

 lives in numerous flocks, or in insulated pairs, according to its age or to 

 the season of the year. These two epochs, as well as the places frequent- 

 ed by them, have great influence on their size and colour, as it has been re- 

 marked on the Cervus Elaphus. In countries where food is not abundant, 

 and where moreover they have to fly from powerful enemies, none are 

 found, but of a middling size. On the contrary, those who live in countries 

 where vegetation is rich, and where tygers are not common, attain very 

 considerable dimensions, and we have seen some in the island of Sumatra 

 not inferior to the largest horses. 



The Hippelaphus is equally to be met with in Java, and it is probably 

 the same animal indicated by Pennant, and Shaw, under the name of 

 Great Axis, as an inhabitant of the marshy forests of Borneo, 



* We must remember a very important observation of Buflbn's with respect to the Latin translati- 

 on of Theodore Gaza, which is that he has translated the word $0X0$, by Copra, in lieu of Caprea, and 

 therefore the word Caprea: must be substituted to that Capra, i. e. the horns of the Roe-buck to those 

 of the Goat. 



U 



