SPOTTED AXIS. 



285 



of North America, except Canada, and is found 

 in the greatest abundance in the vast savannas 

 contiguous to the Missisipi and the great rivers 

 which flow into it ; grazing in herds innumerable 

 along with stags and bufaloes. They are some- 

 times tamed, and used by the Indians, after being 

 properly trained, to decoy the wild deer within 

 shot. They are of a restless and wandering dispo- 

 sition, and in hard winters are observed to feed 

 much on the different species of Usnea or string- 

 moss, which hangs from the trees. They are also 

 fond of resorting to places impregnated with salt, 

 and in such spots may be seen in great numbers, 

 licking the earth. Such spots are called in Ame^ 

 rica by the name of Licking-places, and the hun- 

 ters are sure of finding plenty of game there ; the 

 animals, though so frequently disturbed, still con- 

 tinuing to frequent their favourite haunts. 



SPOTTED AXIS. 



Cervus Axis. C. cornibus ramosis teretibus erectis, summit ate bi" 

 Jida, corpore albo-maculato. Lin. Sijsr. Nat. Gmel. p. 179. 

 Erxl. mamm, p. 312. 

 Pale rufous brown Deer;, spotted with white, with slender trifur- 

 cated horns. 



Axis. Flin. Hist, Nat. 8. c. 21. Kaj. Qiiadr. p. 89. 

 L'Axis. Buff. II. p. S9'].pl. 38, 39. 

 Spotted Axis. Pennant Quadr. i.p. 117. 



The Axis is one of the most beautiful animals 

 of this genus, and is commonly known by the 



