CERVUS MUNTJAK. 
of the Beer. The base of the horns, at the union of the two branches, is com- 
pressed, and somewhat irregular. It is terminated by a bun-, meule in French, of 
an oblong form, surrounded by a margin decorated with numerous tubercles of 
irregular size and disposition, forming a rude capital. This is in part concealed by 
the long bristly hairs which terminate the pedestals. After a certain period in the 
age of our animal, the horns are shed ; but it remains for future inquiries to ascer- 
tain if the exchange, as in other species of Deer, is regular and annual : an anomaly 
which frequently occurs in the form of the horns, favours the opinion that the 
exchange is not regular. The most common deviation from the form above described, 
is an inequality in the horns of the opposite sides of the skull. This occurred 
in the Indian Roe described by AHamand. It also exists in a specimen of the 
anterior portion of the head, supporting the horns with the integuments of the 
face and adjoining parts, contained in a very perfect state of preservation in the 
valuable and extensive Museum of Joshua Brookes, Esq., which he opens with great 
liberality for scientific consultation. A more singular anomaly exists in one of the 
specimens preserved in the Museum at the India House. The horn on the right 
side is perfectly regular ; on the left side the principal branch has the usual direc- 
tion, but it is smaller than that on the opposite side; the anterior antler has the 
common origin and direction, but it is comparatively short and obtuse; a third 
antler, rising opposite to this from the same base, is slender, erect, and acute ; the 
coronal base is considerably distorted, and the horn generally has a dwarfish 
appearance. In the female the place of the horns is marked with a tuft of black 
hairs. The relative size and direction of the principal branch and the antler, 
likewise varies occasionally in different individuals. 
The horns of the first growth of our animal have a character very different from 
that now described: they are short, simple, somewhat subulate, nearly erect, or 
slightly bent inward, and covered with small tubercles. The pedestals are greatly 
compressed, and destitute of any coronal margin or burr to support them. A skull 
contained in the Museum of the .Royal College of Surgeons, tends to explain the 
appearances which the horns exhibit in different ages ; it belonged to an animal that 
had recently attained its full size. I have with scrupulous accuracy compared its 
dimensions in all points, with a perfect skull of an adult animal belonging to the 
Museum at the India House, and have found them strictly to agree. The peculi- 
arities of the skull at the College are the following : — The sutures are very distinct 
in all parts, and in several places the buries are still disunited. The canine teeth 
are completely formed, very perfect, smooth, and entire, and have none of the 
