26 
MAMMALIA. PECORA. 
Cervus. 
II. Horns simple and deciduous. 
Gen. XXV. CERVUS. Deer. — Horns, when growing, co- 
vered by a soft velvety skin, which ultimately dries up, 
and is rubbed olf. 
39 . C. Elaphus. Stag or Red-Deer. — Horns branched, round, 
and recurved. 
Cervus, Merr. Pin. p. 1G6 — Sihh. Scot. p. 9 — Bay., Quad. p. 84. C. El. 
....■Lin. Sjst. 1. p. 93 — W, Carvv; G, Fiadh. 
The stag is about feet in height. In the Duke of Athol’s grounds some 
have been shot, which weighed upwards of 18 stones (Stat. Ac. xx. p. 47O.). 
The female is gravid eight months, and brings forth one at a birth. It was 
formerly abundant throughout the kingdom, but is now, in consequence of 
the influence of society, nearly confined to the remoter districts of Scotland 
and England. In some of the latter regions it proves very destructive to 
corn in harvest, but is gradually disappearing with the extension of sheep- 
farming. 
The fossil remains of this species are widely distributed, occurring in peat 
and marl-beds, clay, and the silt of rivers. The horns, which chiefly attract 
notice, and find a place in geological collections, are of larger dimensions than 
those which belong to the recent individuals. The same remark applies to the 
fossil ox. Nor need this circumstance excite surprise, when we take into 
consideration the extensive forests and meadows with which the country 
abounded, furnishing protection and sustenance ; and the advanced age to 
which many individuals might, when free from the persecution of man, be 
permitted to attain. 
40. C. Capreolus. Roe. — Horns branched, round, erect, with 
bifid summits. 
Capreolus, Merr. Pin. p. 166 — Sibh. Scot. p. 9 — Capria Plinii, Ray., Quad, 
p. 89 — C. cap. Lin. Syst. 1. p. 94. — IF, Jwrch ; G, Earha. 
The height of this species is about 2\ feet. The female is gravid five 
months and a half, and produces two at a birth. This species was formerly 
equally extensively distributed with the stag, but is now in a great measure 
confined to the district of Scotland to the north of the Forth. In Fife they 
have reappeared of late years, in consequence of the increase of plantations. 
41. C. Hama. Fallow-Deer. — Horns branched, recurved, 
compressed, and palmated at the top. 
Dama, Merr. Pin. p. 166 — C. platyceros. Bay, Syn. Quad. p. 83 — C. D. 
JAn. Syst. 1. p. 93 — W, Hydd. 
This species is more gentle in its dispositions than either of the preceding, 
and is consequently better fitted for being kept in parks. The female is gra- 
vid eight months, and produces one, two, or even three at a birth. Doubts 
seem to be entertained whether the fallow-deer be an indigenous animal, 
though the evidence on which its claims rest is far from doubtful. Lesley 
(De Or. Scot. p. 5.) mentions, among the objects which the huntsman pur- 
sued with dogs, “ Cervum, damam, aut capream.” In the Statistical Account 
of Ardchattan, Argyleshire (vol. vi. p. 175>)’ ‘‘ fallow-deer run 
wild in the woods, of a much superior size and flavour to any of their species 
that are confined in parks.” Indistinct traces of this species seem likewise to 
occur among the alluvial deposits. Thus, Professor Buckland (Rel. Dil. p. 18.) 
found teeth in the Kirkdale Cave, “ nearly of the size and form of the fallow- 
deer.” In the Statistical Account of the Parish of Kinloch, Perthshire 
