184 
THE MUNTJAK. 
the limits of the skull, they assume a cylindrical, 
soroevihat compressed form, and constitute, on each 
side, a pedestal three inches in length, which, in its 
whole extent, is covered with integuments and hair, 
and at the extremity is crowned with a notched 
margin or burr supporting the hairs.” 
It has been observed by some naturalists, that we 
remain in uncertainty whether the Muntjak sheds its 
horns only once, or yearly. If the former were the 
case, it would shew^ a beautiful gradation of structure 
between the true deer with deciduous horns, and 
those animals where they rise from the bone of the 
forehead and are persistent. This will be better 
understood by looking at the annexed figures of the 
head and horns, from Horsfield's Illustrations — See 
Plate XX. 
The most favourite haunts of the Munijak in 
Java, are the moderately elevated grounds, diversi- 
fied by ridges and valleys, tending towards the ac- 
clivities of the more considerable mountains, or ap- 
proaching the confine of extensive forests. Sac- 
charum spicaium and Phyllanthus emblica are among 
the most abundant plants in these districts, and con- 
stitute its principal food, together with several other 
malvaceous plants, which are also greedily eaten. 
The Muntjak is often hunted by the Europeans and 
natives of rank. When started, its flight is very swift, 
and, taking a circular course, it generally returns to 
the spot whence it was raised. If the pursuit be con- 
tinued, it thrusts its head into a thicket, and remains 
