HIMALAYAN  MUSK  DEER,  ETC. 
259 
salts  with  metallic  chlorides  ;  the  platinum  double  salt  has  the 
composition  C42Hj9NOjq,  HCl  +  PtCl2. — [Bull,  de  V Acad.  Roy. 
Belg.—Annal.  d.  Ch.  u,  PL  xxxix.  132—140.) 
DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  HIMALAYAN  MUSK  DEER,  ITS  HAUNTS, 
AND  THE  METHOD  OF  TAKING  THE  MUSK  ; 
Accompanying  a  stuifed  specimen  of  the  animal  presented  to  the  Museum  of 
the  Pharmaceutical  Society  by  Messrs.  Peake,  Allen  &  Co. 
By  M.  F.  Peake. 
The  specimen  before  the  meeting  probably  will  serve  to  clear 
up  many  points  relative  to  the  quality  and  appearance  of  musk, 
and  to  explain  the  difference,  and  cause  of  there  being  so  many 
varieties  and  qualities  in  the  market. 
The  deer,  as  you  perceive,  is  about  the  size  of  a  greyhound, 
and,  from  the  length  of  its  tusks,  it  is  no  doubt  five  or  six  years 
of  age,  or  perhaps  more.  Its  brown  stubby  coat  more  resem- 
bles small  porcupine  quills  than  hair,  and  every  part  of  the  ani- 
mal has  a  strong  odor  of  musk.  The  head,  legs,  feet,  and 
general  outline,  are  those  of  the  common  deer ;  but  in  its  habits 
it  more  resembles  the  hare,  selecting  a  solitary  place  or  form 
separate  from  its  species.  It  is  sometimes  found  in  the  lower 
ranges  of  the  mountains,  at  an  elevation  of  7,000  to  8,000  feet. 
It  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  forest,  but  partial  to  woody  ravines, 
and  is  common  only  on  the  spurs  or  projecting  points  jutting 
from  the  eternal  snowy  ranges,  at  an  altitude  of  from  10,000  to 
14,000  feet. 
The  natives  take  the  musk  deer  by  snaring,  but  this  specimen 
was,  it  is  believed,  shot  by  the  rifle.  On  being  approached, 
they  bound  off  with  great  rapidity,  and  when  at  about  eighty  to 
one  hundred  yards,  turn  round  for  a  few  seconds  to  gaze  on 
their  distuber  with  their  faces  towards  him  ;  at  this  instant  the 
unerring  aim  is  taken,  but  the  prize  is  not  always  secured,  as 
sometimes  it  falls  down  precipices  where  it  cannot  be  reached. 
Days  and  days  are  frequently  lost  without  falling  in  with  any, 
and,  on  an  average,  upwards  of  thirty  miles  are  traversed  daily. 
The  toil  of  getting  up  and  down  these  immense  mountains  is 
very  great,  and  the  pursuit  is  attended  with  many  hardships  and 
privations.  The  time  expended  and  distance  traversed  render 
the  occupation  very  expensive,  from  the  necessity  of  being  ac- 
I 
