History of British animals - University of Guam Marine Laboratory

26 MAMMALIA. PECORA. Cervus.II. Horns simple and deciduous.Gen. XXV. CERVUS. Deer.— Horns, when growing, coveredby a soft velvety skin, which ultimatelydries up,and is rubbed off.39. C. Elaphus. Stag or Red-Deer. — Horns branched, round,and recurved.Cervus, Merr. Pin. p.1C6—Sibb. Scot. p. 9— Ray, Quad. p. C4. C. EL—Lin. Syst. 1. p. 93 W, Carw; G, Fiadh.The stag is about 3£ feet in height. In the Duke of Athol's grounds somehave beenshot, which weighed upwards of 18 stones (Stat. Ac xx. p. 470.).The female is gravid eight months, and bringsforth one at a birth. It wasformerly abundant throughout the kingdom, but is now, in consequence ofthe influence of society, nearly confined to the remoter districts of Scotlandand England. In some of the latter regionsitproves very destructive tocorn in harvest, but is gradually disappearing with the extension of sheepfarming.The fossil remains of this species are widely distributed, occurring in peatand marl-beds, clay, and the silt of rivers. The horns, which chiefly attractnotice, and find a place in geological collections, are of larger dimensions thanthose which belong to the recent individuals. The same remark applies to thefossil ox. Nor need this circumstance excite surprise, when we take intoconsideration the extensive forests and meadows with which the countryabounded, furnishing protection and sustenance ;and the advanced age towhich many individuals might, Avhen free from the persecution of man, bepermitted to attain.40. C. Capreolus.Roe.— Horns branched, round, erect, withbifid summits.Capreolus, Merr. Pin. p. 106—Sibb. Scot. p. 9— Capria Plinii, Ray, Quad,p. 89 C. cap. Lin. Syst. 1. p. 94. — W, Jwrch ; G, Earha.The height of this species is about 2\ feet. The female is gravid fivemonths and a half, and produces two at a birth. This species was formerlyequally extensively disli-ibuted with the stag, but is now in a great measureconfined to the district of Scotland to the north of the Forth. In Fife theyhave reappeared of late years, in consequence of the increase of plantations.41. C. Dama. Fallow-Deer.— Horns branched, recurved,compressed, and palmated at the top.Dama, Merr. Pin. p. 166—C. platyceros, Ray, Syn. Quad. p. 85—C. D.Lin. Syst.1. p. 93— IF, Hydd.This speciesis more gentle in its dispositions than either of the preceding,and is consequently better fitted for being kept in parks. The female is gravideight months, and produces one, two, or even three at a birth. Doubtsseem 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 pursuedwith " dogs, Cervum, damam, aut capream." In the Statistical Accountof Ardchattan, Argyleshire (vol. vi. p. 175-), it is said, that " fallow-deer runwild in the woods, of a much superior size and flavour to any of their speciesthat are confined in parks." Indistinct traces of this species seem likewise tooccur among the alluvial deposits. Thus, Professor Buckland (llel. Dil. p. 18.)found teeth in the Kirkdale Cave, " nearly of the size and form of the fallowdeer."In the Statistical Account of the Parish of Kinloch, Perthshire