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Show ' 1894.] IN THE ANTLERS OF THE FALLOW DEER. 493 specimens form a fairly continuous series considering their small number. The continuity of the variation is equally completely shown in the case of the brow-tvne :- ml 50.2.5.33, L.-a ridge. 50.2.5.19, L.-1£ in. 33, R.-i in. 22, R.-1£ in. 2, L . - | in. 25, R . - 1 | in. 22, L . ~ | in. 27, R.-2£ in. 45, L.-i in. 31, R . - 2 ^ in. 25, L.-fin. 10, L.-3 in. 10, R - 1 in. 41, R . - 3 | in. I have not taken it beyond 3| in., as it is then within the ordinary age-size limits of the normal antler. A similar if less perfect continuity of variation could be demonstrated for the length and thickness of the beam and tray-tyne, but enough has been said to demonstrate its existence in antlers of the Fallow Deer. It is not probable that the continuity of the series is appreciably attributable to the increasing age of the specimens, although it is not possible to prove this ; at least, the condition of the bones and the sutures does not point in that direction. The age at death was probably determined by the suitability of the deer for venison, as the antlers are all on the frontals ; none of these B. M . specimens had been shed. iii. Antlers exhibiting extra tynes, &c. 43. One antler still attached to a portion of the frontal bone. The burr is very thick (5 in. circumference); the antler above it is also very thick (1| in. high) and carries 3 tynes (li, 2, and 3 in. in length). 37. Frontlet with both antlers. L. antler: from the burr spring 3 tynes 5^,6^, and 12 in. long. From the relative position of the three tynes, and from a deep groove between the two larger, which cuts right through the burr, these two may represent a split beam.-R. antler: brow, tray, and a palm with 6 points. 40. Right antler on frontal. From the burr spring almost at once four tynes-one in the position of a brow-tyne (6J in. long), one in the position of a bay-tyne (10 in.), a bifurcating tyne presumably representing the beam (13^ in.), and lastly a tyne which springs posteriorly and grows downwards and outwards. 20. Frontlet with both antlers. R. antler has a curved beam (7| in.); and, growing on the usual process of the frontal bone, a small tyne with a separate burr (3 in.), apparently representing the brow-tyne. L. antler has brow-tyne and beam (14 in.) only. Here, again, we have apparently steps in a continuous series of variations ; from the little warts of B. M . specimen no. 2 (see Table), through the Roy. Coll. Surg, specimen 1561, and through B. M . 43, w e reach B. M . 37l. I have seen no steps leading up to B. M . 20, except the deep groove interrupting the burr in B. M . 37. A continuation of such a groove in a half-circle would cut off a tyne 1 The occurrence of extra beams (? tynes) in the Roebuck is recorded by Bateson in ' Materials for the Study of Variation,' London, 1894, 8vo (p. 286, fig. 75). |