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Show 1876.] SIR V. BROOKE ON CERVUS MESOPOTAMICUS. 303 however, that I did not clearly explain that this deer is met with in no part of Arabia, except in the jungles bordering the river Karoon and its tributary the Diz, both of which issue from the hitherto unexplored Luristan Hills. It does not exist in Mesopotamia or anywhere near the Euphrates ; and the name Cervus mesopotamicus seems therefore to be a little misleading. I suspect, indeed, that this deer is really a native of the Luristan Hills, and that those I occasionally meet with on the Karoon are a few which wander down along it in the dry season. It is certain that there are more of them on the Karoon during the hot months than in winter. I have got a few horns from Luristan and some Gazelles' skulls from various parts of Arabia, which I shall send you by the first opportunity. Natives tell m e the Luristan Hills abound in wild sheep and deer of various kinds. I should like m u c h to visit them ; but the inhabitants are predatory and fanatical, and if one wished, as I should, to leave the caravan-route, and explore the hills, a stronger party than I could conveniently muster would be necessary. I went twice to the Karoon last winter, but saw no deer on either occasion. Lions were plentiful, and other kinds of game consequently scarce, I hope to be more fortunate next season." Busreh, May 30, 1875. The table, which I here append, of some comparative cranial measurements of Cervus mesopotamicus and Cervus dama* will, I trust, be of service in the determination of the species. Cervus mesopotamicus. Greatest length of skull in ' a straight line Distance from anterior" rim of orbit to free extremity of the prse- Distance from anterior extremity of nasals to free extremity of prse- Width between the orbits. Width of upper extremity" of the nasals between the anteorbital vacui- Distance from lower rim of orbit to maxillo-inalar suture Distance from maxillo-malar suture to alveolus of posterior molar Extent of upper premolar \ Extent of upper molar 1 series J inches. 12*3 6*5 2-7 4-6 2-9 1-15 •9 1-55 21 1 metre. 0*313 0 165 0069 0*117 0074 0-028 0 023 0-039 0-053 Cervus dama. inches. ni 5*9 2*2 41 1-8 •6 1-1 1-35 1-9 metre. 0-282 0-150 0-056 0104 0046 0016 0-027 0034 0048 * The measurements of Cervus dama are taken from an unusually large outlying Buck. |
