OCR Text |
Show 358 UK. E. l.ONXiSERd OX T11E [Dec. 2, the anterior palmation is larger than the posterior. Sometimes, again, the anterior portion of the antler is bent so as to form more or less nearly a right angle with the posterior palmation ; and occasionally the two points of a fork do not lie in the same frontal plane, but one behind the other. These instances must suffice to show the great variability in the form of elk-antlers, and at the same time to indicate that in Sweden 110 division into subspecies or races can be founded 011 such differences, at any rate for the present. It is true that sometimes in a particular district most of the Elk display antlers of the same type ; but this is easily explained by the close relationship of the individuals, so that only family groups are formed, and 110 greater differentiation is indicated. In order to show the dimensions of the antlers, and to indicate that these also vary greatly, the following table has been drawn up, the heads measured being enumerated in the same order as described above :- 1 Frontal breadth between the burr of the antlers. Circumference of the antlers just above the burr. Distance between the uppermost tines. Greatest width between the two most distant points. 111111. 111111. 111111. 111111. No. 1 194 152 920 995 2 209 180 870 1105 3 ............ 182 182 850 1040 4 ......... 187 145 890 1020 5 ............ 179 175 905 965 6 ............ 205 215 1135 1330 7 ......... 194 156 975 1100 8 ............ 177 165 860 1035 9 ............ 80 + 4 0 1 180 s 7o 1105 1 0 ............ 165 175- 905 965 From these measurements it will be seen that the dimensions of skull and antlers are subject to a comparatively great variation, and that, for instance, a smaller frontal width may be united with large antlers, and vice versO. It is also apparent that the antlers of the " cervine" or " intermediate" types reach dimensions approximately equal to, and sometimes indeed superseding, those of the " palmated" type. The " cervine" and " intermediate" types cannot therefore be said to be the result of degeneration in the strict meaning of that word. By this I do not intend to imply that there are no degenerate elk-antlers to be found in Sweden, since such small and degenerate antlers frequently occur. These, however, include " palmated," " intermediate," and " non-palmated " types, although the latter may be the more numerous. From the more southern provinces especially (such as Smiiland), 1 A teratological continuation from the burr of the right side covers a good deal of the frontal. The distance from the left burr to the median line is about 80 rum.; if normal the breadth should thus have been 160 mm. 3 On the normal side. |