| OCR Text |
Show 1904.] NEW SPECIES OF TUFTED DEER. 169 makes a much nearer approach than it does to that of E. michianus, showing a similar conformation of the bones below the orbit, and apparently also a very similarly shaped preorbital cavity. The nasal bones are, moreover, of much the same relative length, their long diameter being one third of the basicranial length. On the other hand, E. cephalophus is at once distinguished by its greatly superior size, as is shown by the following table of the basicranial lengths of the four skulls available for comparison :- From this it is obvious that the Tibetan skull cannot possibly be the female of the form indicated by the adult Ichang specimen. If a male skull of E. cephalophus were available for comparison, I have little doubt that important differences between it and the Ichang specimen might be detected. As it is, the former species appears to have a much longer type of skull than the Ichang animal, from which it is also distinguished (so far as can be determined) by the much more solid structure of the walls of the preorbital cavity. In any case, the Ichang Deer is broadly distinguished from the Tibetan Elaphodus cephalophus by its greatly inferior size. The foregoing differences seem to leave no doubt as to the specific distinctness of the Ichang Tufted Deer, which may be named Elaphodus ichangensis (cf. Abstr. P. Z. S. 1904, No. 9, p. 10, June 14). It is characterised, as compared with E. michianus, by its darker and more uniform colour, whiter tail, smaller antlers, larger tusks, shorter nasals, and smaller, deeper, and more evenly circular preorbital fossa; while it is smaller than E. cephalQphus. The type will be the aforesaid adult male skull, collected by Mr. Styan. In conclusion, I may take the opportunity of referring to the skull of a female Tufted Deer (B.M. No. 98.3.7.18) obtained, together with the skin, by Mr. C. B. Rickett at Fing-ling, Fokien, lying considerably to the south of Ningpo. This skull is of the same general type as that of the female of E. michianus, but differs by its superior size, the basicranial length in the two specimens being respectively 6f and 6^ inches. The Fokien skull is further distinguished by the less marked elevation of the hinder half of the frontal region, which does not develop a median crest, and by the expansion and flattening of the platform formed by the base of the preorbital cavity and the anterior zygomatic root. There are also differences in the form of the paroccipital process in the two skulls, which, with other details, and their marked difference in size, appear to justify the reference of the Fokien Tufted Deer to a separate race, under the name of Elaphodus michianus fociensis. E. michianus, male... ,, female Ichang adult male..... E. cephalophus, female |
