e whole continent of Asia, even in China itself.

We now arrive at the species more especially termed _Asiatic_ or _Indian
Beer_. These form a numerous group, containing species that differ
essentially from each other.

There is the _Ritsa_, or Great Black Stag of the Japanese and Sumatrans.
It is named _black_ stag, from its dark brown colour during winter. It
is fully as large as our own stag; and is further distinguished by long
hair growing upon the upper part of its neck, cheeks, and throat, which
gives it the appearance of having a beard and mane! It inhabits Bengal,
and some of the large Indian islands.

The _Samboo_, or _Sambur_, is another large species, not unlike the
rusa. It is found in various parts of India, and especially in the
tropical island of Ceylon. Several varieties of it have been described
by naturalists.

In the Himalaya Mountains there exist two or three species of large
deer, not very well-known. One is the Saul Forest Stag, or Bara-singa--
a species almost as large as the Canadian wapiti. Another is the Marl,
or Wallich's Stag, which is also found in Persia. Still another
species, the Sika, inhabits Japan; and yet another, the Baringa, or
Spotted Deer of the Sunderbunds, dwells along the marshy rivers of this
last-mentioned territory. Again, there is the Spotted Rusa, and other
species, inhabitants of the Saul Forests. In fact, the number of
species of Indian deer is far from being accurately ascertained, to say
nothing of the very imperfect descriptions given of those that are
actually known.

When we come to the great Oriental islands--the Isles of Ind--we find
many new and beautiful species; some being large noble stags, while
others are tiny graceful little creatures like gazelles.

In Sumatra and Borneo we have a distinct species of Sambur Deer; in
Timor a smaller one; a third exists in Java; and a fourth in the
Philippines. In Java, too, we find the beautiful little Muntjak; and
another tiny variety in China, called the Chinese Muntjak.

Returning again to the Himalaya country, we encounter, in the plains
south of this great chain, the Spotted Axis, so well-known from its
beautiful markings, which resemble those of the fawn of our own
fallow-deer. But it may be remarked that there are two or three species
of spotted deer, and that they inhabit the plains of India--from the
Himalayas southward to the Island of Ceylon. Ascending these great
mountains, we encounter amo