The MUSK-DEER.
Of the Muſk Deer much doubt and various opinions have been held, by travellers and naturaliſts, in which claſs of quadrupeds to place it; ſome contend for the Horſe, ſome the Ox, and other the Deer; the latter appears the beſt deciſion, notwithſtanding the animal wants thoſe ſtriking characteriſtics the horns; ſuffice it for us, the animal is known by the name of the Muſk-Deer. The figure here drawn, will better ſhew its form, than any deſcription.
This animal is particularly known by producing that celebrated drug the muſk, which heretofore was in high eſteem as a perfume, and at this time is conſidered as a very powerful and valuable medicine in nervous and other caſes. In the male animal only, this exudation gathers in a ſmall bag or cuſhion, between the legs, near the groin, in ſubſtance like coagulated blood, or, as ſome deſcribe it, a brown fatty matter; indeed certain information is wanting of this particular. Mr. Gmelin reports, that when the bag by being over-full becomes troubleſome, the animal expreſſes part by rubbing againſt a tree, or other convenient place; the matter dropping in ſmall parcels on the ground is ſecured, and is eſteemed by much the beſt muſk.
Others again report, that it comes to market only in the repoſitory formed by nature, which is not bigger than a ſmall egg, and that the weight of four is not more than an ounce. Conſidering its ſmallneſs, the animals muſt be in great abundance to ſupply the quantities uſed in Europe only; in the Eaſt its reputation being much greater, its uſe muſt be more general. The male animal only producing this treaſure, muſt be hunted and killed for the bag. This drug, like every other article of value, is very liable to adulterations; ſmall pieces of lead are thruſt into the bag to increaſe the weight, and foreign matters often mixed with it, to augment the quantity.
To the mouth of the male animal there grow two teeth or tuſks from the upper jaw, rather bent; theſe are very white; to the female theſe are wanting; the latter alſo is much ſmaller than the male. The fleſh is ſtrongly impregnated with the perfume of muſk, but is nevertheleſs eaten by the Tartars.
They inhabit various parts of the Eaſt Indies, China, Tartary, and Siberia, from which latter place the one here drawn was brought. The colour, a reddiſh brown, marked on each ſide the throat with a ſtripe of white, and ſeveral ſplotches of the ſame on the flanks; the attitude of the hind legs was alſo very aukward, as expreſſed in the drawing. Naturally dwell among the mountains, and feed on herbage, and the young buds of trees, particularly, particularly pines: prefer ſolitude, and avoid mankind: if purſued, flee to the higheſt ſummits, inacceſſible to men or dogs.
The ſize of the one from which this drawing was taken, was, from the noſe to the inſertion of the tail, two feet four inches; from the ground to the ſhoulder, twenty inches.
