176 The Mammalia of Essex ; a Contribution towards a
eight pounds is the average, but I once saw a female turn the
scale at ten pounds and a half.
Lepus cuniculus. The Rabbit.—This destructive creature
is very common in all parts of Essex, and requires little
to be said about it; its food, habits, and appearance being
familiar to all dwellers in the country. But it may not
be so well known that occasionally specimens occur which
in colour are quite black, and this without, as I believe,
any admixture of tame blood.
Ruminantia. Cervidae.
Cervus Elephas. Bed Deer or Stag.—I fear this beau-
tiful animal must be considered extinct in this county,
unless there should be a lingerer in Epping Forest, where
Bell in his 'British Quadrupeds' says a few were found down
to the present century.8
Cervus dama. Fallow Deer.—This animal was very early
introduced into Britain, of which it is not therefore a
true native ; but as it exists in many parks in this comity
in a semi-domesticated condition, I have thought fit to
introduce it into the list of our fauna. I see occasional
mention of deer in Epping Forest; this species is the one
probably meant. It is to be hoped that the managers of
this lovely haunt of the Londoners will take steps to protect
the few there, and so add to the attractions of the woods.9
Cetacea.
The order Cetacea is one of the most difficult divisions of
Mammalia for practical study, especially for naturalists who
8 [Red Deer existed in Epping Forest as late as the year 1827. See
'Proceedings,' i. xlvii.—Ed.]
9 [The Fallow Deer still lives in the Forest in a wild state in very eon-
considerable numbers, and the specimens exhibit abnormal characters, .
perhaps the result of long isolation and inter-breeding. Mr. Harting is
studying the subject, and he has promised to bring it before the Club at
no very distant date.—Ed.]