The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. & Emma Darwin. 1871.03. The Formosan deer. CUL-DAR189.49. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 10.2023. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR189 contains material for Darwin's book Expression of the emotions.

[49]

Mar. 1871 The Formosan deer, C. taiwanus [Cervus pseudaxis] approached me with horns pressed on back & head mouth raised obliquely upwards — very curious attitude, which I cd not understand; from expression of eye

I felt sure it was savage; when it came close to the iron railing he struck fiercely at me thro' the bars. Mr. B. says this gesture is common to many deer & think it is partly due to the attitude always assumed during roaring, but may be partly due to the head being

[49v]

placed in proper position for suddenly striking with its horns, it in a manner quite distinct from ordinary butting

But the deer had his head erect, before he struck at me

[Expression, p. 131.]

Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)