Spotted axis; chital; cheetal; spotted deer or axis deer Axis axis (Cervus axis)鈥業t inhabits the dry hilly forests of Ceylon; Borneo; Celebes and Java; in herds of hundreds. In Java and Celebes these animals grow very fat. In those two islands are great hunting matches and multitudes are killed at a time. The flesh is cut into small pieces and dried in the sun and salted for use.'Handcoloured copperplate engraving from 鈥楾he Naturalist's Pocket Magazine; or; Complete Cabinet of the Curiosities and Beauties of Nature' (1798~1802) published by Harrison; London.