CERVID^E 329 



while the placenta and viscera likewise agree with those of the true 

 Deer. In the total absence of any ossification of the vomer to 

 divide the posterior nares Hydropotes resembles Capreolus and differs 

 from all the following genera. The Chinese Water-Deer is nearly 

 of the same size as the Indian Muntjac. It has short legs and a 

 long body, the hair covering the latter being of a light reddish- 

 brown. It is a remarkably prolific animal, differing from all other 

 Deer in producing five or six young at a time. 



The mandible of a ruminant from the Middle Miocene of Gers 

 in France, described under the name of Platyprosopus, presents such 

 a marked remblance to Hydropotes in the form of the angle as to 

 suggest a more or less intimate affinity. 



Cariacus. 1 — Skull (Fig. 132) with the vomer dividing the 

 posterior nares into two distinct chambers ; premaxillae not reach- 

 ing nasals. Antlers never greatly exceeding the length of the head. 

 Lachrymal vacuity very large, and lachrymal fossa small. Auditory 

 bulla? slightly inflated. Vertebras: C 7, D 13, L 6, S 4, C 13. Tail 

 long or short. Colour uniform in adult. 



This genus, which agrees with the Reindeer in the division of 

 the posterior nares by the ossified vomer, comprises a number of 

 species confined to the New World, none of which attain very 

 large dimensions, and the antlers of which are relatively smaller 

 than in the existing species of Cervus. The genus may be divided 

 into groups. 



The typical Cariacine group, as represented by C. virginianus, 

 has well -developed antlers, with a short brow tine rising from 

 the inner side of the beam, and directed upwards, and several 

 branches ; a long tail ; and no upper canines. In this species, as 

 well as in C. mexicanus and other forms, the antlers do not divide 

 dichotomously, and the lachrymal fossa is of moderate depth. The 

 Mule Deer {C. macrotis) of North America is distinguished by the 

 dichotomous branching of the antlers and the deeper lachrymal 

 fossa. The Virginian Deer is somewhat smaller than the Fallow 

 Deer, and of a uniform reddish -yellow colour in summer, and light 

 gray in winter. 



The Blastocerine group of South America is represented by C. 

 paliulosus and C. campestris, and has dichotomous antlers, with no 

 brow tine, and the posterior branch the larger, a short tail, and no 

 upper canines. The Furciferine group includes C. chilensis and 

 ft antisiensis, confined to western South America. The antlers are 

 not longer than the head, with a large anterior tine curving forwards 

 at right angles to the simple posterior one. Auditory bulla? slightly 

 inflated, and rugose. Upper canines may be present. The species 

 are of medium size, ft clavatus, of Central America, while resem- 

 bling this group in the characters of the skull and the arrangement 

 1 Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1850, p. 237. 



