22t> FAUNA AMERICANA. 



Order PECORA. 

 Ruminating Animals: 



Character. Inferior incisors only,* and most 

 frequently eight in number. 



Canines sometimes wanting ; crowns of the 

 molars formed of two double crossings of enamel, 

 disposed in pairs, and in inverse directions in the 

 two jaws, the convexity being turned outward in 

 the lower jaw, and inward in the upper ; four ex- 

 tremities solely destined for progression ; two 

 equal toes furnished with hoofs; a single meta- 

 carpal or metatarsal bone for the two toes of each 

 foot. 



No clavicles ; organs of digestion disposed for 

 rumination; four stomachs, 1. the ventriculus, or 

 paunch ; 2. reticulum, bonnet, or honey-comb bag; 



3. omasum, or many-plies, which is the smallest : 



4. obomasum, ventriculus intestinalis, Gaillette, or 

 Red, which has a pyriform appearance, and is next 

 in size to the paunch. Intestines very much de- 

 veloped ; mammae, to the number of two or four? 

 always inguinal. Often with horns, which vary in 

 structure ; nourishment, vegetable substances. 



Habit. Peaceable ; living in forests, where they 



* The Camels form the only exception ; these having two 

 lateral teeth implanted in the os incisivum of each side ; but they 

 have the form and use of canines. 



