6 ARKIV FÖR ZOOLOGI. BAND 5. NiO 10. 



thralis which, however, hardly projects more t han 1 mm. 

 beyond the tip of tlie penis (fig. 5). In the same way as in 

 Sylvicapra grimmia the sides of the groove mentioned are 

 continued backwards in the shape of two folds which sur- 

 round the urethra on the lower side of the penis. The left 

 of these is better developed than the right. The structure of 

 the penis of Redunca is thus very similar to that of Sylvi- 

 capra grimmia. Compared with the condition found in Gohus 

 (as is described above) the Reedbuck represents a stage of 

 higher development even if this chiefly makes itself known 

 by a reduction of some parts. 



In this connection it may be remembered that H. Winge 

 (9) has expressed fehe general opinion that the Reedbucks have 

 reached a higher stage in their development than the Water- 

 bucks. This view which apparently is based chiefly on osteolo- 

 gical characteristics is thus supported by the above related 

 facts. 



When the facts now revealed con- 



cerning the shape of the penis of the 

 Fig. 5. End of penis suhisimiUes C epJialophince and C ervicapvincB 

 of Redunca arundinum. and perhaps also Neotragiuce are consi- 



dered it becomes quite apparent that the 

 reduction of the processus urethralis has taken place several 

 times independently during the course of the development as 

 there are as well primitive »ovine» as reduced »bovine» types 

 represented within the same subfamily. At the same time as 

 this is admitted, tlie characteristic derived from the shape 

 of the penis-end gets its taxonomic importance modified. 

 The »ovine )> type is older and more primitive and may there- 

 fore be represented in different kinds of ruminan ts wdthout. 

 any regard to the size of the animal or other characteristics 

 as may be concluded from such facts as the shape of the 

 penis being essentially alike in such widely distant animals 

 as the gigantic Giraffa and the pigmy Cephalophus melano- 

 rheus. Concerning the »bovine» penis-type some authors ap- 

 pear to hold a view supposing it to stånd in connection with 

 a bulk and a size approaching to the bovine stage. At least, 

 such an opinion appears to be expressed by Gerhardts (4) 

 words when he says (k c. p. 152): »Unter der bunt zusam- 

 mengesetzten Menge der Antilopen finden sich ausgesprochen 

 rinderähnliche Formen, wie Connochcetes, Buhalis, Oreas 



