184 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



[1885. 



in Cervus ; anterior nares very much smaller than in the former, 

 but larger than in the latter ; premaxillai shaped as in Cervus 

 and reaching the nasals. Head broader than in Alces, promi- 

 nence on frontal ridge and supra-occipital indentation absent. 

 Upper and lower molars with supplementary columns ; no upper 

 canines. Ante-orbital vacuity bounded above by a separate bone 

 (prefrontal?). Neck and trunk short, legs exceedingly long. 

 Distal ends of lateral metacarpals present ; internal cuneiform 

 fused with the metatarsal. 



As Harlan's name must undoubtedly be retained this species 

 will be known as Cervalces americanus. 



In the skeleton of this curious and striking fossil, the most 

 obvious peculiarity is the great length of the legs, which gives 

 the animal a remarkably stilted appearance, while the thorax is 

 shallow, and the neck short. The shoulders are higher than the 

 hips, as in the moose, and unlike the stag. The combined length 

 of the head and neck shows that in the ordinary position of the 

 legs, the muzzle would not reach the ground by 14 or 15 inches. 

 Measured in the same manner the moose's muzzle reaches within 

 about 10 inches from the ground, and that of Megaceros 8 or 9. 

 These facts are of importance with reference to the question of 

 the animal's habits and the presence of a prehensile upper lip. 



Turning now to the characteristics of the skeleton in detail, we 

 begin with : 



Flo. 1. Side view of face of Cervus Canadensis. 



