60 Field Columbian Museum — Zoology, Vol. III. 



side of legs pale brown. Band above hoofs, under part and sides of 

 tail, narrow space on haunches beneath the tail, and scrotum, white. 

 Ears blackish brown. No caudal patch. 



Antlers with both brow tines palmated. Number of points on 

 antlers fifty-six, twenty-eight on each side. Measurements around 

 burr, 172; along curvature, 1,156; greatest spread, 875; between 

 tips of longest tines, 820 ; between tips of main beams, 680 ; breadth 

 of palmation of right brow tine, 218 ; of left brow tine, 155. Height 

 of animal at shoulder, taken in the flesh, 1,398 ; around neck behind 

 ears, 863. Length from nose to root of tail (mounted specimen), 

 1,900. 



On first looking at this example one is impressed by its uniform 

 dark color, this hue extending over the entire under parts, and this is 

 more remarkable from the fact that of all the known species of this 

 genus there is none without some white on the belly, unless R. daw- 

 soni may be an exception. This would seem to be a recognizable 

 character if constant, and cause this animal to be rather conspicuous 

 among other forms. Unfortunately, however, an inspection of the 

 skin of the female discloses the fact that while the back is chocolate 

 brown like that of the male, a large caudal patch and the belly are 

 white, this hue extending even on to the sides of the body. It is 

 hardly to be supposed that the sexes are distinguished by the pres- 

 ence or absence of white, but more probable that this hue is a vari- 

 able quantity appearing in a greater or less degree on individuals 

 without being influenced by any controlling cause. Of the charac- 

 ters mentioned by Dr. Allen as probably specific, it is evident that 

 little dependence can be placed on the fringe on the lower part of the 

 neck, as this is visible on most caribou, lengthening as the hairs grow 

 to the shaggy, thick coat of winter, and is an appendage to a greater 

 or less degree on the neck of the Canadian caribou {R. caribou), 

 familiar to all hunters of that animal. Mr. Lee's specimen has a 

 very moderate fringe, slightly lengthening at its lowest point. The 

 "large size and peculiar form of the anterior branch" (by which, I 

 suppose, that which would represent the " bez " is intended,) of 

 the antler is not particularly remarkable in Mr. Lee's specimen 

 whose photograph is here given, although it is exceedingly well 

 developed, and from the fact that there is so great a diversity 

 among horns of caribou, both in shape, size, and various peculi- 

 arities, to a degree that no two are nearly alike, it is hardly safe 

 to rely upon any one of them for a specific character. Of the 

 horns of Mr. Lee's two males, here shown on the plates, it will 

 be readily seen that not only do they differ widely from each other, but 



