Qlassification, 93 



*« the Black Tail Deer is the largest of the true deer of the restricted genus 

 {Cervus,) found in North America. It derives its specific name {Macrctis) 

 from tlie great length of the ears, resembling those of the mule, whence it is 

 lometimos called nu;l3 deer. Its more common appellation, black tail, is 

 owing to the black tip to Iho tail. In size it is considerably larger than the 

 common Virginian doer. 



" This species is limited in its range by the Missouri river, cast of which 

 it is seldom seen. In ascending this stream it is found on Vermilion river, 

 increasing in number nortiiwartl.^ to the Sascalchev.-an. In tlie Black Hills 

 it is very abundant, as v/cli as in the most of the Eocky Mountain ranges, 

 even as far south as Texas. It is, however, confined to the eastern side of 

 the mountains, being replaced towards the Pacific by the closely allied Cervus 

 Richardsonii." 



The mule deer does not extend ite range into any portion of Canada, 

 and we have no accounts of its remains having been discovered in this country. 

 It is probable therefore that its present habitation is that assigned to tbo 

 ipecies. 



The Cervus Richardsonii above mentioned is a smaller animal, with a 

 black tail, very common in Oregon, and is said to range along the western 

 coast of North America to the Russian pssscssions. If this be true, then it 

 ihould also bo included among those inliabiting the British possessions. — 

 But until we learn more about it, we prefer not to place it in the catalogue. 



NEW GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE DEER. 



The follovv'ing is the new classification of the Deer family to which we 

 have several times referred in the six preceedii^g articles : — 



The dental formula of the deer is, generally speaking, the same as in the 



girafTes, goats, antelopes, sheep, oxen, &c, ; namely, 



C— C— G 



Incisors,- ; Canines, ; Molars, =32. 



8 C— C— G 



Of the molars, both in the upper and lower jaw, six are true and sis 

 false. In the upper jaw the three first molars are bordered by a thick crest 

 on their internal surface; the three next have all the characters of the 

 molars in the dromedaries. In the lower jaw the first incisor is the 

 longest, the second and the third rather decrease, and the fourth is very 

 small ; all have cutting edges. 'J'hc two first falee molars are simple ; the 

 third lias a process or heel at its posterior part, and the three oth.crs do not 

 diflfer from those of the upper jaw. In the formula given above the canines 

 are noted as absent ; but this general rule is not without exception, seme of 

 the species presenting canines similar to those of Musks {luoscltus) iu the 

 upper jaw. Muntjak lias these teeth large'y developed. 



The Deer-Tribe possess the I>acliryma! Sinus, or, as it is often termed, 

 the Suborbital Sinus (Larmiers of the French, Tear-Pits of the English, 

 Orumen of others.) even more universally than the Antelopes. 



The late Mr. Bennett was of opinion that the use of the lachrj-mal 



