180 



BULLETIN 56, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



covered with velvet. Still another adult male (No. 58862, U.S.N.M.), 

 killed November L8, had perfect horns, from which the velvet had 

 entirely disappeared. 



Dental characters. — The teeth of the incisor-canine series, like 

 those of Odocoileus texanus and other white-tailed deer are small 

 and narrow compared to those of the black-tailed and mule deer. 

 (Fig. 15.) 



Fig. l-l.— Oimx'oilei's couesi. Antlers of adult. (Cat. No. 59230, U.S.N.M. I 



Replacement nf the milk teeth. — The mandibular incisors are the 

 first to be replaced. The permanent canines and incisors — found 

 only in the under jaw — are perfected by the time the last molar has 

 risen to its place and before any milk molar has been shed. A male 

 (No. 35750. U.S.N.M.). about a year old. killed July 15. with its 



Fig. 15.— Odocoileus couesi, Teeth of adult females. <i. In. isor-canine series viewed from i* 

 front; ''. i rownsof right upper molars; ('. outeb later w view of right upper molars. 



mother." had acquired the first (inner) permanent incisors, the sec- 

 ond being: plainly visible, carrying the corresponding milk tooth on 

 its summit. Its growing horns, in velvet, were 51 mm. in length. 

 The last lower molar is just rising above the alveolar socket, ami the 

 hindermost upper molar is just breaking through it- bony capsule. 



" The mother (No. -.,'-,'-]':. U.S.N.M) contained two fetuses, aboul to he born, 

 one of which (No. 20558, U.S.N.M) was preserved. 



