666 THE OKAPI OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



in the ancestors of the giraffe) grew antlers or horns which were shed 

 from time to time, as in the deer. This is the case with the modern 

 prongbuck and in all probability this was the case with the ancestors 

 of the giraffe and other early members of the giraffine family. To-day 

 the giraffe nly retains the long horn cores or sockets, from the end or 

 which in all probabihty antlers once sprang. In the case of the okapi 

 as already remarked, these bony prominences haye gradually dwindled 

 toecarc, y discernible bumps. In other respects, however, the new 

 beast of Central Africa represents pretty nearly the primitive type 

 from which the giraffe rose in exaggerated development of neck and 



