AS A SPECIES 137 



would seem that, in this respect, the Newfoundland Caribou 

 differ slightly from the various other species. It would be 

 interesting to know whether the tendency, in the way of 

 development, is towards increase or decrease of the growth of 

 horn ; and whether, in the far distant future, the Newfound- 

 land does will be entirely hornless. If we may judge from 

 other species of deer, it would seem that the size of horns is 

 gradually diminishing. 



In considering the question as to which of the various 

 groups of Caribou should be regarded as species, there is 

 some stress laid on the size of the various geographical races ; 

 but it does not seem reasonable that size, unless it is 

 extremely marked, should be taken as evidence of dis- 

 tinctiveness, because the conditions under which the animal 

 lives must necessarily have decided effect on its growth. 

 For instance, the Kenai Peninsula (Alaska) appears to produce 

 types of unusual size, as, for example, the Kadiak bear, 

 which is by far the largest of the grizzlies. So also is Stone's 

 Caribou of that region the largest of the so-called Barren 

 Ground group. Yet it is, probably, only a geographical 

 race of the Osborn and mountain varieties, even though these 

 are of the Woodland group, while Stone's is not supposed to 

 be closely allied to Grant's, which is considered to belong 

 to the Barren Ground lot. If this does not make a con- 

 fusion of species, groups and races, it is hard to say what 

 would. 



For the possible benefit of the reader, the following tables 

 of species are given. European classification : 



