CHAP. XVII.] 



MAMMALIA. 



221 



Family 51.— CAMELOPAEDALID^. (1 Genus, 1 Species.) 



The Camelopardalidse, or giraffes, now consist of but a single 

 species which ranges over all the open country of the Ethiopian 

 region, and is therefore almost absent from West Africa, which 

 is more especially a forest district. During the Middle Tertiary 

 period, however, these animals had a wider range, over Southern 

 Europe and Western India as far as the slopes of the Hima- 

 layas. 



Extinct Species. — Species of Gamelopardalis have been found 

 in Greece, the Siwalik Hills, and Perim Island at the entrance 

 to the Eed Sea; and an extinct genus, Helladotherium, more 

 bulky but not so tall as the giraffe, ranged from the south of 

 Prance to Greece and North-west India. 



Family 52.— BOVID^. (34 Genera, 149 Species.) 



This large and important family, includes all the animals com- 

 monly known as oxen, buffaloes, antelopes, sheep, and goats, 

 which have been classed by many naturalists in at least three, 

 and sometimes four or five, distinct families. Zoologically, they 



