356 SCOTT. [Vol. XI. 



Second phalanx, III digit, breadth of proximal end 

 Second phalanx, III digit, thickness of distal end 



Third phalanx, III digit, length 



Third phalanx, III digit, breadth of proximal end 

 Third phalanx. III digit, thickness of proximal end 



VII. Restoration (PI. XX). 



The general aspect of the skeleton, as a whole, resembles 

 that of the musk-deer. The head is proportionately much 

 longer, a character frequently found in the ancient mammals, 

 as compared with their recent representatives, though in this 

 case the elongation principally affects the facial region, which 

 is not an ancient but a modern character. In the living animal 

 the appearance of the head must have been entirely different 

 from that of MoscJms; even the female doubtless had the pro- 

 boscidiform muzzle, which among the recent ruminants is found 

 only in the saiga antelope and to a less extent in the moose 

 {Alces). The difference is, of course, exaggerated in the case 

 of the male, whose bizarre skull is not to be compared with that 

 of any existing mammal whatever. 



The spinal column, in length, weight, curvature, and in the 

 proportions of the various regions, is very similar indeed to that 

 of MoscJms ; the neck is heavier and actually longer, though 

 much shorter as compared with the length of the skull ; the 

 trunk is of about the same length and the thorax deeper and 

 more capacious. The lumbar region has broader transverse 

 processes, but more delicate spines, which curve more decidedly 

 forward, and more prominent metapophyses, all of which are 

 traguline features and perhaps indicate a more pronounced 

 curvature of this region of the back than in the musks. There 

 can hardly be any doubt that Pi'otoceras had a distinctly longer 

 and better developed tail than most recent deer. 



The inequality in the length of the fore and hind limbs is 

 very nearly the same as that which is to be observed in Mosckus, 

 but the proportions of the different limb-segments are not 

 similar and the individual bones are heavier and stronger. 

 Thus, the scapula and the bones of the fore-arm are considera- 

 bly longer than in the existing animal and the carpus is much 



