358 UNGULATA. 



With regard to the structure and precise affinities of most 

 of the fossil forms which have been referred to the Traguli- 

 dm, great uncertainty still obtains, and it is not at present 

 possible to speak very positively as to the precise range of 

 the family in past time. It seems quite possible that the 

 Upper Eocene and Miocene Xi^jhodon and Cainotherium, 

 as has been previously noticed, are really referable to the 



Fig. 649. — Side view of tlie skull of Tragulus Javanicus. (After Giebel.) 



Tragulida'. In the Miocene period in Europe it seems 

 certain that various types of Tragididm were in existence. 

 Thus the Drcmotlierimn and Amphitragtdus of the Miocene 

 are probably true Chevrotains ; and the existing genus Ifgo- 

 moschus has been said to occur in deposits of the same age 

 in France. The genus Tragulus itself has not been dis- 

 covered in the fossil condition, and no remains clearly 

 referable to this family have yet been detected in the 

 Tertiaries of America. 



c. CervMcc. — This family is of much greater importance 

 than that of the Tragididm, including as it does all the true 

 Deer. They are distinguished from the other Euminants 

 chiefly by the nature of the horns, which are wanting in the 

 Musk-deer {Moschus) and in a few other forms. With the 

 single exception of the Eeindeer, these appendages are 

 confined to the males amongst the Cervidce, and do not 

 occur in the females. They do not consist, as in the 

 succeeding group, of a hollow sheath of horn surrounding a 

 central bony core, nor are they permanently retained by the 

 animal. On the other hand, the horns — or, as they are 

 more properly called, the antlers — of the Cervidoj. are 

 deciduous, and are solid. Most usually the antlers are 



