MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 283 
. Antilope (Dicranoceros) furcifer SmiTH, Griff. Cuv. 
WAGNER, Sup. Schreb. Siiuget., iv. 
Antilocapra furcifer DESMAREST, Mamm. ii, 479. 
Antilope palmata SmMiru, Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. 
SMITH, Griff. Cuv., iv. 
WAGNER, Schreb. Siiuget., v. 
OGILBY, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1836. 
Antilope (Dicranoceros) palmata SMITH, Griff. Cuv., 1827. 
Antilope antefleca GRAY, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 
Cervus hamatus BLAINVILLE, Bull. Soc. Philomat., 1816. 
Dicranoceros furcifer SUNDEVALL, Konig. Sv. Vetonsh. Handl., 1844. 
Dicranoceros americanus TURNER, Proc. Zool Soc., 1850. 
Cervus bifurcatus RAFINESQUE, (Richardson. ) 
The prong-horn antelope is perhaps the most remarkable 
ruminant which enters our limits, not only because it is the 
only antelope of America, but because it possesses several 
peculiarities which entirely distinguish it from any other rumi- 
nant whatever. Although known from accounts of western 
hunters and pioneers for some time previous, the first scientific 
knowledge of the animals was derived from the specimen 
brought back by the Lewis and Clark exploring expedition. 
As we shall see beyond, this antelope forms the connecting 
link between the deer and the antelopes, and may be taken as 
a type long isolated and representing a group of animals of 
an inclusive type. At present this animal does not set foot 
within our borders, but at no very distant date, frequently 
entered the southwestern prairie counties. 
In size, the prong-horn is less than the common deer and 
considerably larger than a sheep. The body is very short and 
its build may rather be characterized as ‘‘stumpy ” than elegant. 
The legs are long but not graceful, while the feet are peculiar 
in not having either accessory hoofs or hock glands. The 
neck is not long for a deer, but is carried in an erect, and what 
seems a rather constrained attitude. The headis large andis 
redeemed from ugliness by the extraordinarily large eyes. 
The eyes are said to be larger than those of an ox, and, there- 
fore, relatively larger than those of any ruminant. The color 
is black, but the expression mild and winning. The eye is 
protected by ample lashes, especially upon the upper lid. 
There is no larmier without orinternally. The ears are pointed 
and hairy inside and out, being about five inches long and quite 
narrow. The muzzle is blunt and hairy with only a narrow 
naked space in the middle about one-quarter of an inch in 
width and expanding to include the nostrils. The nostrils are 
large and less oblique than in the deer. The horns are the 
