36 THE ANTELOPE OF AMERICA. 



in all our comparisons. From more constant use, often in rough 

 and stony ground, the foot of the wild animal, by continual abra- 

 sion, is reduced in size and changed in form, as compared with 

 those that are kept in parks where they range but little, and then 

 generally on the soft grass. 



There is an entire want of even the rudiment of the posterior 

 accessary hoofs found on nearly all other ruminants, situate above 

 the useful hoofs. The leg or rather foot, where in other rumi- 

 nants these accessary hoofs are attached, is as clean and smooth 

 on the Prong Buck as on the horse, and even more so, for there 

 is no appearance of that tuft of longer hair which is observed on 

 nearly all horses at this place. 



The color of the hoof is black throughout. 



THE GLANDS. 



The remarkable system of cutaneous glands found on this ani- 

 mal is a striking characteristic. In the specific description of the 

 Prong Buck, the location of each of these glands — eleven in 

 number — is given. These secrete a substance of a waxy con- 

 sistence, of a saffron color and of a pungent odor, some more 

 copious than others. 



Sir John Richardson was the first to notice any of these glands. 

 He says : " There is a dark, blackish brown spot at the angle 

 of each jaw which exudes a strong herein odor." ^ Although 

 Richardson does not seem to liave made any study of the glands, 

 nor does he even mention them by name, the passage quoted 

 points directly to those found below the ears. 



Dr. Canfield seems to have been the first who bestowed any 

 serious study upon the glands of this animal. He says, ''The 

 strong and peculiar odor comes principally from the ischiadic 

 glands." This observation was made on the living animal, while 

 Richardson, from the dead subject, ascribed it to the subauricular 

 glands. If I agree with Dr. Canfield, that the hip glands are the 

 most effective in the emission of this odor, it is because the sub- 

 stance secreted is more pungent, for it is less in quantity than 

 that secreted by the glands on the head. The single gland on 

 the back is large, but not so active on the subjects I have ex- 

 amined as some of the others ; but in fact each does its part in 

 tainting the atmosphere which surrounds the animal. If the 

 elands between the toes do not contribute much to the odor we 

 observe in the atmosphere, they are sufficiently active to taint 



1 Fauna Boreala Americana p. 267. 



