The Takin 



In suggesting affinity with the oxen (bovines) the 

 author was clearly on the wrong tack, seeing that the 

 teeth of the muslc-ox (like those of the takin) are of a 

 somewhat different type, and much nearer those of the 

 sheep and goats. This was recognised by Dr. Blanford, 

 who in the Fauna of India observed that the takin 

 is " allied to both goats and antelopes ; I cannot see 

 the bovine affinities attributed to it." 



Sonje years later (1898) Dr. P. Matschie, of Berlin, 

 supported the view of the relationship of the takin to 

 the musk-ox, basing his conclusions on the shortness and 

 width of the cannon-bones, the shape of the skull and 

 horns, the small and peculiarly formed ears, the nature 

 of the muzzle, the shortness of the tail, the stout, short 

 legs, and the relatively large lateral hoofs. He might 

 have added that, as in serow, the females of both have 

 four teats. 



The next to enter the arena was Dr. E. Lonnberg, 

 of Upsala, who, in a paper published in the Zoological 

 Society's Proceedings for 1901, disputed the supposed 

 relationship. Dr. Lonnberg, it should be mentioned, 

 does not regard the musk-ox as a near relative of the 

 sheep and goats, but as the sole living representative 

 of a comparatively primitive group, which has become 

 specialised after its own particular style. He points 

 out that the muzzle of the two animals is different, 

 that of the takin having a downward prolongation of 

 the naked area to divide the upper lip after the fashion 

 of sheep and goats, and still more serows. To the 

 form of the ears, tail, and lateral hoofs he attaches 

 little importance ; while, as he truly remarks, the 

 horns of the two animals are strikingly diff^erent, 

 although he forgot to mention that, as in serows, those 

 of the females in both species are relatively large. He 

 also challenges the statement with regard to the pro- 

 portions of the cannon-bones ; but the measurements 

 given (although no doubt exact) are misleading. 

 When compared with the other bones of the legs, the 



159 



