400 



INTnODUCTIOX TO ZOOLOGT. 



conducive to liis progress in arts and civilization. From them 

 he derives a considerable portion of his food and clothing, 

 whether in a savage or a civilized state of society. Tiieir milk, 

 their flesh, their wool, hides, horns, and hoofs, are all con- 

 verted to his uses ; whilst from many of them he derives the 

 most valuable assistance in the labours of the field, and in the 

 transport of commodities. Thus the Rein-deer (Fig. 314), 

 as is well known, forms the chief comfort and the principal 

 means of subsistence to the Laplander ; and the Yak or Kash- 

 gow, confers similar benefits on the inhabitants of Thibet and 

 Pamir." 



From this general distribution of the Ruminating animals, 

 the continent of Australia must be excepted ; among the pecu- 

 liar Fauna of that country, as well as in Madagascar, New 

 Guinea, and the greater number of the South Sea Islands, no 



species of this order has yet been 

 ^/' I V i discovered. 



Whether the foot is cloven as 

 in the Deer {Fig. 315), and other 

 animals of the present order, or 

 encased in a solid hoof as in 

 the Horse {Fig. 316), it is equally 

 unfitted to assist in the capture 

 of living prey, and the food con- 

 sequently consists of vegetables. 

 The molar teeth, as might be 

 expected, are so formed as to 

 be peculiarly efficient instruments 

 for the mastication of such sub- 

 stances ; and we learn from 

 Fig 315 Fig. 316. Professor Owen, that, " not only 



orders and genera, but even species, are characterized by the 

 various patterns which result from the various forms, direc- 

 tions, and proportions in which the enamel and cement alternate 

 with the dentine," or substance of the teeth, in the crowns of 

 the complex molars.* 



In the brief notice here given of the ruminating animals, 

 the facts relating to their geographical distribution are given 

 on the authority of Mr. AVaterhouse, and occasionally in his 

 words. Some well-known example is adduced of each of the 

 nine groups enumerated by that eminent naturaUst. 

 * Odontography, p. 527. 



