916 



THE UNGULATES, OR HOOFED MAMMALS 



tion below it was more or less hardened or partially converted into horn. This 

 intervening section gradually moved down the horn, constantly invading the soft skm 

 below and followed above with perfected horn. All this time the horn was grow- 

 ing in length above the core, and assuming that posterior curvature near its upper 

 part which so much resembles the curvature of the horns of the chamois. After the 

 horn is perfected down to the top of the cores, it ceases to increase in length, while 

 the apparently converting process steadily progresses downward along or around 

 the core. The cores being laterally compressed, the horn assumes the same form, 



not, however, conform- 

 ing precisely to the 

 shape of the core, but 

 extending considerably 

 in front of it, where it 

 is thinner than the pos- 

 terior part. At the upper 

 extremity of the wide 

 flattened part, the snag 

 or prong is thrown out, 

 which consists of little 

 more than an abrupt 

 termination of the wide 

 part, with an elevated 

 exterior point. By the 

 latter part of winter, in 

 the adult, the horn has 

 attained about this stage 

 of growth. From this 

 it presses on, hardening 

 in its downward growth 

 till the latter part of 

 summer, by which time 

 HEAD OF PRONGBUCK, WITH NEWLY-GROWING HORNS. ^e growth is perfected 



(From Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1880, p. 540.) 



down to the base, and is 



a complete weapon for warfare. In this state it continues until the new horn has 

 commenced its growth and begun to displace the old one from its position, in the 

 manner described above. ' ' 



As regards habits, the prongbuck is a shy and timid creature, avoid- 

 ing its enemies with great intelligence, although sometimes betrayed 

 into danger by its extreme curiosity. It is swifter than any other native North- 

 American Ungulate, but is somewhat short winded and cannot maintain its speed 

 for any length of time. Prongbucks are essentially gregarious, and, according to 

 Dr. Canfield, individuals of both sexes and of all ages congregate in herds from the 

 beginning of September to the end of February. By the beginning of March, 

 the same writer states, ' ' the does separate themselves from the band one by one to 

 drop their kids. They produce two at a birth. After a little time the does collect 



Habits 



