SUB-FAMILY CERVINAE. 



Horns solid, always present in the males; sometimes in the females, not covered with skin. Feet bifed, with two small 

 hoops behind and above the large ones. 



The preceding diagnosis is that of the genus Cervus, of older authors, although the great 

 number of subdivisions, many of them quite different from each other, would seem to render it 

 desirable to establish a sub-family to include them. The systematic arrangements of Sundevall, 

 Gray, Pucheran, Wagner, and others, may be referred to for information respecting the varia 

 tions in the different sections of the group ; for my present purpose, however, I need merely 

 mention those having a direct relation to the North. American species. Of these there are 

 three which may be briefly characterized as follows, (from Wagner :) 



1. ALCE. Horns very broadly palmated throughout, found only in the male ; nose entirely covered with hair, except a 

 small naked spot between the nostrils ; very broad anteriorly. 



The single species is the Alee americanus, or American moose. 



2. BANGIFBR. Horns broadly palmated at the tip ; found in both sexes. Nose entirely hairy ; hoofs dilated ; sub-oval. 



Of this genus, embracing the reindeer, America possesses two species the JR. caribou and 

 groenlandicus. 



3. CERVUS. Horns more or less rounded, or cylindrical, or conical ; sometimes partly flattened, or subpalmated. Nose 

 naked and moist. Sub-orbital sinuses distinct. 



It is in this genus that our best known North American species fall : such as Cervus cana- 

 densis, virginianus, leucurus, mexicanus, macrotis, and columbianus. It has been generally 

 customary to place the Cervus canadensis under another genus, Elaphus, but, for my present 

 purposes, I prefer to retain all the deer with naked muzzles together. 



