52 VERTEBRATES I MAMMALS. 



ity of which is turned inwards in the upper, and outwards 

 in the lower ones. Of all animals the Ruminants seem 

 to be the most useful to man, furnishing him with milk 

 and flesh for food, and hides for leather ; and many of 

 them are used for beasts of burden and for draught. 



CERVID^E, OR DEER FAMILY. This interesting Fam- 

 ily comprises all the ruminants which have the horns 



Fig. 43- 



Moose, A. atnericanas, Jardine. 



solid and deciduous. These prominences, or horns, 

 are at first covered with skin similar to that upon 

 the rest of the head. At their base is a ring of bony 

 tubercles, which, as they enlarge, compress and oblit- 

 erate the bloodvessels of that skin, and the latter be- 



