CHAMBERS'S INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE. 



which inhabits all the temperate parts of North 

 America ; the Common Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), 

 of which there are several different races, some 

 having been domesticated ; the Cape Buffalo (B. 



American Bison (Bison Americanus). 



Coffer), an extremely ferocious animal, with large 

 horns, first directed downwards so as nearly to 

 cover the forehead, inhabiting the woods of 

 Caffraria ; and the Musk Ox (Oribos moschatus), 

 a species inhabiting the coldest regions of North 

 America, with short legs, and long hair reaching 

 to the ground, which diffuses more strongly than 

 the rest the musky odour common to the whole 

 genus, and which is particularly noticeable in the 

 European bison. The original wild stock of our 

 domestic breeds (Bos taunts) is uncertain. 



ORDER 6. Proboscidea. Of this group, the 

 Elephant (Elephas) is the only living genus ; 

 other species, as the Mammoth and Mastodon, 

 having become extinct in not very remote times. 

 The varieties yet surviving are animals of huge 

 size, which subsist in the great forests of India 

 and Africa by feeding on the leaves of trees and 

 long grass. The incisor teeth in the upper jaw, 

 two in number, grow from persistent pulps, and 

 form enormous tusks. Canines are absent in both 

 jaws, and the molars are few in number, composed 

 of plates of enamel cemented together by dentine. 

 These grinders are in constant progress of re- 

 moval, and they succeed each other by being 

 pushed forwards from behind in proportion as the 

 tooth before each is worn away. In none of the 

 living forms are there incisors in the lower jaw. 

 The nose is greatly elongated, forming a movable 

 cylindrical trunk (proboscis), terminated by a 

 finger-like process, which is very sensitive. The 

 nostrils are placed at the extremity of the pro- 

 boscis. The ' trunk ' is admirably adapted to serve 

 both as a means of laying hold of food and im- 

 bibing water : when the capacious nostrils are 

 charged, the animal bends the trunk towards the 

 mouth, and discharges the liquid into its throat. By 

 this organ, the shortness of the neck rendered 

 necessary by the weight of the head is fully com- 

 pensated. The cavity for the brain by no means 

 corresponds with the external form of the skull, the 

 two tables of which are separated by a consider- 

 able interval filled with bony cells. The elephant 

 has not a complete hoof, but five toes to each foot, 

 which are only distinct in the skeleton, the whole 

 being enveloped in callous skin, excepting the nails 

 at the extremities. Two species of elephants exist 

 at the present day, both of which inhabit tropi- 

 cal climates one in Asia (E. Indicus\ the other 

 in Africa (E. Africanus). Remains of the Mam- 



181 



moth (E. primigenius) are found chiefly in the 

 north of America and in Siberia ; and from a 

 nearly perfect specimen, which was discovered 

 frozen in the ice near the mouth of the river 



I, Head of Asiatic Elephant (Elephas Indicus) ; 2, Head 

 of African Elephant (Elephas Africanus). 



Lena, it appears that this species was adapted to 

 live in cold climates the skin being densely 

 covered with hair of two kinds. The head of a 

 remarkable fossil form, Deinotherium, has been 

 found in the Miocene deposits of France, &c. It 

 had molars in each jaw, and two incisor teeth in 

 the lower jaw, like the elephant, but these were 

 deflected downwards at right angles to the body 

 of the jaw. 



ORDER 7. Carnivora are distinguished by 

 characters which point them out as especially 

 formed for the pursuit and destruction of large 

 animals. They possess in the upper and lower 

 jaw six incisor teeth ; a large, strong, and pointed 

 canine tooth on each side ; and molar teeth which 

 are evidently formed for cutting and tearing, 

 rather than for bruising or grinding. The form of 

 these teeth varies, however, in the different genera, 

 in accordance with their several habits. In the 

 typical species, as the Lion and Tiger, the last 

 tooth but one in the upper jaw, and the last tooth 

 in the lower jaw, are known as carnassial, or 

 flesh-teeth, because they have sharp trenchant 

 edges for dividing flesh. In this group, clavicles 

 are wanting or rudimentary. The toes are fur- 

 nished with strong and sharp claws. The intes- 

 tines are short, in accordance with the easily 

 digested character of the food. 



This order is divided into three sections : 

 Section \. Pinnigrada, or Pinnipedia com- 

 prising the Seals and Walruses, which are Car- 

 livores suited for leading an aquatic life. The 

 ibre and hind feet are short, and fitted for swim- 

 ming, being spread out into fin-like paddles ; 

 and the hind-feet are placed far back, nearly in a 

 ine with the body, and attached by the integu- 

 ments to the tail Their bodies are elongated and 

 fish-like in form, and covered with a close-set fur, 

 sitting flat upon the skin. They pass the greater 

 aart of their time in the water, which they only 

 quit to bask in the sunshine and to suckle their 



The Phocida, or Seals, have incisor teeth in 

 30th jaws, and in them the canine teeth are not 

 excessively developed. The head of the seal 

 resembles that of a dog, presenting the same 



