MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 283 



Antilope (Dicranoceros) furcifer SMITH, Griff. Guv. 



WAGNER, Sup. Schreb. Sauget. , iv. 

 Antilocapra furcifer DESMAREST, Mamm. ii, 479. 

 Antilope palmata SMITH, Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. 



SMITH, Griff. Guv., iv. 



WAGNER, Schreb. Sauget., v. 



OGILBY, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1836. 

 Antilope (Dicranoceros) palmata SMITH, Griff. Guv., 1827. 

 Antilope anteflexa GRAY, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 

 Cervus hamatus BLAINVILLE, Bull. Soc. Philomat., 1816. 

 Dicranoceros furcifer SUNDEVALL, Konig. Sv. Vetonsh. Handl., 1844. 

 Dicranoceros americanus TURNER, Proc. Zool Soc., 1850. 

 Cervus bifurcatus RAFINESQUE, (Eichardson.) 



The prong-horn antelope is perhaps the most remarkable 

 ruminant which enters our limits, not only because it is the 

 only antelope of America, but because it possesses several 

 peculiarities which entirely distinguish it from any other rumi- 

 nant whatever. Although known from accounts of western 

 hunters and pioneers for some time previous, the first scientific 

 knowledge of the animals was derived from the specimen 

 brought back by the Lewis and Clark exploring expedition. 

 As we shall see beyond, this antelope forms the connecting 

 link between the deer and the antelopes, and may be taken as 

 a type long isolated and representing a group of animals of 

 an inclusive type. At present this animal does not set foot 

 within our borders, but at no very distant date, frequently 

 entered the southwestern prairie counties. 



In size, the prong-horn is less than the common deer and 

 considerably larger than a sheep. The body is very short and 

 its build may rather be characterized as * * stumpy " than elegant. 

 The legs are long but not graceful, while the feet are peculiar 

 in not having either accessory hoofs or hock glands. The 

 neck is not long for a deer, but is carried in an erect, and what 

 seems a rather constrained attitude. The head is large and is 

 redeemed from ugliness by the extraordinarily large eyes. 

 The eyes are said to be larger than those of an ox, and, there- 

 fore, relatively larger than those of any ruminant. The color 

 is black, but the expression mild and winning. The eye is 

 protected by ample lashes, especially upon the upper lid. 

 Tnere is no larmier without or internally. The ears are pointed 

 and hairy inside and out, being about five inches long and quite 

 narrow. The muzzle is blunt and hairy with only a narrow 

 naked space in the middle about one-quarter of an inch in 

 width and expanding to include the nostrils. The nostrils are 

 large and less oblique than in the deer. The horns are the 



