RUMINATING ANIMALS. 87 



cealed by their thick and useful covering, which ren- 

 ders their apparent shape unattractive. In nearly 

 the whole, a most striking feature will appear to every 

 observer, that of horns implanted in the head, and 

 sometimes of a very large and unwieldy appearance ; 

 and it is remarkable, that the few species which want 

 these organs of defence or adornment, possess the 

 tusks or cutting teeth which are deficient in the 

 others. 



The skeleton of the Ruminantia bears a lower 

 grade of strength and firmness than in the more per- 

 fect Mammalia. The form of it is in general con- 

 structed for a power of walking or running with 

 great swiftness ; and the consolidation of the bones 

 of the extremities, while it detracts from actual 

 strength, materially assists the locomotive action. 

 Like the horse, and the animals belonging to the same 

 division of Mammalia, they have cannon bones; 

 but the hoof is divided, which adds to the elasticity 

 or spring of the motions, while the splitting may as- 

 sist in the more easily withdrawal from soft or miry 

 ground ; but in the camel, where there is the exception 

 of its being united on its under surface, the use is to 

 prevent sinking in the soft and running sand. The 

 neck is lengthened sufficiently to enable the animals 

 to reach the ground with the mouth, and to pluck 

 with ease, or gather in with the tongue, the herbage 

 which compose their food. At the same time, it is 

 furnished with a ligament of great strength, to wield 

 the neck, and support the head, generally heavy, and 



