ORDERS OF MAMMALIA. 303 



other respects, the Cavicornia are to be regarded as being 

 the most typical examples of the Ruminantia^ and they in- 

 clude a number of animals which are of the highest utility to 

 man. The Antelopes form a very extensive group, closely re- 

 sembling the true Deer, but distinguished by the possession 

 of hollow horns, in place of solid antlers. Most of the Ante- 

 lopes are African, and there are only two European forms (the 

 Chamois being one), while America possesses only the Prong- 

 buck (Antilope furcifer). Among the more familiar African 

 species may be mentioned the Gazelle, the Koodoo (Fig. 151), 



FIG. 151. Antelopidae. Head of the Koodoo (Strepsiceros Koodoo}. 



the Gnu, the Gemsbok, and the Springbok. The Sheep and 

 the Goats (Ovidce) are closely allied to one another, and are 

 well known by their domestic varieties. All the Sheep appear 

 to be natives of the Old World, with the exception of the 

 " Bighorn " ( Ovis montana) of the Rocky Mountains. Among 

 the true Oxen (jBovidce) the most important species is the 

 domestic Ox (JBos taunts) with its innumerable varieties. The 

 true Buffalos (Bubalus) are natives of Asia and Africa, and 

 are characterized by their wide horns united at the base. The 

 American Buffalo, or Bison, as it is properly called (JBison 

 Americanus}, is distinguished by its enormous head, shaggy 

 mane, and conical hump between the shoulders. America also 

 possesses another singular Ox in the person of the Musk Ox 

 ( Ovibos moschatus\ which is found north of the 60th parallel, 

 and is remarkable for its small size and long, woolly coat. 



ORDER VII. HYRACOIDEA (Gr. hurax, a shrew; eictos, 

 form). This order includes only a single small genus (Hyrar), 



