UNGULATA. 591 



and stand more erect than the lower incisors, so that they 

 are easily recognisable. The group of the Ruminantia in- 

 cludes the families of the Camelida (Camels and Llamas), the 

 Moschidce. (Musk-deer), the Cei~vidcz (Deer), the Camelopard- 

 alidce (Giraffe), and the Cavicornia (Oxen, Sheep, Goats, 

 Antelopes). 



a. Camelida. The Camels and Llamas constitute in many 

 respects an aberrant group of the Ruminantia, especially in 

 their dentition, the peculiarities of which have been spoken of 

 above, and need not be repeated here. In their feet, too, the 

 Camdida are peculiar. The feet are long, and terminate in 

 only two toes, which are covered by imperfect nail-like hoofs, 

 covering no more than the upper surface of each toe. The 

 two hinder supplementary toes, which are mostly present in 

 the Ruminants, are here altogether wanting and the soles of 

 the feet are covered by a callous horny integument, by which 

 the two toes of each foot are conjoined, and upon which the 

 animal walks. The head in all the Camelidcz is destitute of 

 horns, and the nostrils can be closed at the will of the animal. 



The true Camels are peculiar to Asia and Africa, and two 

 species are known, distinguished from one another by the 

 possession of a double or single adipose hump on the back. 

 The African or Arabian Camel ( Camelus Dromedarius) is often 

 called the Dromedary, and has only one hump on its back. 

 The two toes are united together by the callous sole ; and the 

 chest, shoulders, and knees are furnished with callous pads, 

 upon which they rest when they lie down. The hump is 

 almost entirely composed of fat, and appears to act as a kind 

 of reserve supply of food, as it is noticed to diminish much in 

 size upon long journeys. The Camel can likewise support a 

 very prolonged privation of water, as the paunch is furnished 

 with large cells, which the animal fills when it has access to 

 water, and then makes use of subsequently as occasion may 

 require. The structure of the Camel adapts it admirably for 

 locomotion in the sandy deserts of Arabia and Africa ; and as 

 it is very docile and good-tempered, it is almost exclusively 

 employed as a beast of burden in the countries in which it 

 occurs. 



The Bactrian Camel (C. Bactrianus} is distinguished by the 

 possession of two humps ; but in other respects it does not 

 differ from the Dromedary. The two species are said to 

 breed together, and the hybrid offspring is stated to be occa- 

 sionally fertile. The place of the Camels is taken in the New 

 World by the Llama and Alpaca, with two other nearly-allied 

 forms. These animals form the genus Auchenia, and are in 



