CHAPTER XXVII fo-'& 



THE EVEN-TOED UNGULATES 



BESIDES the Odd-toed Ungulates, or Perrisodactyla, there is 

 another large group in which the extremities of the fore- and hind- 

 toes are entirely surrounded by horny tissue in the shape of hoofs. 

 These are the Cloven-hoofed or Even-toed Ungulates, forming 

 the Artiodactyla, in which the toes are even in number, being 

 four in all the feet, except in the camel tribe, the giraffe, and 

 a very few antelopes, in which only two are present. It is the 

 digit which corresponds to the human thumb In the forefoot, 

 and to the great toe in the hind, which is always deficient, the 

 inner and the outer digits being frequently reduced to minute 

 rudiments, as seen in the ox and the sheep. All are strictly 

 terrestrial animals, none being arboreal in their habits ; the 

 hippopotamus is the only member of the group which is aquatic 

 in its habits. 



In all the Even-toed Ungulates which carry horns or antlers 

 these are appendages paired and lateral in position, at the same 

 time that they are either supported upon bony cores, or are formed 

 of bone itself, and are situated upon the forehead. These Even- 

 toed Ungulates may be conveniently subdivided under two 

 headings, namely : (i) the Non-Ruminants, including the pigs of 

 the Old World, the peccaries, and hippopotami ; and (2) the 

 Ruminants, comprising the camels, llamas, deerlets, oxen, and 

 deer. 



The Wild Boar has a wide distribution, being found in Europe, 

 North Africa, and Hindostan. Its body is of a dusky-brown or 

 greyish colour, and the tusks of the male are long and powerful, 

 and project beyond the upper lip. The long head, with its some- 

 what tapering snout, is set upon a short, thick neck, rising out 

 of a stout, muscular body, which is covered with coarse hairs 

 intermixed with wool. On the neck and shoulders the hairs take 



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