RUMINANT QUADRUPEDS. 34/5 



§ 5. Buminantia. 



In following the series of Mammalia in the order which 

 best exhibits their successive stages of development, I shall 

 commence with those whose digestive apparatus is formed 

 to extract nourishment exclusively from the vegetable kino-, 

 dom. The first assemblage that presents itself to our notic'^e 

 is the remarkable hmWy oi Ru77iinants, which feed princi- 

 pally on herbage. Wherever the earth is clothed with ve- 

 getation, it requires neither skill nor exertion on their part 

 to seek and to devour the rich repast which is profusely 

 spread under their feet. To remove from one pasture to 

 another, to browse, and to repose, constitute the peaceful 

 employments of their lives, and satisfy the chief conditions 

 of their existence. To these purposes the whole conforma- 

 tion of their skeleton, and especially of those parts which 

 constitute the limbs, is adapted. The anterior extremities 

 having only to support the weight of the fore part of the 

 trunk, and to assist in progressive motion, have a less com- 

 plicated arrangement of joints, and exhibit many of those 

 consolidations of the bones, which tend to simplify the 

 structure, and to contribute to its strength. 



But though never incited by the calls of appetite to en- 

 gage in sanguinary warfare, they are yet liable to the as- 

 saults of many ferocious and well armed adversaries, and 

 often unprovided with any adequate means of defence; their 

 only resource, therefore, is to avoid the dangers of the en- 

 counter by a rapid and precipitate flight. To confer this 

 power appears to have been the object aimed at by nature 

 in every part of the conformation of these animals. It is 

 among the ruminant tribes that the fleetest of quadrupeds 

 are to be found, such as the gazelle, the antelope, and the 

 deer, animals which exhibit the highest perfection of struc- 

 ture belonging to this type. We may observe that the 

 parts composing the hind legs are longer, and inclined to 

 Vol. I. 44 



