94 OSTEOLOGICAL GALLERY. 



3. The Giraffidte, like the last family, contains only a single 

 species, the Common Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) , of which a 

 skeleton is placed in the Saloon near the Elephants' skeletons, and 



[Case 20.] three skulls in Case 20, Div. A. The curious bony protuberance, 

 almost forming a third horn, in the middle line of the face, already 

 mentioned p. 47, is very conspicuous on the largest of these. 



4. The Cervidce have branched deciduous antlers entirely com- 

 posed of bone ; their molar teeth are short, with the neck above 

 the bone of the jaw; the majority possess canine teeth, which -in 

 some species are very long. It is interesting to notice that the 

 development of these teeth is in inverse proportion to that of the 

 horns, the large antlered species having minute or deciduous 

 canines, while the few hornless Deer are compensated by most 

 efficient dental weapons. 



g [Cases Skeletons are exhibited in the centre of the Gallery of the Wapiti 

 (Cervus canadensis) and of the Elk (Alces machlis), and, for 

 comparison with these largest of living Deer, there is placed in 

 close proximity the skeleton of a gigantic extinct Deer (Megaceros 

 hibernicus) which once lived in many parts of Europe, and the 

 remains of which are found in the greatest abundance and in the 

 most perfect state of preservation in the peat-bogs of Ireland. 

 In the wall-cases there are skeletons of 

 the Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) . (Case 20, Div. C.) 

 the Fallow Deer (Dama vulyaris). (Case 20, Div. D.) 

 David's Deer (Elaphurus davidianus). 



the Mule and Virginian Deer (Cariacus macrotis and virginia- 

 nus). (Case 22.) 



the Pudu (Pudu humilis) . (Case 23, Div. A.) 

 the Chinese Water-Deer (Hydropotes inermis). 

 the Tufted Deer (Elaphodus michianus) (Case 22, Div. B), the 

 two last being instances of hornless Deer with long upper canines. 

 The antlers of the Cervida are mounted on the tops of the Cases 

 in the Mammalian Gallery. 



Order VIII. SIRENIA, or SEA-Cows. 



This remarkable Order differs strikingly in structure from all 

 the others, although formerly these animals were placed with the 

 Whales, on account of their aquatic habits and want of hind limbs. 

 The Sea-Cows have rounded heads, very small eyes, no ears, a 



