234 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



sometimes the only ones remaining) are larger than the second 

 and fifth, and are symmetrical to a vertical line drawn between 

 them, thus forming the so-called "cloven hoof." Consequently 

 the forms included in this group are spoken of as the Even- 

 toed, or Artiodactyle, Ungulates. The more specialised repre- 

 sentatives of this section are very generally characterised by 

 the presence of a pair of transversely placed bony appendages 

 on the skull of the male sex at least, which may take the form 

 of horns, properly so called, or of antlers. 



THE OXEN, GOATS, ANTELOPES, &c. 

 FAMILY BOVID.E. 



The members of this Family may be briefly characterised as 

 being even-toed ruminating Ungulates, without incisor or canine 

 teeth in the upper jaw, in which the appendages of the head, 

 when present, take the form of a pair of hollow horny sheaths 

 investing conical bony projections from the skull, such sheaths 

 being never shed. 



The function of rumination, which forms such an important 

 portion of the foregoing definition, and is popularly termed 

 "cud-chewing," is too well known to need much more than pass- 

 ing reference. It may be mentioned, however, that it consists' 

 of a regurgitation from the stomach of the hastily-swallowed 

 grass or other vegetable food into the mouth, where it is sub- 

 jected to a complete process of remastication, after which it 

 is transferred into the true digestive portion of the stomach, it 

 having been at first temporarily deposited in the paunch, or 

 anterior chamber of the stomach. It will hence be evident 

 that rumination is correlated with a complex form of stomach ; 

 while it may be added that it is likewise always associated with 

 cheek-teeth of which the crowns have the complicated crescent- 

 like pattern already alluded to. Moreover, there is always a 

 long toothless gap between the cheek-teeth of the lower jaw 



