RUMINANT1A. 



531 



nump, and in the cushion-like sole-pad of the 

 Dromedary. 



The hump consists essentially of adipose 

 matter, developed in the subcutaneous areolar 

 substance, its secreting cells having undergone 

 an extraordinary local increase. To support 

 such a mass, the connecting tissue exhibits a 

 corresponding augmentation, the fibres assum- 

 ing the character of ligamentous bands, which 

 are firmly united below to the capitals of the 

 bony columns of the dorsal vertebrae. In 

 reference to the function of this growth tra- 

 vellers have ascertained beyond all contro- 

 versy that it serves as a store-house of 

 nourishment, affording to the animal, in con- 

 junction with the stomachal water-cells, a pro- 

 vision against the inanition which long jour- 

 neys would otherwise entail. In accord with 

 this statement, it has been observed that the 

 hump of the Dromedary becomes attenuated 

 and reduced under circumstances of impover- 

 ishment, while, on the contrary, it is marked 

 by rapid increase and ultimate plumpness 

 when the supply of food is abundant. 



The general character of the dermal en- 

 velope in Camelidae deserves little comment ; 

 the hair is coarse and shaggy in the typical 

 species, and of a soft woolly texture in the 

 Auchenias, where it is also very long. At 

 certain points it acquires in the Camel a rigid 

 bristle-like character, this being especially 

 manifest at the under part of the feet, near 

 the margin. In this spot, however, the hairs 

 are scanty, and they are entirely absent for a 

 small space, over the so-called knees, and at 

 the under and fore-part of the chest, where 

 from constant pressure during the recumbent 

 posture of the body, the cuticle acquires a 

 horny consistency. These callosities are not 

 present in the Llama. 



One of the most interesting anatomical 

 features, forming a distinction between the 

 two cameline genera, consists in the degree of 

 organisation of the foot-pad and corneous in- 

 vestment of the toes. In the Camels, properly 

 so called, the digits are more or less com- 

 pletely imbedded in the broad elastic cushion 

 which extends for a considerable distance 

 laterally on either side of the foot, binding 

 and fixing the phalanges immoveably together ; 

 while at the same time it is particularly worthy 

 of remark, that the hoofs are merely repre- 

 sented by two rudimentary nails situated on 

 the dorsal surface of the tip of each toe. In 

 the Llamas the sole-pad is double and narrow, 

 each division being limited to one side of the 

 cloven foot, while the nails, instead of being 

 weak, are very powerfully developed, and 

 strongly curved. In consequence, therefore, 

 of the easy separation of the toes, combined 

 with the modifications of the pad and hoof 

 here referred to, it is at once evident that 

 such a condition of the foot is peculiarly 

 adapted to an animal whose life is destined 

 to be spent, unlike that of his more highly 

 valued congener, on the rugged slopes and 

 precipices of a mountainous district. 



In the solid-horned Ruminantia very im- 

 portant changes coexist with the shedding of 



the antlers. These organs occupied our at- 

 tention when describing the anatomical rela- 

 tions and development of the horns ; but, as 

 some physiologists are disposed to regard 

 them as part of the dermo-skeleton, we take 

 this opportunity of reverting to the subject. 

 If such a view as the one here mentioned be 

 not supported by the mode of growth, it ac- 

 quires nevertheless an appearance of consist- 

 ency when we bear in mind that the annual 

 shedding of the horns takes place contem- 

 poraneously with that of the hair. By others, 

 this simultaneous loss of structure is regarded 

 as a mere coincidence, affording no proof, they 

 say, of the integumentary character of the 

 cranial outgrowths, but rather indicating a 

 special provision, for the explanation of which 

 we are to look to another source. This ar- 

 gument is followed up by assuming that, were 

 it not for the change alluded to, the young 

 Deer would sustain injury from the bucks, 

 which, at the period of the full evolution of 

 the antlers, exhibit a destructive and relentless 

 ferocity. After the loss of the offensive wea- 

 pons, it is well known that their disposition 

 acquires a milder habit. In furtherance of 

 this view of the question we are likewise re- 

 minded that it is necessary to associate the 

 persistency of the horns of the Giraffe with 

 the equally well ascertained fact, that in this 

 aberrant cervine genus, there is, as in Cervidas 

 proper, a periodical desquammation of the 

 cuticle not affecting the hairy covering of the 

 cranial epiphyses, and involving no subsequent 

 alteration in the animal's psychical character, 

 which, under ordinary influences, is proverbially 

 gentle, and always the same. 



In a former part of this article, reference 

 has been made to the epidermic nature of the 

 corneous investment of the bony cores in 

 cavicornua, and the extension of it found pro- 

 longed over the frontal region in the Buffaloes, 

 a tribe exhibiting an approach to the Pachy- 

 dermata in many respects, and more especially 

 in the organisation of the hide, which has a 

 leathery consistence, and is scantily provided 

 with stiff bristly hair. 



In conclusion we may remark that the 

 cloven condition of the hoof in the typical 

 ruminant is evidently designed to impart light- 

 ness and elasticity to the spring ; and, in order 



Fig. 354. 



Foot of the Sheep. 

 MM 2 



