274 



ZOOLOGY. 



Deer are ruminants, characterized distinctly by the shed- 

 ding of their antlers. The species abound, such as the 

 common or fallow-deer, the red-deer, the roebuck, the chev- 

 reuil, the rein-deer, &c. They all inhabit the forests, and 

 are remarkable for their speed and for the elegance of their 

 forms. The antlers, generally peculiar to the male, are cast 

 in spring. 



The antelopes resemble deer in many respects, but are 

 readily distinguished from them by having persistent horns, 

 like goats and sheep. The chamois belongs to this group. 



The giraffe is distinguished from all other ruminants by 

 the form of the body and the nature of its horns, which are 



Fig. 216. The Rein-Deer. 



conical, osseous, and always covered with the integuments. 

 It measures from fifteen to seventeen feet in height, and the 

 single species as yet known is peculiar to Africa.* 



The camel is remarkable for the enormous mass of fat 

 found on the shoulders and buck, single or double. Of the 

 camel there are two species the Bactrian with two humps, 

 and the Arabian or dromedary with one. Their feet are 

 peculiar, the two toes being reunited nearly to the points by 



* In Southern Africa it ia never seen to the south of the Great Orange 

 RiTer. R. K. 



