VERTEBRATA: MAMMALIA. 



The curious Water-deer (Hydropotes) of China is related to Moschus, 

 and also has no horns. Another curious Chinese form is the Elaphurtts, 

 in which there is a long tufted tail, and the antlers, in place of an anterior 

 basal branch, possess a long posterior branch, the end of which is dilated 

 and prolonged into several short points. 



d. Camelopardalida. This family includes only a single 

 living animal the Camelopardalis Giraffa, or Giraffe some- 

 times called the Camelopard, from the fact that the skin is 

 spotted like that of the Leopard, whilst the neck is long, and 

 gives it some distant resemblance to a Camel. There are no 

 upper canines in the Giraffe, and both sexes possess two small 

 frontal horns, which, However, are persistent, and remain per- 

 manently covered by a hairy skin, terminated by a tuft of long 

 stiff bristles. These are not mere out-growths of the frontals, 

 but are independent ossifications placed on the sutures between 

 the frontal and parietal bones. There is also a central horn, 

 if it may be so called, which is of the nature of an epiphysis, 

 and is placed upon the sagittal suture. It becomes early an- 

 chylosed with the skull, as do ultimately the other two horns. 

 The neck is of extraordinary length, but, nevertheless, consists 

 of no more than the normal seven cervical vertebrae. The fore- 

 legs appear to be much longer than the hind-legs, and all are 

 terminated by two toes each, the supplementary toes being 

 altogether wanting. The tongue is very long and movable, 

 and is employed in stripping leaves off the trees. The Giraffe 

 is the largest of all the Ruminants, measuring as much as from 

 fifteen to eighteen feet in height. It is a harmless and inoffen- 

 sive animal, but defends itself very effectually, if attacked, by 

 kicking. It is found in Nubia, Abyssinia, and the Cape of 

 Good Hope. 



Remains of gigantic Ruminants allied to the Giraffe have 

 been found in France and Greece (Helladotheriuni) ; but the 

 Sivatherium, sometimes referred to this family, appears to have 

 been more nearly allied to the true Antelopes. 



e. Cavicornia. The last family of the Ruminants is that of 

 the Cavicornia, comprising the Oxen, Sheep, Goats, and An- 

 telopes. This family includes the most typical Ruminants, 

 and those of most importance to man. The upper jaw in all 

 the Cavicornia is wholly destitute of incisors and canines, the 

 place of which is taken by the hardened gum, against which 

 the lower incisors bite. There are six incisors and two canines 

 in the lower jaw, placed in a continuous series, and the molars 

 are separated by a wide gap from the canines. There are six 

 grinders on each side of each jaw. Both sexes have horns, or 

 the males only may be horned, but in either case these append- 



