386 



UNGULATES. 



Cervus have originated in Europe from an early antlerless deer-like creature 

 (Palceomeryx), the representatives of Cariacus have been independently derived in 

 North America from a totally distinct ancestral deer (Blast omeryx), which was 

 likewise unprovided with antlers. And it will accordingly be self -apparent that 

 the antlers of the Old and New World deer are not mutually comparable. Start- 

 ing from the simple spike-like antlers of the brockets of South America, we shall 

 find that there is a transition through a simply-forked antler to the complex type 

 exhibited by the mule-deer ; and it will accordingly be most convenient to commence 

 our notice of these deer with those in which the antlers are simple, and finish with 

 those in which they are most complex. 



Before proceeding to the various species, it may, however, be added that all 



THE RED BROCKET (^ nat. size). 



the American deer are uniformly coloured above in the adult condition, and that 

 they all have narrow and naked muzzles. The length of the tail is subject to a 

 great amount of specific variation. In addition to the peculiar feature already 

 noticed as distinguishing the hinder aperture of the nasal passage, the skulls of the 

 American deer are characterised by the large dimensions of the unossified space in 

 front of the eye, and the small size of the pit for the reception of the gland. 



The first group of the American deer is represented by several 

 small species known as brockets, which are confined to the southern 

 half of the continent, and are distinguished by their unbranched spike-like antlers, 

 and by the hair on the middle line of the face radiating in all directions from two 

 points, one of which is situated on the crown of the head, and the other just below 

 the eyes. They are further characterised by the large extent of the naked portion 

 of the muzzle, which completely surrounds the nostrils ; and likewise by the spotted 

 coat of the fawns. The tail is of medium length ; and the upper jaw may or may 



Brockets. 



