ON THE ANATOMY OF THE RUMINANTS. 403 
_ teeth. Both Moschus moschiferus and Hydropotes inermis agree with 
Ovis in this respect, as does the Giraffe. 
Again, in the squamosal of the temporal there is a feature of value 
in the separation of the two major divisions of the typical Ruminantia. 
In the Cervide this bone is deeper from above downwards than in 
the Bovide; in other words, the parieto-squamosal suture is situated 
nearer the upper border of the temporal fossa (more than halfway 
up it) in the former group, the general proportions produced by 
which, are more easily recognized by inspection than from descrip- 
‘tion. The squamosal of Moschus is oviform, that of Camelopardalis 
intermediate. 
Whilst comparing the skulls of the Cervide which I have examined, 
the antlers have naturally attracted my attention; and many of their 
peculiarities seem to me to be subject to definite laws. 
What may be called the typical antler is composed of a bifureate 
beam, with a brow antler springing from the front of its basal portion. 
_ These three parts may be termed A, B, and C, as in the accompanying 
diagram (see p. 404). They occur, uncomplicated, in the genus Rusa, 
in C. porcinus, C. awzis, and C. alfredi (fig. 25.1). 
_ On the assumption that most of the complicated many-pointed 
_ antlers that occur are the result of the exaggerated development of 
‘ene or other or both of the extremities B and C, their special features 
may be explained. For instance, imagine that both B and C bifur- 
cate, remaitiing of equal size, and we arrive at the condition found in 
Cervus schomburgki (fig. 25. 2). OC. duvaucelli differs in that B is 
extra-developed at the expense of C (fig. 25. 3), the latter often being 
not bifurcate, though sometimes so to a small extent. Following out 
the ingenious hypothesis of Mr. Blyth*, C. eldi only differs in the 
still greater development of the anterior of the branches of B (fig. 
25. 4). With this last-named form C. virginianus and OC. mezicanus 
agree, as does Rangifer tarandus, as far as its beam-branches are 
concerned. ', 
In Cervus dama, and in the species included in the genus Pseudazis 
by Dr. Gray (C. sika, taévanus, and mantchuricus), a different con- 
dition maintains, B being reduced greatly and C correspondingly 
enlarged (fig. 25.5). In the Elaphine Deer this is carried further, Page 16. 
the continuation of the beam C being divided terminally into many 
points (fig. 25. 6) in C. elaphus, O. canadensis, C. maral, and C. cash- 
meerianus. According to Mr. Blyth, C. sika “belongs strictly to the 
Elaphine, and not to the Azine, group” ¢ of Deer; and the conforma- 
* = Pescsodings oF tho Zoological Society,” 1867, p. 835. 
+ “J. A.S. B.,” xxix. p. 90. 
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