ON THE ANATOMY OF THE RUMINANTS. 405 
- We form estimates as to the mutual affinities of genera which can 
bear the test of criticism as well as any rational chemical formula; is 
it not just as possible to express them in our nomenclature as do the 
chemists in theirs? It is quite conceivable that it should be done; 
and I have the boldness, on the present occasion, to endeavour to 
make a step in the direction indicated, taking the Cervide to illustrate 
my method. I should not desire any one to think that the method I 
am about to suggest is at all a final one; for it only comprehends a 
single small group of Mammalian animals. Nevertheless, if by it I 
am able to demonstrate its practical utility, and to develop in others a 
desire that it should be extended in its scope, there is nothing easier 
than to expand it. 
From what has been remarked earlier in this paper, it -is evident 
that there are osteological reasons for separating off the Old-World 
from the New-World Cervide. Representing degrees of slightly 
more than generic importance by Roman capitals, this difference 
between the two groups may be indicated by the employment of letters 
separated by some distance in the alphabet. I therefore commence 
with A in formulating the Old-World species, and with P in those of 
America. Following the initial capital I place a small letter, which 
represents the genus ; and the species of each of the latter are indi- 
cated by numbers following, raised above the line, as in mathematics 
_ when the square, cube, &c. are expressed. When a species, like the 
__ Ek, stands by itself, it is not necessary to append the smaller signs. 
With this amount of explanation, the following Table (1II) will need 
no further description :— 
Taste III. 
eo CERVID2. 
A. Alces machlis. Ca*. R. moluccensis. 
Ba’. C. elaphus. Ca*. BR. equina. 
Ba’. C. canadensis. Ca®. R. swinhott. 
Ba’. C. cashmeerianus Ca®. R. marianna. 
Ba‘. C. barbarus. Ca’. R. peronii. 
Ba’®. C. maral. Ca®. R. kuhlit. 
Ba’. C. affinis. Ca’. R. alfredi. 
Bb’. Dama vulgaris Cb. C. axis. 
Bb’. D. mesopotamica. Ce. OC. porcinus. 
Be’. Pseudazis sika. Cd'. Rucervus schomburgki. 
Be*. P. mantchuricus. Cd*. R. duvaucelli. 
Be*. P. taévanus. Cd*. R. eldi. 
Ca’. Rusa aristotelis. D. Elaphurus davidianus, 
Ca*. R. hippelaphus. Ea’. Cervulus muntjac. 
