MAMMALIA. 415 



primary groups into which the mammalia have been divided, 

 is principally represented by the Ox, the Sheep, the Goat, and 

 the Deer; but it is usual also to classify with them the Giraffe, 

 Camels, Antelopes, Llamas, &c. They are subdivided into nine 

 genera, comprising in all one hundred and forty-eight species, 

 forming about one-tenth of all the mammalia.* Following 

 the general law of distribution, the Ruminantia are most 

 numerous in equatorial regions; but, as if created expressly 

 for the use of the human family, they are distributed over all 

 latitudes in the northern hemisphere, at least from the equator 

 to the regions within the arctic circle; so that, wherever 

 man is found, he is accompanied by those animals most 

 necessary for the supply of his wants and comforts, and most 

 conducive to his progress in arts and civilization. From them 

 he derives a considerable portion of his food and clothing, 

 whether in a savage or a civilized state of society. Their milk, 

 their flesh, their wool, hides, horns, and hoofs, are all con- 

 verted to his uses; whilst from many of them he derives the 

 most valuable assistance in the labours of the field, and in the 

 transport of commodities. Thus the Rein-deer (Fig. 314), 

 as is well known, forms the chief comfort and the principal 

 means of subsistence to the Laplander; and the Yak or Kash- 

 gow, confers similar benefits on the inhabitants of Tibet and 

 Pamir." 



From this general distribution of the Ruminating animals, 



* The following table is extracted from that given by Mr. Waterhouse 

 in Berghalis and Johnston's Physical Atlas : 



1. (Camelus) Camels 2 



2. (AucJienia) Llamas 3 



3. (Moschus*) Musk Deers 7 



4. (Cervus) Deers 38 



5. (Camdopardalis} Giraffes 2 



6. (Antilope) Antelopes 48 



7. (Capra) Goats 14 



8. (Ovis) Sheep 21 



9. (jBos) Oxen 13 



Total number of species 148 

 128 species belong to the Old World; 23 only to the New. 



