TAGASSU. ODONTOCCELUS. 67 
Genl. Char. Size large, ears small; similar to T. pecart, but white 
face markings more extensive. Cranial characters distinctive. As 
compared with T. pecari the “‘parietal shield is narrower, elevated 
and bulging upward over posterior part of braincase; nasals more 
acute anteriorly; premaxille slightly longer; zygomata and posterior 
expansion of squamosals decidedly broader; palatal projection behind 
molars abruptly narrowed at post molar notch and continuing back- 
ward, with smooth parallel sides of equal breadth throughout; bulle 
smaller and ending below in an elongated papilla pointing toward 
hamular process; basioccipital narrower between bulle poster- 
iorly.”” (Merr., 1. c.) 
Color. Above black, slightly grizzled with fulvous, most apparent 
on sides of neck and shoulders; muzzle, chin and lips yellowish 
white, extending on under jaw to beneath ears; under parts fulvous 
black; legs and feet blackish mixed with whitish near hoofs. 
Measurements. Total length, 1180 (skin); hind foot, 229 (flesh), 
(Merr.). Skull: basal length, 242; Hensel, 231; occipito-nasal length, 
270; zygomatic breadth, 112; breadth across squamosals posteriorly, 
106; palatal length, 184; breadth of basi-occipital between bulle, 
posteriorly, 20; length of upper molar series, 78. 
The Pecora, or true Ruminants, is one of the best defined groups 
of the Mammalia. Its members are sometimes designated as the 
Solid-horned ruminants, in contradistinction to the Hollow-horned 
species of the Bovine group. The antlers, which are usually seen 
only on the male, are grown in a few months and then dropped, 
generally about the time the young are born. Some of these de- 
fensive structures are of great size, such as those carried by the 
Moose and Wapiti, and it seems almost incredible that their growth 
from a mere knob, that formed the base of the antlers of the previous 
season, to the sometimes immense perfected antlers when the velvet 
disappears, could have been accomplished in so brief a period. Nearly 
all lands of any extent, except Australia, possess representatives of 
this Family, and its members are probably familiar to more of the 
human race than those of most groups of Mammals. All sizes, from 
the lordly Moose to the diminutive Musk Deer, are found among 
them, and the shapes and styles of the horns are many and diverse. 
All climates are encountered by these animals, from the ice and snow- 
covered barrens of the Arctic regions to the sun-baked soil of tropical 
lands, but, wherever found, suitable modifications in structure and 
covering have been produced to fit them to resist and overcome any 
climatic influence hostile to their well being. 
