1877.] ANATOMY OF THE RUMINANTS. 15 
the interval between the canine tooth and the first premolar is cut 
away in all the true Ruminantia, and not in the Tragulide, is inter- 
esting as a separating feature. In the Cervide there is a difference 
from the Cavicornia in the arrangement of the region just in front of 
this. In the Sheep and its allies the median palatal process of each 
premaxillary bone extends back in the palatal region between the 
maxillz for some distance behind the most anterior portion of the 
facial surface of the maxillary bone, broadening as they go backwards 
for some distance, and then narrowing to a point somewhat abruptly. 
In no Deer which carries antlers have I found this arrangement, the 
median palatal processes of the preemaxille in them being always 
slender (sometimes only incompletely developed), of uniform breadth, 
and terminating posteriorly at a point scarcely behind the line which 
joins the canine 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 Rumi- 
nantia. In the Cervidee 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 de- 
scription. The squamosal of Moschus is oviform, that of Camelopar- 
dalis intermediate. 
Whilst comparing the skulls of the Cervidee 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 bifurcate 
beam, with a brow-antler springing from the front of its basal por- 
tion. These three parts may be termed A, B, and C, as in the 
accompanying diagram (see p. 16). They occur, uncomplicated, in 
the genus Rusa, in C. porcinus, C. axis, 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 
one 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, remaining of equal size, and we arrive at the condition found in 
Cervus schomburghi (fig. 25. 2). C. duvaucelli differs in that B is 
extra-developed at the expense of C (fig. 25.3), the latter often being 
not bifureate, though sometimes so to asmall 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 C. mexicanus 
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 
1 P. ZS. 1857, p. 835. 
