336 DR. J. MURIE ON THE [May 26, 
ters by Turner*, nothing heretofore has been published regarding 
its osteology and viscera. 
With these preliminary remarks I proceed to sum up the general 
conclusions arrived at by me, leaving the technical description of 
structures for after consideration. This method of arrangement, 
though contrary to the general custom, I have deemed preferable 
in the present instance. 
2. DEDUCTIONS. 
The examination of the internal anatomy and osteology of the 
Prongbuck, although not revealing any passingly strange difference 
of structural organization from other Ruminantia, yet affords addi- 
tional evidence to that already known of its exterior—namely, that 
it does not comport with all those characters considered specially 
to belong to the family of Antelopes. 
The distinctive attribute of Deer undoubtedly is the deciduous 
nature of their horns; but in the hornless females this diagnostic 
is oftentimes absent, so that other parts of the organization must be 
brought to bear in forming a judgment of the creature’s relations. 
The male and female Prongbuck both possess horns; and, as 
Bartlett and Canfield have proved, they are annually deciduous. 
Does this not collate it to the Deer according to the ordinary accep- 
tation, and segregate it from the Antelopes, or, more widely speak- 
ing, from the Bovidze, Ruminants with persistent horns ? 
Were the systematic place and family relationship of the Prongbuck 
alone to be decided by the single feature of its horns being shed and 
renewed periodically, that it is a Deer would be unquestionable, 
Considered in a broader phase, by reference to the totality of its 
structures, the question, Is it a Deer? can best be answered by the 
verdict, Not proven. 
If neither a strict bovine nor cervine form, it is needless to search 
for nearer affinities; for no other group singly possesses conforma- 
tion nigher than the said families. 
The numerous modifications linking or interblending Anéilocapra 
between the hollow- and solid-horned Ruminants, including the 
Giraffe, certainly stamp it with singularity. Few of the existing 
mammalian fauna more beautifully show and exemplify by a com- 
bination of characters how insensibly gradated are the groups which 
zoologists so strenuously separate, divide, and subdivide, as if a 
trifling cordon imposed a sufficient barrier of distinction on what 
doubtless is a natural series. 
My estimable friend Mr. Bartlett judiciously recognized in the 
Prongbuck affiliation towards the Deer tribe in gait and exterior 
generally, besides noting that the coat equally pertained to that 
group as well as to sheep. The soundness of his judgment I have 
tested in the minute structure of the hair. Weighed in this scale, 
the balance preponderates in favour of the genus Ovis. 
In the disposition and possession or in the want of certain cuta- 
neous gland-patches in the Prongbuck, a side light is shed on the 
* P. Z. S. 1850, p. 174, Dicranocerus. 
