1870.) DR. J. MURIE ON SAIGA TARTARICA. 497 
excess of this number has occurred as a malformation. The fossil 
forms, Sivatherium giganteum and others, it is true, may be cited 
as an exception, as it unquestionably bore two postfrontal pal- 
mated antlers, likewise two infrafrontal or supraorbital horns with 
cores. 
Again, among the Antelopes the genus Tetracerus is the only 
living representative normally carrying four well-pronounced and 
separate hollow horns. But neither in Tetracerus nor Sivatherium 
do the two supernumerary horns occupy the position assigned by 
Pallas to the extra ones of Saiga. With the limitation above men- 
tioned the Antilopine, like the Cervine, group present no examples 
deviating from the common rule of two horns. 
It is, I believe, alone the Ovine family of the Bovide which are 
subject to great variation as respects the number of horns; and 
hence among sheep one, two, or as many as six postfrontal horns are 
not unfrequently met with. Nay, more, there are well-defined breeds 
of four-horned Sheep wherein two horns are erect and not unlike 
those of Saiga, mayhap less annulated ; whilst the second pair are 
broader, flat, and down and inwardly curved. In this respect, 
therefore, and in the semitransparency of the corneous texture, Saiga 
tartarica gives indications of family relationship rather with Sheep 
than with Deer, Antelopes, Goats, or Oxen, 
Concerning the structure of the core supporting the horns, this, 
on being cut into sections, longitudinal, transverse, and tangential, 
was found to consist of osseous substance neither very cellular nor 
very solid*. Interiorly throughout almost the entire length of the 
core were minute parallel and partially interweaving tubuli or pores. 
These were of greatest diameter towards the base; but it was not 
ascertained whether they communicated with the frontal sinuses, 
though from appearances I presume they did so. The external and 
more solid part of the core is finely grooved. 
Between the bony horn-core of Antelopes, Sheep, and Goats, 
that of Saiga may be placed as intermediate, though as regards 
textural fineness it agrees most with the first mentioned. Colonel 
Smith’s opinion, endorsed by Dr. Gray and opposed to that of 
M. Geoffroy St.-Hilaire, Cuvier, Latreille, and others, is that And?- 
lope, Capra, and Ovis assimilate as regards core horn-structure, but 
differ from the Bovide in the cancellated tissue being of a closer 
consistence. 
The nature of the hairy coat and the manner in which it is annually 
shed are pertinent as regards affinities. 
First, it is well known the animal assumes a summer and a winter 
fleece ; that is to say, a periodical shedding takes place. Now this 
changing of the Saiga’s coat occurs differently from what is wit- 
nessed in Deer and Antelopes, where replacement proceeds hair by 
hair, so that no sudden alteration is observed. In Sheep, as is notori- 
* The animals examined by me haying been disposed of for skeletons, I had 
no permission to cut into their horns or skull; but through the kindness of Mr. 
Bartlett an odd horn in his possession was put at my eileen and sliced as 
above stated. 
