1870.] DR. J. MURIE ON SAIGA TARTARICA. 499 
appertain to the external characters of the animal, are its modes of 
progression, defence, and attack. As Mr. A. D. Bartlett and myself 
have noted, its walk is sedate and steady; but when frightened or 
pursued, it alters its step and springs with a series of bounds in a 
vaulting manner. This movement is very different from that of 
Deer or Antelopes (except in few instances), which trot or canter, 
two feet touching the ground at the same time, according to the pace 
adopted ; whereas, like mountain-Sheep or Goats, the Saiga jumps 
elastically, all fours leaving the ground at once. The ischiatic 
nerves of the last are of immense calibre; but whether this might 
be adduced as a physiological evidence of the above habit I will not 
pretend to say. 
Pallas appears to think that the ample larynx and respiratory 
organs sufficiently account for their great swiftness, and quotes 
Cook * in proof of their speed. he latter says they are the finest 
runners he ever beheld, at first outstripping a greyhound, though 
not holding out so long: their feet seem scarcely to touch the 
ground, 
When Deer fight they run against each other forcibly or tilt their 
horns in a scooping manner. Antelopes use their horns, or charge 
with a jerking movement of the head. Goats rear and strike down- 
wards. Cattle toss, gore, or bruise with their head. The clashing 
butt of Sheep is notorious, as any one is cognizant of when two rams 
fight. They rush backwards, and by a run gain impetus, and smash 
head onwards with fearful violence. Ihave myself witnessed more 
than once an animal killed outright by the shock. The Saiga, as 
far as the above habits are concerned, is a true Sheep, and not at 
all an Antelope. 
2. Cutaneous Glands. 
It is well known that the Ruminantia possess cutaneous secretory 
structures in various parts of their body. The most obvious of 
these are the suborbital glands. Another series, either found on two 
or on all four feet, are the interdigital sacs; whilst yet others, of 
more inconstant presence and significance, are found in the dermal 
substance of the groin, on the tarsal segment of the limbs, or on 
the back of the head andrump. This subject has received attention 
from Jacob +, Owen ¢, Colonel Hamilton Smith §, Hodgson ||, and 
others; but the most critical digest is to be found in the masterly 
Essay of the Society’s late and learned Secretary Mr. William 
Ogilby q. 
In both the male and female specimens of Satya tartarica ex- 
amined by me I have found, with a partial variation of the con- 
* Voyages and Travels through the Russian Empire (Edinb. 1770), p. 317. 
+ Rep. Brit. Assoc. 1834. 
¢ P.Z.S. 1836, p. 37. 
§ Griffiths'’s Transl. ‘ Régne Animal.’ 
| Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, 1832, and P. Z. S. 1834, p. 80. 
€; “Monograph of the hollow-horned Ruminants,” Trans. Zool. Soe. vol. iii. 
p. 33 
