410 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



The same fact is seen in the Canidae, or dogs. They came from a common 

 stock also. The wolf, jackal, dog and fox are of the same species, and have the 

 same structure. 



In the Graminivorous Ruminants, the origin from a common stock is appar- 

 ent. The sheep, with its woolly coat and curved horn, undergoes a slight 

 modification, and we have the goat, also with a curved horn and woolly hair. 

 A further development gives us the deer, and further still the ox. Then comes 

 the camel, and lastly the camelopard, or giraffe. 



As an interesting instance of the structure of animals conforming to their 

 modes of Ufe, the giraffe may be mentioned. This animal feeds upon the foliage 

 of trees. Upon his head he has tufted sensitive horns that he may feel his food 

 as he passes along. His elongated neck enables him to reach it easily, and in 

 order that he may be on the lookout for his enemies, the crouching lion being 

 his most dreaded enemy, while his head is so high above the ground his eyes are 

 set so that he can see above, below, forwards or behind without moving his head. 



The comphcated digestive apparatus of ruminants has some relation to their 

 methods of escape from danger. As their food consists principally of vegetable 

 substances, little nutritious and demanded in large quantities, and as they are in 

 turn food for the ferocious carnivorous animals, their only means of safety is in 

 flight, while mastication is a work of time. 



They are therefore, obliged to graze rapidly, fill their large stomach reservoir 

 with unchewed food, and then retire to place of safety, where they can remasti- 

 cate it at leisure. 



The horse, ass, zebra and other animals of this order sprang also from a 

 common stock. 



We have now seen that by comparing animals with each other we are able to 

 classify them into order and species, each order and species having some distinc- 

 tive character entitling them to a fixed and permanent place in zoological classes. 



If now we examine all the forms of animal life on the earth, the fauna, or 

 the animal kingdom, we shall find that they can be comprised under four great 

 heads — namely, Vertebrates, Articulates, Mollusks, Radiates. 



It is with the first of these only that this paper will deal. 



As we saw that animals were classified under several heads by examining 

 them externally and internally to a limited extent, and this classification gave us 

 Carnivorge, Herbivorse, etc., so now if we examine this immense order of Verte- 

 brates by the study of their bony frame-work, or osteology, we shall find that all, 

 from an eel up to man, are constructed upon one single plan. 



Beginning with man and descending in the scale, we will briefly examine 

 this bony frame- work, or skeleton, and see what this plan is upon which such a 

 vast part of the animal world has been constructed. 



First we find a skull, rounded in shape, hollow, having apertures for the 

 eyes, mouth, etc. , jaws set with teeth, and artidulated upon the first of a series of 

 bones, or vertebrse. These vertebrae joined together by ligaments so as to form 



