SUPPLEMENT TO THE ORDER 

 RUMINANTIA. 



By Major CHARLES HAMILTON SMITH, 



Knight of the Military Order of William, 

 F.R.S. and L.S., SfC. %c. 



In reviewing the Ruminantia, it appears necessary to ex- 

 tend the observations on their character and structure, 

 somewhat beyond the strict outline which Baron Cuvier 

 has furnished, in the definitions of this order. For this 

 purpose we shall combine a few extracts from the works of 

 comparative anatomists of this country, on the internal 

 structure of the animals in question, with some remarks 

 taken from our author's able work on fossil bones, so as to 

 supply a more distinct conception of the final causes for 

 which they were created, and by which they exist. 



Ruminating animals, in common with most quadrupeds, 

 have the legs shorter in proportion to the length of the 

 trunk, and their spines more flexible than man ; by means 

 of this formation, their progressive motion is facilitated, 

 and their food attained with ease. In most species the 

 epiglottis covers the rima entirely, having no apparent 

 uvula, but a gland secreting mucus to lubricate the food, 

 and to act at the same time as a valve to prevent the sub- 

 stance swallowed from returning into the mouth, while 

 the animal feeds, which is mostly with the head down- 

 wards : this gland is placed on the upper part of the pha- 

 rynx behind the cricoid cartilage. In the skull the parietal 

 bones form but one, assuming the shape of a belt, behind 

 and above the frontal s; these are very long, and form a 

 powerful arch over the orbits to secure the eyes, and give 

 a firm seat to the roots of the horns. 



Vol. IV. D 



