ORDER RUMINANTIA. 131 



antler, throws obliquely forwards a flat broad branch 

 dividing into two processes, then vertically one with three 

 external processes, and then a third likewise with three 

 external processes, but these three branches flatten also at 

 base into a kind of palm obliquely facing the other*. 



M. F. Cuvier describes the horns as strongly curved 

 forwards, spreading outwards, and converging towards 

 each other at the extremities : an antler at the anterior 

 face of the beam, pointing vertically and furnished with 

 strong denticulations ; a spiller or antler at the posterior 

 part of the beam, divided into several small branches : 

 these horns flatten into a sort of palm from the second 

 antler, and at their base are deeply grooved and strongly 

 tuberculated. The head in the possession of the describer, 

 was very adult, and had a muzzle but no canines, which 

 forms a further indication of affinity with C. Virginianusf, 

 From these descriptions, and the figure in Pennant, and in 

 Oss. Fossiles, vol. iv, pi. v. fig. 23 of Baron Cuvier, it is evi- 

 dent, that if the species be the same, there is a very great 

 difference in the development of the horns, and that the 

 name of Mexican as applicable in particular to the palmated 

 pair, is very problematical. There is, indeed, some suspicion 

 that they belong to a deer of the cold extremity of South 

 America ; for although we still find an indication of affinity 

 with the Virginian Deer, it is through a succession of gra- 

 dations, the extremes of which have no longer the appear- 

 ance of a common original type. 



* I find on my sketch the words Cervus Mexicanus, but doubt 

 whether they were subjoined from any written ticket attached to 

 the horns themselves ; they appear to belong to Cervus Ramosi- 

 cornis of Blainville. 



t On referring to fig. 23, pi. v., vol. iv. Oss. Fossiles, it is plain 

 that these horns are far inferior, and very different from the pair 

 before described, and leave little doubt of their being of different 

 species. 



