168 CLASS MAMMALIA. * 



common with Messrs. Ord, Harlan, and Rafinesque, we 

 consider this species as described long since by Hernandez, 

 under the name of Mazame ; and we presume the dissent 

 of M. Desmarets has arisen from his not having had the 

 same opportunity to compare the specimen of Furcifer 

 with the plate of Hernandes, of the edition which we con- 

 sulted at Philadelphia ; and, perhaps, from his not having 

 a faithful translation of the paper in the Linncean Trans- 

 actions. This opinion is countenanced by his assigning, in 

 the Mammalogie, to A. Palmata, " Pelage d'un fauve 

 clair sur le dos, blanc au ventre et sur les flancs," cha- 

 racters which are not in the description of that animal, but 



Goat, or an idea of that group which will be designated here under 

 the term of Nemorhsedus, whereas the resemblance is between the 

 Antelope and Deer, by the most characteristic indication in the 

 creation, namely, the branched horns. As for the trivial or spe- 

 cific name Americana, no doubt names of geographical designation 

 are occasionally proper for specifical appellations, especially if they 

 refer to more confined subdivisions of the earth, and the subject is 

 destitute of prominent characters, or is both large and isolated. 

 Thus Elephas Asiaticus, Rhinoceros Sondaicus, are as proper as 

 Ursus Americanus is objectionable, and only to be retained because 

 long established: for, in the distribution of animated nature it 

 is a law, with but few exceptions, even in the middle-sized Mam- 

 malia, that in whatever portion of the earth of considerable mag- 

 nitude a species be found of any genus, two or more allied to it 

 may be looked for ; and, therefore, upon the discovery of a first as 

 yet isolated species, the name, if possible, should be expressive 

 of some obvious character, or the local name, if not too barbarous, 

 should be latinized, in preference to a geographical denomination, 

 and most particularly so if that denomination would extend over a 

 fourth part of the globe. Where none of these occur, a provisional 

 name, even of a person, is preferable. For these reasons the name 

 of Furcifer is retained in preference to Americana; but not even 

 for them alone, but also because at that very time the author had 

 already, as in the case just specified, a second of the same genus 

 or group, which he had reason to consider of the same country, to 

 indicate. 



