228 FAUNA ANTIQUA SIVALENSK. 



head of the Ruminantia. In common with the rest of the 

 family it has a compound stomach. Its molars have the form 

 characteristic of Ruminants, and its skeleton generally is 

 constructed on the same plan. But the skull differs very 

 materially in form from that of tbe horned Ruminants ; and 

 we see in the less complete anchylosis of the metacarpal and 

 metatarsal bones, and in the greater division of the carpus 

 and tarsus, an aj)proach to a higher family among the Mam- 

 malia. The anomalous character of the pseudo-canines, the 

 j)resence of incisors in the uj)per jaw, the thickness of skin 

 and horny soles of the feet, show a strong affinity with the 

 Pachydermata. This affinity is greatest with the Solidungula, 

 which the camels approach by their more divided carpus and 

 tarsus ; while the former approximate to the camels by their 

 soldered metacarpals and metatarsals. 



In drawing a comparison between the skull of a Camel and 

 that of a horned Ruminant, the peculiarities of the former 

 are exhibited in the great width and massiveness of the cranial 

 portion, contrasted with that of the muzzle, which is slender; 

 the position of the orbit is more central, and its edges more 

 prominent, owing to the elongation of the cranium and to 

 the greater develoj)ment of the temporal fossa. 



We cannot do better, however, than follow Cuvier in his 

 observations on the same subject, who, in drawing his com- 

 parison with the separate bones of the head, remarks — ' In 

 the true Camels the occipital crest is more elevated, and the 

 temporal fossse more hollowed than in the Lamas, this de- 

 velopment being nearly as great in the Camel as in the 

 Carnivora ; the oceij)ito-temporal suture is considerably in 

 front of this crest; the nasal bones are narrower at their 

 bases, and a much larger space intervenes between the small 

 membranous portion situated at the angle of the nasals and 

 the lachrymal bone, a very small portion of which is exposed, 

 and which does not even extend to the internal sub-orbital 

 foramen in the orbit.' These remarks are applicable to the 

 Ruminants generally, as well as to the Lamas, although the 

 passage from which we have made the quotation is intended 

 for the latter. We may add two other points in which a 

 marked difference exists between the skull of the Camel and 

 the horned Ruminants : first, in a greater depth of maxillary 

 bone, and a consequent elevation of the nasals ; second, in 

 the external nasal aperture being provided with three pairs 

 of bones, the nasals and intermaxillaries being separated ; 

 this intervening space is a general feature in the Camel, 

 although subject to great variations in extent. We have seen 

 sj)ecimens with the nasals and intermaxillaries separated by 

 a space of two inches, and others again with only one quarter 



