264 



FAUNA ANTIQUA SIVALENSIS. 



of one individual. Tliey greatly exceed the size of any 

 known ruminant, and, excepting the Sivatherium gigan- 

 teum, there is no other ascertained animal of the order 

 in our collection, of proportionate size to them. We 

 forbear from further noticing them at present, as they appear 

 small in comj)arison for our fossil ; and, besides, there are in- 

 dications in our collection, in teeth and other remains, of 

 other large ruminants different from the one we have described. 



The forms of the vertebrae, and more especially of the carpi 

 and tarsi, are points of great interest to be ascertained ; as 

 we may expect modifications of the usual type adapted to the 

 large size of the animal. From its bulk and armed head, 

 few animals could be strong enough to contend with it, and 

 we may expect that its extremities were constructed more to 

 give support than for rapidity of motion. But, in the rich 

 harvest which we still hope to reap in the valleys of the 

 Murkunda,it is probable that specimens to illustrate the greater 

 part of the osteology of the Sivatherium will at no very 

 distant period be found. 



The structure of the teeth suggests an idea regarding the 

 peculiarities of the herbivorous habits of the animal. In the 

 descrijjtion it was noticed that the inner central plate of 

 enamel ran in a flexuous sweep, somewhat resembling what 

 is seen in the Elasmotherium, an arrangement evidently in- 

 tended to increase the grinding power of the teeth. It may 

 hence be mferred that the food of the Sivatherium was less 

 herbaceous than that of existing homed ruminants, and de- 

 rived from leaves and twigs ; or that, as in the horse, the food 

 was more completely masticated, the digestive organs less com- 

 jDlicated, the body less bulky, and the necessity of regurgitation 

 from the stomach less marked than in the present Ruminantia. 



The following dimensions, contrasted with those of the 

 Elephant and Ehinoceros, will afford a tolerably accurate idea 

 of the size of the Sivatherium. They are characteristic 

 although not numerous : — 



