THE ANTELOPE OE AMERICA. 



CLASSIFICATION. 



ACCOKDING to tlie arrangement of Cuvier the Eighth Order 

 of Mammalia is the 



RUMIJTANTIA 



These are all distinguished by two peculiar and invariable 

 characteristics : — 



First. They have no incisors in the upper jaw, and 



Second. They all re-masticate their food. 



Other peculiarities, not observed in the other orders of the 

 mammalia, are found in a part of the Ruminantia ; by which 

 these may be separated into divisions or classes ; to some of 

 which, naturalists have already given appropriate and convenient 

 names ; but as we study them and better understand their pe- 

 culiarities, we feel constrained to make changes in these classifi- 

 cations by enlargement, diminution, or transposition. 



This order may, with propriety, be separated into two impor- 

 tant groups : — 



First. Those which have horns or their equivalent, antlers ; 

 and 



Second. Those which are without these appendages. 



The first of these may be represented by the ox, the antelope, 

 the goat, the sheep, the elk, and the like ; while the second em- 

 braces the camel, the llama, the musks, some of tlie chevrotians, 

 etc. 



As we study them still more we feel constrained to further 

 classify the first group into divisions, as follows : — 



First. Those which have hollow horns, all of which are epi- 

 dermal emanations ; and 



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