46 EINAK LÖNNBERG, STUDIES ON RUMINANTS. 



others from the soft anatomy, when it becomes known. A remarkable difference is the 

 one pointed out by Lydekker:^ »that all existing species of Asiatic buöaloes are at once 

 distinguished from their African cousins by the reversal of the hair on the middle line 

 of the back». This seems to be an important character, which may not very easily be 

 subjected to change. 



If the Asiatic and African buftaloes are not, as it seems, very nearly related, the 

 question may arise, whether there may be found any other now living Cavicornia to 

 which the African buffaloes could couiit any aftinity. In such a case the thoughts are 

 most likely centered on the gnu, Avhich certainly displays in some respects a considerable 

 likeness to the Caffer buftalo. It ought then to be decided whether the resemblance 

 only is superficial and depending upon parallelism in development or due to common 

 origin. But such a question is not easy to answer in a satisfactory manner especially 

 Avhen the material at hand is not sufficiently large. Rutimeyer^) has thoroughly discussed 

 the bovine and antelopine characteristics of the skull of the gnu. He then arrives at the 

 conclusion that the gnu is more closely related to the longheaded (Bubalidine) antelopes than 

 to the '»Bovina». This seems now of course rather axiomatic, as these antelopes form, to- 

 gether with the gnu, a natural group, but the question is, has this whole group any 

 affinity with the African buffaloes througli the gnu? Rutimeyer^) points out that the 

 occipital and cerebral regions of the skull of the gnu, the horns, the choana?, the shape 

 of the incisors ete. resemble the same of the African buffaloes, especially Bubalus brachy- 

 ceros. It might also be added, the shape of the broad pra3maxillary region, the nose etc. 

 But, on the other hand, the longitudinally, much extended facial tract is unlike the same 

 of the African buffaloes, and the difference with regard to the molar series is also great. 

 The accessory columns of the molars are namely entirely absent in the gnu, and the 

 premolars of the permanent dentition are very much reduced in size. This is of course 

 a very important difference, but it is possible that the accessory columns have been 

 present in the molars of the ancestors of the gnu and then become reduced. In such a 

 case a reduction of the whole molar series should liave taken place in the gnu and its 

 allies. If this is so, there seems to be possibilities for assuming that the African buffaloes 

 and the gnu have originated from a common stock, but diverged in different directions. 

 This divergence has been still greater in the development of the caama and allies. 



Most of the material used for this investigation belongs to the zoological Museum 

 of the Royal University Upsala and has with usual liberality been placed at my disposition 

 by Professor T. Tullbekg, to whom I therefore beg to express my heartiest thanks. 

 But I owe sincere thanks to Professor F. A. Smitt, as well, who kindly has permitted 

 me to investigate the siructure of the cores of four species of antelopes belonging to 

 the Zoological State-Museum, Stockholm and also permitted me to inspect the skulls of 

 several other Cavicornia. 



1) Wild Oxen etc. p. 120. 



'■') Versuch einer nat. Gesch. d. Riiid. II. 



3) 1. c. p. 5. 





