KONGL. SV. VET. AKADEMIENS HANDLINGAR. BAND 35. N:0 3. 49 



SO strongly denticulated as in the common ox or the muskox.') In the gnu, however, 

 even the hindmost ones have their margin crenulated unlike the condition found in the 

 common ox in ^vhich the posteriov ones are smooth. 



The papilla incisiva (or palati) has the shape of a rather long, transversal fold, 

 semi-lunar in shape and only along the posterior convex margin divided by a furrow from 

 the adjoining parts. This is different from the more or less triangulär papilla of Bos 

 and Ovis"), bnt that in the gnu the papilla is distinct only along its postei-ior margin 

 is a fact that resembles the condition found in the muskox, although in the latter the 

 outline is more strongly convex. 



The inner surface of the buccal träets is in front of the molar series densely beset 

 with strongly developed conical papillfB with the points directed inwards. Nearly all of 

 these are simple and the largest measure about 7 mm. in length. Interiorly there are 

 sonie very few double or even triple-pointed papillas. Along the upper molars there is 

 a single row of papillfc. Below these are two or three rows of short and broad partly 

 round papilla; pointing downwards. Along the lower molars there is also a number of 

 rather densely set sliort, but stout papillaj pointing upwards. Between these upper 

 and loAver series of papillaä the middle of the interiör buccal tract in the molar region 

 is almost smooth only showing some few scattered, very small papillas which entirely 

 disappear further in. As the innermost papilla^ of the above mentioned single upper 

 molar series may be regarded a stout, bluntly double-pointed one situated just in front 

 of the opening of ductus stensonianus at the posterior end of the second molar. The 

 developraent of these buccal papilla; is thus in the gnu strikingiy difterent from the same 

 in Ovihos in which the papilltB are larger, more numerous in the inner region, and also 

 oftener 2-or 3 pointed. The condition found in the common ox is, on the other hand, 

 more similar to that of the gnu. - 



On both sides along the insertion of the tongue in the gnu there is a more or 

 less distinct longitudinal fold, which especially in its anterior half is fringed with pointed 

 conical papilla3 and Avhich has been formed by the confluence of such a series of single 

 papillie as that found in this place in other ruminants. Posteriorly this fold becomes 

 obsolete and the papillas few and small. On these posterior papillre the ducts from 

 glandula suhlingualis open. 



The caruncula suhlingualis of the gnu consists of a larger anterior papilla or flap, — 

 claw-shaped in outline, but flnttened and with the point curved forward, and a smaller 

 posterior one which is also flattened, ovate or somewhat triangulär in outline. With 

 regard to this the gnu i-esembles the muskox quite closely. At the same time it diffei"s 

 from Bos which has a broad flap, as well as from Ovis and Capra with an anterior 

 triangulär and two smaller posterior flaps. 



The tongue is long (in the specimen at hand about 23 cm.). It is much broadened 

 in front where it measures about 67 mm. in \vidth, but in the middle not much more 

 than half that (about 37 mm.). Its tip is truncate rounded at the sides flat and thin 



^) Conf. LÖNNBERG: »On tho soft anatomy of the muskox», Proc. Zool. Soc, London 1900. 

 ^) It is also triangulär in Capreolus and Rangifer. 

 ^) Conf. my paper quoted, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1900. 



K. Sv. Vet. Akail. Handl. Band 35. N:o 3. 7 



