142 DR. E. LONNBERG ON THE [Feb. 20> 



2. On the Soft Anatomy of the Musk-Ox (Ovibos moschatus). 

 By Dr. Einar Lonnbekg. 1 



[Received January 25, 19U0.] 



When last spring (1899) it was decided that a Swedish 

 Expedition under the direction of Professor A. G. Nathorst should 

 start for Greenland, Professor T. TuDberg suggested the im- 

 portance of obtaining examples of the viscera and other parts of 

 the Musk-ox ; and sent out the necessary outfit for this purpose. 

 Professor INathorst, as is well-known, made in the ' Antarctic ' 

 a successful voyage ; and arriving early in East Greenland, he 

 had ample time for geographical and other researches. 



Musk-oxen were found and shot at several places. The 

 Zoologist of the Expedition, Ivar Arwidson, Accordingly had the 

 opportunity of making a good collection. The animal was, however, 

 found to be of greater bulk than was expected, and it was therefore 

 with no little difficulty that its different parts were preserved, the 

 receptacles being found rather small for the purpose. Nevertheless, 

 the following organs were secured (skins, skeletons and skulls not 

 being counted) : — 



Of an old bull killed the 9th of July on Sabine Island and 

 measuring 228 cm. in length : alimentary canal with appendages, 

 liver, spleen, &c. ; lungs and heart; urinogeuilal organs (partly 

 damaged) ; eyes, larynx, tongue and the lining of the mouth. Of 

 a young cow killed the 11th of July in Queen Augusta Valley: 

 udder and histological material from different organs. Of an old 

 cow killed the 26th of August at Emperor Franz Joseph Fjord : 

 udder. Of an old bull killed the 29th of August: urinogenital 

 organs. In addition to this two brains and certain other specimens. 



When the expedition returned it was, with the consent of 

 Professor Nathorst, agreed that the present writer should be 

 allowed to investigate the material mentioned above ; and he has 

 now the honour to lay before the Society the results of this 

 investigation. 



The muzzle of Ovibos is covered with short hair, with the excep- 

 tion of a strip along the upper margin of either nostril, which is 

 naked, and probably in the living animal moist. This naked part 

 has a papillary surface. The naked strips above the nostrils in an 

 adult bull are about 8 mm. broad, and extend in a median direction 

 so as to meet on the auterior surface, where the naked region is a 

 little broader. So far the condition of the muzzle has a certain 

 likeness to that of a Sheep 2 . There is, how ever, a great difference, 

 because in Ovibos there is not the slightest trace of that vertical, 



1 Communicated by R. Lydekker. 



2 The hairiness of the muzzle can very well be explained as an adaptation to 

 the cold climate, and there is no need to regard it as a sign of affinity between 

 the Sheep and the Musk-ox. Compare the Reindeer! But it may also be an 

 ancient characteristic. Compare the Antelopes! 



