1900.] 



SOFT ANATOMY OF THE MUSK-OX. 



143 



bare fissure (phiUrum) extending from the naked area between 

 the nostrils over the upper lip, which is so characteristic of the 

 Sheep and their allies. With regard to shape, the muzzle of 

 Ovibos is more flat and broad, and its nostrils are wider apart 

 than in the Sheep, although closer than in an Ox. The nostrils are 

 not so widely open as in an Ox, and not so closed by the upper 

 flap as in the Sheep. 



Both upper and lower lips (fig. 1) are anteriorly broad and beset 



Upper (A) and lower (B) lips of the Musk-o.\ 



with hard warts ; this warty area being in an adult bull about 2 cm. 

 broad and 7£ cm. long. The warty ai-eas of the lips work against 

 each other as the jaws of a pair of pincers, and are apparently well 

 fitted for seizing the food. The Musk-ox thus browses with its 

 lips. The mouth is square, but must be called small, as the distance 

 from the anterior angle to the corner of the mouth is not more 

 than 7| cm., or the same as the breadth of the lips anteriorly. 



The palatal ridges (rugce pdlati), tig. 2, are 13-14 pairs in addition 

 to l lie first undivided one. They are often irregular, so that in some 



