718 ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE MUSK-OX. [June 19. 



skull, (3) form of horns, (4) small aud peculiarly formed ears, 

 (5) shape of muzzle, (6) short tail, (7) short and thick legs, and 

 (8) comparatively large lateral hoofs. 



The difference with regard to the shape of the skull has already 

 been discussed. 



To judge from Milue-Edwards's figures, which give the impression 

 of being remarkably well made, I must confess that I fail to see 

 any resemblance with regard to the shape of the horns except that 

 they are curved in both animals. 



The ears of the Musk-ox, which are not so very small (13-14 cm. 

 in length in the salted and dry skin of a cow, that is 35 per cent, 

 of the basilar leugth of the skull, but of course longer in lifetime), 

 do not seem to have the same form as those of Budorcas (see 

 Milne-Edwards's figures), but are straight and more pointed. This 

 is, however, a small matter upon which to found relationship. 

 The shape of the muzzle is quite different, as Budorcas has a 

 central groove. A short tail is a feature common to so many 

 different ruminants that it is hardly worth while to lay much 

 stress upon it, but it can just as well be quoted as indicating the 

 resemblance between Budorcas and the Sheep. The lateral hoofs 

 of Budorcas are, according to Milne-Edwards's figures, of an 

 absolutely different shape from those of Ovibos, as the former are 

 much more elongate and resemble in shape those of a Reindeer or 

 a "Wild Hog. The flatness and broadness of the canon-bones of 

 Budorcas are very remarkable : but in this respect Budorcas is more 

 different from Ovibos than the latter is from the Goats. This can 

 be seen from the following table of comparative measurements 

 of Budorcas, published by Milne-Edwards (op. cit. p. 376). 



Budorcas. Ovibos tf . Capra hircus. 



Front canon-bone : length in mm 103 155 112 



Transverse diameter of the same in per 



cent, of length 427 23'4 16-9 



Thickness of the same in per cent, of 



length 19-4 130 116 



Hind canon-bone : length in mm 151 161 120 



Transverse diameter of the same in per 



cent, of length 21*1 16-7 13-3 



Under these circumstances I do not think it advisable to lay 

 too much weight on this characteristic either ; and 1 suppose that 

 Matschie'e attempt of classing Ovibos and Budorcas together in 

 one and the same group " Ovibovina j " must be regarded as a 

 failure. A subfamily with such a name can, of now living animals, 

 only include Ovibos alone. 



