OVIBOS MOSCHATUS. 



CHAPTER II. 



Osteology. 



§ l. Skull. 



§ 2. Limbs. 



§ 3. Place of Ovibos in classification. 

 § 4. Measurements. 



§ 1. Skull. — We have seen that Ovibos moscltatus, in its external characters, approaches 

 the Sheep and Goats more closely than any other Mammals ; an examination of its skeleton 

 confirms its ovine and caprine affinities, and proves how far aloof it stands from Bos, Bison, 

 and Bubalus Caffer. 



The basi-occipital bone in Ovibos moschatus (PI. I, fig. 1) is quadrate in outline, with 

 the sides roughly parallel, so that the area included between the anterior (c) and posterior 

 (d) muscular impression is bounded on each side by a line roughly parallel (fig. 2) to the 

 median line; the anterior impressions also are oval, and are not supported on a tuberosity, 

 as in the Oxen. In the Argali, or Big-horn (fig. 4), and all the Sheep that have passed 

 through my hands, this quadrate definition is more or less clearly marked. In Bos taurus, 

 Bison Americanus, and Catoblepas Gnu, the two sides of the bone converge and give it a 

 truncated triangular form, which reaches a maximum in Bubalus Caffer (fig. 3). In Bos 

 taurus also the anterior muscular impressions are supported on long tuberosities. The 

 basisphenoid is shorter, thicker, and stouter than in Bos, Bison, or Bubalus, and is untra- 

 versed by a median ridge, which is strongly marked in all these three animals. 



The palatal surface of the palatines and maxillaries is more concave transversely than 

 in the Ox, Buffalo, and Bison, and much longer in proportion to its width. The palate 

 tapers gradually to the anterior edge of the premaxillaries, making but a slight detour 

 round the anterior palatal foramen, instead of presenting the broad spatulate terminations 

 seen in all these three genera. All these are decidedly ovine and caprine characteristics. 

 In the Gnu the concavity and length of palate is united with the spatulate termination of 

 the premaxillaries. The large space that the palatines of Ovibos take in the palate points 

 to a bovine affinity. The paramastoid (PI. II, e) process tapers gradually to its apex in 

 Ovibos and the Sheep; in Bubalus Caffer the latter is enlarged. 



The occiput (see PI. II) is remarkable for its height, flatness, and the strong develop- 

 ment of the occipital crest and nuchal spine. The supra-occipital encroaches on the 

 coronal aspect of the skull, where it articulates with the parietals and the wormians, the 



