340 VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. 



{Bovidct) the most important species is the domestic Ox {Bos tauitis) 

 with its innumeniljle varieties. The true Butfalos (Buhalus) are 

 natives of Asia and Africa, and are cliaracterised by tlieir wide 

 liorns united ;it the base (%. 245). Tlie American Buffalo (BLwn 

 America tius)^ or Bison as it is properly called, is distinguished by its 



Fig. 240.— Antelopidte. Head of the Koodoo {Sfi'cpsiceros Koodoo). 



enormous head, shaggy mane, and conical hump between the 

 shoulders. America also possesses another singular Ox (or Sheep) 

 in the person of the Mixsk Ox {Ovibos mosckatus\ which is found 

 north 01^ the 60th parallel, and is remarkable for its small size and 

 long woolly coat. 



Order VII. Dinocerata. 



This order comprises only some extraordinary extinct animals found in 

 the Tertiary deposits (Eocene) of Nortli America. In Dlnoceras, which may loe 

 taken as the type of the group, we have an animal of large size, resembling the 

 Elephants in most of the details of the skeleton^ with five well-developed toes 

 on the fore-feet, and with four functional toes on the hind-feet, the hallux heing 

 rudimentary. No trunk or " proboscis " was ]iresent, but there are three pairs 

 of bony processes, or " cores," which seem to have carried as many horny pro- 

 tuberances, one pair being on the nasal bones, another on the upper jaws, and 

 the third (the largest) on the frontal bones. Tlie U2:)per jaw is without incisors, 

 but carries huge tusk-like canines ; and a series of six small premolars and 

 molars is present on each side. In the lower jaw are six incisors, small canines, 

 and a corresponding series of premolars and molars. 



OaDER VIII. Ttllodontia. 



This is another extinct order of Mammalia, comprising some singular fossil 

 quadrupeds from the Tertiary deposits (Eocene) of Nortli America. The ani- 

 mals included in this order resemble the Beasts of Prey [Carnlvora) most 



