308 UNGULATA 
tions of these parts are most variously combined in different 
members of the group. It appears, however, extremely probable 
that they soon branched into two main types, represented in the 
present day by the Cervide and the Bovide,—otherwise the 
antlered and horned Ruminants. Intermediate smaller branches 
produced the existing Musk-Deer and Giraffe, as well as the extinct 
Helladotherium inclining to the first-named group, and the extinct 
Sivatherium, Brahmatherium, Hydaspitherium, and others more allied 
to the latter, although upon the true relationship of these forms 
there is a difference of opinion. 
The earliest forms of true Pecora, as Paleomeryx, generally had 
no frontal appendages, and some few forms continue to the present 
day in a similar case. In the very large majority, however, either 
in both sexes or in the male 
only, a pair or occasionally two 
pairs (Tetraceros and the extinct 
Sivatherium) of processes are de- 
veloped from the frontal bones 
as weapons of offence and de- 
fence, these being almost always 
formed on one or other of two 
types. 
1, “ Antlers” are outgrowths 
of true bone, covered during 
their growth with vascular, 
sensitive integument coated with 
short hair. When the growth 
of the antler is complete, the 
supply of blood to it ceases, the 
\w, skin dies and peels off, leaving 
sy the bone bare and _insensible, 
and after a time, by a process 
of absorption near the base, it 
becomes detached from the skull 
Fic. 119.—A shed right antler of the Red Deer and is “ shed” (Fig. 119). A 
(Cervus elaphus), found in an Trish lake. a, Brow more or less elongated portion 
tine; b, bez tine; ¢, tres tine; @d, crown or royal a3 . ” . 
ue (Adler Omen or “pedicle” always remains on 
the skull, from the summit of 
which a new antler is developed. In the greater number of exist- 
ing species of Deer this process is repeated with great regularity at 
the same period of each year. The antler may be simple, straight, 
subcylindrical, tapering and pointed, but more often it sends off 
one or more branches called “tines” or “snags” (Fig. 119). In 
this case the main stem is termed the “beam.” Commonly all the 
branches of the antler are cylindrical and gradually tapering. 
Sometimes they are more or less expanded and flattened, the 
