CERVIDE 329 
while the placenta and viscera likewise agree with those of the true 
Deer. In the total absence of any ossification of the vomer to 
divide the posterior nares Hydropotes resembles Capreolus and differs 
from all the following genera. The Chinese Water-Deer is nearly 
of the same size as the Indian Muntjac. It has short legs and a 
long body, the hair covering the latter being of a light reddish- 
brown. It is a remarkably prolific animal, differing from all other 
Deer in producing five or six young at a time. 
The mandible of a ruminant from the Middle Miocene of Gers 
in France, described under the name of Platyprosopus, presents such 
a marked remblance to Hydropotes in the form of the angle as to 
suggest a more or less intimate affinity. 
Cariacus1—Skull (Fig. 132) with the vomer dividing the 
posterior nares into two distinct chambers; premaxillee not reach- 
ing nasals. Antlers never greatly exceeding the length of the head. 
Lachrymal vacuity very large, and lachrymal fossa small. Auditory 
bulle slightly inflated. Vertebre: C7,D13,L6,54,C13. Tail 
long or short. Colour uniform in adult. 
This genus, which agrees with the Reindeer in the division of 
the posterior nares by the ossified vomer, comprises a number of 
species confined to the New World, none of which attain very 
large dimensions, and the antlers of which are relatively smaller 
than in the existing species of Cervus. The genus may be divided 
into groups. 
The typical Cariacine group, as represented by C. virginianus, 
has well-developed antlers, with a short brow tine rising from 
the inner side of the beam, and directed upwards, and several 
branches ; a long tail; and no upper canines. In this species, as 
well as in C. mexicanus and other forms, the antlers do not divide 
dichotomously, and the lachrymal fossa is of moderate depth. The 
Mule Deer (C. macrotis) of North America is distinguished by the 
dichotomous branching of the antlers and the deeper lachrymal 
fossa. The Virginian Deer is somewhat smaller than the Fallow 
Deer, and of a uniform reddish-yellow colour in summer, and light 
gray in winter. 
The Blastocerine group of South America is represented by C. 
paludosus and C. campestris, and has dichotomous antlers, with no 
brow tine, and the posterior branch the larger, a short tail, and no 
upper canines. The Furciferine group includes C. chilensis and 
C. antisiensis, confined to western South America. The antlers are 
not longer than the head, with a large anterior tine curving forwards 
at right angles to the simple posterior one. Auditory bulle slightly 
inflated, and rugose. Upper canines may be present. The species 
are of medium size. C. clavatus, of Central America, while resem- 
bling this group in the characters of the skull and the arrangement 
1 Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1850, p. 237. 
