BOVID^ 57 



Family Bovidse. (Cattle, Sheep, Antelopes and Goats.) 

 Horns usually present, permanent, hollow and placed on a 

 bony core ; canines absent ; second and fifth toes present in some 

 genera, absent in others ; g-all bladder usually present. 



There are thirty or thirty-five genera of Bovid'se and about 

 one hundred and fifty species. Bovidse are digitigrade. gregar- 

 ious and principally diurnal. They are principally Ofd World in 

 distribution. Several species are domesticated and have been 

 introduced in all civilized countries. Tlieir food is vegetable, 

 mostly herbs and their seeds. As is the habit with most Ungulata, 

 the food is gathered in with the tongue; pressed by the lower in- 

 cisors against the pad-like end of the upper jaw and torn 

 loose with a pull. It is then swallowed with but little chewing; 

 and later remiasticated. The Bovidae form a large source of 

 food supply for the human race, and a considerable part of their 

 clothing also. 



Genus Ovis LiNNijus. (Sheep.) 

 Horns present in the males, usually large, curved beckwaid 

 spirally ; females usually with small horns ; a small lachrymal pit 

 usually present; interdigital glands in all the feet. 



Dental formula, I, 0—4; C, o — o; P, 3 — ^3; M, 3 — 3X2=32. 

 The domestic sheep has been introduced into nearly all parts 

 of the world by man. Its origin is unknown. It is unlike any 

 of the now known wild sheep, none of which have such heavy 

 coats of wool. There are eighteen species of wild sheep now 

 known, the greater number being Asiatic. 



Ovis canadensis Shaw. (Of Canada.) 



ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN— MOUNTAIN SHEEP. 



General color grayish brown; nose and chin lighter; belly 

 and a large patch on the rump and about the tail white, tail and 

 a narrow stripe on the rump like the back, horns of male massive. 



Type locality, Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada. 



