688 On Various Genera of the Ruminants. [July s 



completing the indication of genera among the Deer, Antelopes, Goats 

 and Sheep, grounding upon II . Smith and W. Ogilby, whose researches 

 into the essential structure of these groups of animals may be seen 

 in the Regne Animal, English edition of Griffith, Vols, IV. and V. 

 and in the Zoological Journal for December 1836, and Penny Magazine, 

 article Antelope : to which add Mr. Gray on the Musk family, Zoolo- 

 gical Journal for June 1836. Refering, then, the critical reader to the 

 characters of groups as furnished by these writings, I proceed to 

 exhibit the following amended and additional indications, as the results 

 of several years' observation of nature, and as what I believe will, even 

 if occasionally found inaccurate, tend to quicken and guide the obser- 

 vation of my brethren of the services who are scattered over those 

 wildernesses of this - vast land wherein only (or in the vicinity of 

 which) its wild animals can be looked for, or adequately examined, (for 

 they will not keep or carry), and who may be disposed to use their 

 unique opportunities for the advancement of a knowledge of God's 

 works, the meanest of which is a miracle of contrivance. We pause 

 over a Watt's steam-engine, how much more should we pause over 

 self-acting machines which support life and wed matter and spirit ! 



CERVIDCE. 



Mrigadi. Haranadi.* 



Hoofs cloven. Posteal plane of scull forming an obtuse angle with 

 frontal plane. Horns solid, falling annually, proper to males only, 

 (save Rein Deer) inserted, superiorly and proximately, below the 

 frontal crest. Front teeth in the lower jaw 8. None above ; Canines 

 normal and constant, found in both sexes, or in the males only. 

 Molars £ , Mufle normal and constant (save only in Rein Deer and 

 Elk). Teats 4, normally and constantly. Eye-pits constant. Groin 

 pits vaguely defined or wanting. Feet-pits usually present, in all 4 

 feet, or only in the hind. 



1. Genus Cervus. Stags. 

 Mriga. Haran. 



Horns in males only, much branched, 2 basal, one central, and 

 several terminal, snags. 



* The Sanscrit postfix adi, meaning et caitera, is the probable etymon, and certain 

 equivalent of the Latin idoe and ince. 



