RUMINANTIA. 129 



When we consider the wool of the sheep, as also the same in some 

 goats, we cannot the less admire their utility ; whilst, like the cow, 

 their superabundant offspring become our food. 



The deer form a genus which, perhaps, admits of more variety than 

 any, especially in size, viz. from the elk to the little deer of Africa ; 

 certain kinds, the rein-deer, e. g., in some countries, are not less useful, 

 both for their labour, and as food, than are the cow or sheep. 



When we consider this tribe of animals at large, that, when rendered 

 unfit for propagation, as the males and superfluous females often are, 

 this both increases their size, and makes them more delicate food ; and 

 that their use does not stop here, but that when, by age, they are no 

 longer subservient for labour, yet their skins become one of the most 

 useful articles in our common economy, and even our luxuries, [the 

 value of the ruminants is more fully manifested]. 



Their external figure varies one from another, but through the whole 

 there is a similarity. In some parts these differences are greater than 

 in others. The head is the part that bears the greatest resemblance 

 through the whole class. 



As far as I know they are quadrupeds, and all are cloven-footed, or 

 have a tendency to cloven feet, as in the camel ; in general they have 

 two anterior large hoofs, and two small posterior ones. 



Most of them have horns, both male and female, although not all : 

 and in some, the males only have horns, as in some deer. The colour 

 varies very much ; but, whatever it is, the belly is always white. 



The head is, in general, somewhat pyramidal or conical, at the upper 

 part largest, having four sides and as many angles, becoming smaller 

 and rounder downwards towards the mouth, and at the mouth swelling 

 laterally. The axis of the head is nearly at right angles with the neck. 

 The neck is in general long and commonly round, although not in all ; 

 and is hollow or curved on the upper part from the shoulder to the 

 head. They are, in general, thin from side to side forward, and swelling 

 out towards the belly, becoming there very round and big ; towards 

 the hips and thighs they become rather thinner. 



The legs in general are slender for the size of the body, especially the 

 metatarsal and metacarpal bones; and the hind leg generally stands 

 more under the belly than in most other animals. 



The horns, of those that have them, generally arise from the upper 

 and fore-part of the head; but, in the elk, they arise just above the 

 eyes, the head rising considerably higher; and they vary from one 

 another considerably. They may be divided, first, into two classes, 

 ' horns ' and ' bones ' [or antlers]. 



The ears are pretty large, erect, becoming very broad, forming 



VOL. II. k 



