22 



DESCRIPTION OF THE SIVATHERIUM, 



perfect specimens of the lower portions of the extremities of a large rumi- 

 nant, belonging to three legs of one individual. They greatly exceed the 

 size of any known ruminant, and excepting the Sivatherium Giganteum, 

 there is no other ascertained animal of the order, in our collection, of propor- 

 tionate size to them. We forbear from further noticing them at present, as 

 they appear small in comparison for our fossil : and besides, there are indi- 

 cations in our collection, in teeth and other remains, of other large rumi- 

 nants, different from the one we have described. 



The form of the vertebrae and more especially of the carpi and tarsi, are 

 points of great interest, to be ascertained ; as we may expect modifications 

 of the usual type adapted to the large size of the animal. From its bulk and 

 armed head, few animals could be strong enough to contend with it, and we 

 may expect that its extremities were constructed more to give support, than 

 for rapidity of motion. But, in the rich harvest which we still hope to reap 

 in the valleys of the Markanda, it is probable that specimens to illustrate 

 the greater part of the osteology of the Sivatherium will at no very distant 

 period be found. 



The structure of the teeth suggests an idea regarding the peculiarities of 

 the herbivorous habits of the animal. In the description it was noticed that the 

 inner central plate of enamel ran in a flexuous sweep, somewhat resembling 

 what is seen in the Elasmotherium, an arrangement evidently intended to 

 increase the grinding power of the teeth. It may hence be inferred, that 

 the food of the Sivatherium was less herbaceous than that of existing 

 horned ruminants, and derived from leaves and twigs : or that as in the 

 horse, the food was more completely masticated, the digestive organs less 

 complicated, the body less bulky, and the necessity of regurgitation from 

 the stomach less marked than in the present Ruminantia. 



cliaracters, we are inclined to suspect that it is allied to some other gigantic species of Rumi- 

 nant, of the existence of which we have already a tolerable certainty. Of the existence of the 

 Elk, and a species of Canvelida;, Lieut. Baker of the Engineers has shewn us ample proof, 



