THE ANATOMY OF THE ELK. 



389 



tate as well ; but this view appears to us to be untenable, inasmuch 

 as the vesiculae of these deer are true diverticula of the vasa defe- 

 rentia, and that each opens into the urethra along with the vas 

 deferens of tlie same side. Cowper's glands are present in several 

 species of Cervus, whilst in others they are absent. Their pre- 

 sence would appear to be of no great importance in determining 

 the classification of this group. They are absent in Cervus ela- 

 phus, which in some respects approaches closely to the Elk, in 

 which they are present. The large size and peculiar form of the 

 vesicula prostatica above described differs much from the rudi- 

 mentary organ figured by Leuckart * in the Stag, but closely re- 

 sembles the corresponding organ in the Goat. Unfortunately the 

 very limited number of observations on its configuration in diffe- 

 rent species of Deer prevents any general conclusion being drawn 

 regarding its arrangement in this group. The glans penis, to the 

 form of which as an element of classification of the Euminants 

 Prof. Garrodf attributes some weight, in the Elk resembles more 

 closely that of Cervus caslimerianus than that of any other species 

 figured by the author just named. 



Comparative deductions respecting the myology of the Elk do 

 not seem advisable until it be completely worked out. So far as 

 the muscles of the limbs are concerned, they are seen to closely 

 resemble those of the Ox and Sheep amongst Euminants. Owing 

 to the want of definite information on the myology of Cervidse, it 

 is impossible to arrive at any conclusions regarding the comparison 

 of the Elk in this respect with the animals to which it is most 

 closely allied. 



Taking into consideration, however, those anatomical features 

 of the Elk which are brought out in the foregoing description, 

 there can be no doubt but that they lead to the conclusion that 

 in all essentials the animal is a true though somewhat aberrant 

 species of Deer ; at the same time it appears doubtful if the 

 deviation from what may be called the normal Cervine type is 

 sufficient to justify the creation of a separate genus for the recep- 

 tion of Cervus alces. 



DESCEIPTION OF THE PLATES. 

 Plate VI. 



Fig. 1. Dorsum of tongue showing papillse (half natural size). 



2. Mucous membrane of the cheek with papillae (natural size), 



* Cyclopaedia of Anatomy, art. Vesicula prostatica. 

 t Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1877. 



