CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 9. RUMINANTIA. 
546 
THE PEONG-HOEN. 
the horns are strongly compressed, rough, and scrabous or pearly, like the antlers of deer ; above 
it they are round, black, and polished. The prong itself is also veiy much compressed ; it is little 
more than an inch in length, and points forward, upward, and a little outward. The ears are: 
long, narrow, and pointed ; the tail short and bushy ; the eye large and lively ; the limbs long- 
and slender; and the whole form and appearance of the animal peculiarly graceful and elegant.. 
The head, ears, and legs are covered with short, close hair of the common description, but that of 
the body is long and padded, and of a texture altogether different from that of other animals. It 
is tubular or hollow within, like the feather of a bird, but so brittle and devoid of elasticity that 
it snaps with the smallest effort, and, when pressed between the finger and thumb, crushes like a-' 
reed and never regains its original form. It stands directly out at right-angles to the hide, is- 
about two inches long on the back, sides, and buttocks, but from the ears half-way downi the neck 
it exceeds six inches in length, and forms an erect mane, equally conspicuous in both sexes. On 
the nape of the neck, shoulders, back, and hips, it is of a uniform fawn-color for half an inch at 
the point, and light-blue with a tinge of rose-color at the root; on the sides, chest, and belly, the 
latter color prevails at the root, and the point is of a pure and shining white. The extremities 
are uniform light fawn-color throughout, except on the interior of the fore-arms and thighs, which 
are white. A broad disk of pure white also surrounds the tail, and passes over the croup, and the 
throat is likewise marked with tAvo transverse bands of the same color. This is the winter dress 
of the animal ; but in summer, when the ncAV coat appears, it has at first the ordinary texture 
and appearance of common hair, and only assumes the appearances here described on: the ap- 
proach of the cold season. 
The Prong-Horn inhabits all the western parts of North America, from 53° of north latitude 
to the plains of New Mexico and California, that is, presuming- this species to be the Mazama of 
Hernandez : it is particularly numerous on the banks of the southern branch of the Saskatchewan,, 
and on the upper plains of the Columbia River, and a small herdi annually visits the neighborhood; 
of the station called Carlton House, where some even linger throughout the winter. They are 
gregarious, frequent the open plains and hills of moderate height, never inhabit closely-wooded- 
districts, and migrate from north to south according to the season. When the ground is clear, 
tlieir speed surpasses that of most other animals, but a good horse easily outstrips them after a 
slight fall of snow. They are extremely curious, and the Indians, and even the wokes,,kBov/ how. 
Vol. L— 69 
