9i 
OSTEOLOGICAL GALLERY. 
[Cases 
20 - 22 .] 
3. The Giraffid(jey like the last family, contains only a single 
species, the Common Giraffe {Giraffa camelupardalis), of which a 
skeleton is placed in the Saloon near the Elephants^ skeletons, and 
[Case 20.] three skulls in Case 20, Eiv. A. The curious bony protuberance, 
almost forming a third horn, in the middle line of the face, already 
mentioned p. 47, is very conspicuous on the largest of these. 
4. The Cervidce have branched deciduous antlers entirely com- 
posed of bone; their molar teeth are short, with the neck above 
the bone of the jaw ; the majority possess canine teeth, which in 
some species are very long. It is interesting to notice that the 
development of these teeth is in inverse proportion to that of the 
horns, the large antlered species having minute or deciduous 
canines, while the few hornless Deer are compensated by most 
efficient dental weapons. 
Skeletons are exhibited in the centre of the Gallery of the Wapiti 
(^Cervus canadensis) and of the Elk (Alces machlis), and, for 
comparison with these largest of living Deer, there is ])laced in 
close proximity the skeleton of a gigantic extinct Deer [Megaceros 
hibernicus) which once lived in many parts of Europe, and the 
remains of which are found in the greatest abundance and in the 
most perfect state of preservation in the peat-bogs of Ireland. 
In the wall-cases there are skeletons of — 
the Ileindeer [Rangifer tarandus). (Case 20, Div. C.) 
the Fallow Deer {Dama vulgaris). (Case 20, Div. D.) 
David^s Deer [Ehiphurus davidianus) . 
the ]\tule and Virginian Deer [Cariacus macrotis and virginia- 
nus). (Case 22.) 
the Pudu {Pudii humilis). (Case 23, Div. A.) 
the Chinese Water-Deer [Hijdropotes iuermis). 
the Tufted Deer [Elaphodiis michianus) (Case 22, Div. B), the 
two last being instances of hornless Deer with long up])er canines. 
The antlers of the Cervidce arc mounted on the tops of the Cases 
in the Mammalian Gallery. 
Order YIII. SIRENIA, or Sea-Cows. 
This remarkable Order differs strikingly in structure from all 
the others, although formerly these animals were ])laced with the 
AVhales, on account of their aquatic habits and want ot hind limbs. 
The Sea-Cows have rounded heads, very small eyes, no ears, a 
