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LETTER XXIY. 
FOSSIL REMAINS OF RU MIN ANTI A FOSSIL ELK OF IRELAND 
STAGS, &C OX, BUFFALO, AUROCH, &C. 
T he family of Ruminantia, or Biscula, of Dumeril, theorderof Pecora, 
of Lin mens, are distinguished by two toes and two hoofs; the hoof being, 
as it were, cloven. The genera are : 1 . Camelus ; 2. Moschus ; 3. 
Cervus ; 4.Camelo-pardalis ; 5. Antilope; 6. Capra; fOvis; 8 .Bos. 
It is justly observed by Cuvier, that the study of the fossils of this 
family, either osteologically or geologically, is exceedingly difficult. 
The general resemblance to each other of the animals of this family is 
so great, that the several genera can only be characterised by parts, 
such as horns ; which, from their frequently varying with age, sex, and 
climate, must, in their fossil and mutilated states, be very uncertain 
guides. The difficulties which occur, whilst considering them geolo- 
gically, also applies to the fossil remains of the horse. The remains of 
the ruminants, except those of the Irish elk, and perhaps of some 
species of Cervus, do not appear to differ from the corresponding 
parts of the animals of our climates and our times ; a circumstance in 
which they will be found to vary much from the remains of other 
families. The situations in which they are found appear also to be 
difficult to account for. Most frequently they are found in beds which 
appear to be of the more recent alluvial formation ; but sometimes 
they are also found in those alluvial beds which, from their containing 
