RUMINATING ANIMALS. 
87 
cealed by their thick and useful covering, which ren- 
ders their apparent shape unattractive. In nearly 
the whole, a most striking feature will appear to every 
observer, that of horns implanted in the head, and 
sometimes of a very large and unwieldy appearance ; 
and it is remarkable, that the few species which want 
these organs of defence or adornment, possess the 
tusks or cutting teeth which ai-e deficient in the 
others. 
The skeleton of the Ttuminaniia bears a lower 
grade of strength and firmness than in the more per- 
fect Mammalia. The form of it is in general con- 
structed for a power of walking or running with 
great swiftness ; and the consolidation of the bones 
of the extremities, while it detracts from actual 
strength, materially assists the locomotive action. 
Like the horse, and the animals belonging to the same 
division of Mammalia, they have cannon bones; 
but the hoof is divided, which adds to the elasticity 
or spring of the motions, while the splitting may as- 
sist in the more easily withdrawal from soft or miry 
ground; but in the camel, where there is the exception 
of its being united on its under surface, the use is to 
prevent sinking in the soft and running sand. The 
neck is lengthened sufficiently to enable the animals 
to reach the ground with the mouth, and to pluck 
with ease, or gather in with the tongue, the herbage 
which compose their food. At the same time, it is 
furnished with a ligament of great strength, to wield 
the neck, and support the head, generally heavy, and 
