Ruminantia. MAMMALIA. Ungulata. cxxi 
Sub-Fa.mii.y— .ANTILOCAPllI NMl 
AnTILOCAI’UA. 
In the family Bovidm Wallace places, with others, 
this siiiijle gemis with its single species, as forming a 
sub-family. 'I'his form is regarded as very peculiar 
on account of the “ great compression of the basal 
portion of the horn, with the prominent angular 
flattened process on its anterior edge.” 'I'he absence 
of the small false hoofs is another remarkable feature. 
Prince Maximilian asserts that traces of one of those 
false hoofs may sometimes be seen in the fore-feet, 
but never two together. 'I'his genus was described 
by Hamilton .Smith as Dicranoceros. 
PRONG-HORN ANTELOPE [Antilocapra amcri- 
cana). — 'I’his iS the well-known Antelope of our west- 
ern plains ; called, also. Prong-buck (Fig. 01, p. 172, 
\u)l. 1), Berendo of the Mexicans, and Cabru and 
Cabrit. It is regarded as nearer the European Cha- 
mois than any other form. Its range is rather limited, 
being confined to the temperate regions of North 
America, and to the more western portions comprised 
within the limits of the Mississippi River and the 
Pacific Ocean. It does not pass east of that river, 
and only reaches it in high latitudes. It is now found 
only west of the .Missouri River. It was very abun- 
dant in California about the time of its settlement. 
Its favorite range is upon the barren or naked plains, 
avoiding quite sedulously the timber lands, as it de- 
])ends on its fieetness for escape from enemies. Lewis 
and Clark first noticed this animal, describing it in 
a report of their expedition up the Missouri River 
country. 'I'he Pi'ong-buck is not so large as the Vir- 
ginia Deer. An average adult, from the nose to the 
end of the tail, measures from four feet ten inches to 
five feet. 'I’he height at the shoulders is two feet 
and ten inches ; at the hip, three feet and one inch. 
'I’he eye is largei’ than that of any known quadruped 
of its size, being nearly that of the Elephant. It is 
intensely black in color, but soft and gentle in e.x- 
pression, rivaling the true Cazelle in its winning 
aspect. 
Long before the truth was known to science, hunt- 
ers had observed that the horns of the Prong-horn 
Antelope were “ dropped ” as are those of the Deer ; 
yet no definite information was elicited or recorded. 
In 1848 Dr. Canfield, of California, sent the informa- 
tion to the Smithsonian institution, but the circum- 
stance was so contrary to known examples that no 
special interest was awakened. In 18.0.7 Mr. Bartlett 
attested the fact in the Zoological Cardens of Lon- 
don, and in the February following Canfield’s paper 
was published. “ 'I’he creature has a deciduous, 
hollow horn, which envelops a persistent core, which 
is a process of the skull. 'I’his shell is true horn, 
and has the same general system of growth as other 
horns, although it is cast annually like antlers of 
Deer. It thus reveals an intermediate link between 
the two principal groups of hollow and solid-horned 
ruminants.” 'i’he lower portion only is hollow ; this 
is quite flat, but the point or other half is round, and 
becomes polished by wear. A striking characteristic 
VoL. !.-<?. 
in this creature is seen in the presence of numerous 
cutaneous glands — eleven in number — which secrete 
a strong, pungent odor (“ a strong, herein odor,” says 
Richardson). 'I’hose below the ears more particu- 
larly are potent ; as also those of the ischiatic region. 
Dr. Murie regards the Prong-horn as a “ Cirafl'e- 
hoofed. Sheep haired. Deer-headed, Goat-glanded An- 
telope.” 'I’he flesh is much prized, having the repu- 
tation of being superior to either beef or venison. 
It is ‘‘ dark, fine-grained and tender, with an agree- 
able flavor.” This creature is a strictly herbivorous 
feeder. It is timid and shy. In fleetness it is said 
to excel all other quadrupeds upon the plains, but 
does not long maintain its speed. It is particularly 
gregarious; and Canfield credits it with being aston- 
ishingly salacious — exceeding the Goat in this pro- 
pensity. 'I’he curious white patch on the stern, 
which is so conspicuous, and elicits a query as to its 
use, being so abrupt in its color and form, is said to 
exhibit an erect and radiated aspect when the 
creature is at play or excited. 'I’he same is seen on 
the stern of the Wapiti, and is, no doubt, similar 
in functions. 'I’he Prong-horn is readily tamed, and 
soon loses its shy, timid action. Its true place in 
the animal kingdom is thought to be nearer the 
Antelopes than any other grou}). In leaping it 
makes enormous horizontal distances, but fails in a 
vertical direction. Like the Deer it has four active 
inamniiB, while the Goat has only two. In common 
with the hollow-horn ruminants it has a gallbladder, 
which is wanting in all Gervid(B. 
'I’he female is sometimes found seemingly with no 
horns ; they are, however, present, though concealed 
by the fur, being mere rudiments or knobs. 'I’he 
hair is curiously tubular, and is stiff and harsh- 
Sub-Family— NEMO RIIEDINlE. 
In this sub-family Wallace includes two genera 
and ten species. 'I’hese are the Goat-like Antelopes. 
'I’he typical genus — Nemorhedus — has nine species in 
Asia. 'I’he one other genus — Aplocerus — is wholly 
American, and is repre.sented by only one species — 
the Rocky Mountain Goat. 
Ablockrus — Ham. Smith. 
'This genus has variously been designated, as 
Haplocerus, by NTagner ; and Mazama, by Rafinesque 
and Gray ; Capra, Antelope and Ovis. 'I’his form is 
a true Antelope in all essential features and affini- 
ties, though having somewhat the aspect of the Goat, 
from whence it derives its trivial name. In this 
genus the horns are very small, and ringed at the 
base. 'I’he nose is hairy, and ovine in aspect. It has 
no mulHe, and no tear bag. 'I’here is under fur, short 
and woolly ; and the outer fur is long and pendant. 
False hoofs are present. 
THE MOUNTAIN GOAT {Aplocerus montatius ). — 
Plate III, fig. xi.— This is extremely unfamiliar, and 
is the only animal of the kind known. It is e.xclu- 
sively American. Probably the creature is not rare 
among the far-off and snow-clad peaks of the Rocky 
Mountains, yet it is so nearly inaccessible in its 
