CHAPTER XXII. 
Ungulates,— continued. 
The Prongbuck, Family Antilocapridae ; and 
The Giraffe, Family GiraffiDcE. 
The prongbuck of North America and the giraffe of Africa differ so much from all 
other living Ruminants, and likewise from one another, that they are referred by 
common consent to two distinct families, namely, the Antilocapridce and the 
Girajfidce. Whereas, however, the former is closely allied to the preceding family 
of the Oxen, the affinities of the latter are rather with the Deer family, to be 
described in the next chapter. 
The Prongbuck. 
Family ANTILOCAPRIDCE. 
The prongbuck or prong-horned antelope (Antilocapra americana ) much 
resembles an antelope in general appearance, but differs from all members of the 
family Bovidce in that the sheaths of the horns give off a short branch about the 
middle of their length from their front edge, while the sheaths themselves are 
periodically shed and afterwards replaced by a new growth. 
The prongbuck stands about 2 feet 10 inches in height at the shoulder, and 
some 3 inches more at the rump, and is of a light and graceful build, with the head 
carried very high. The head is of moderate length, with the muzzle hairy except 
for a narrow line in the middle of the upper lip, and large and pointed ears. The 
horns, which are present in both sexes, rise vertically above the eyes; they are 
much compressed from side to side, and curved slightly backwards at the tips, 
while the anterior process is inclined upwards and forwards at an angle of about 
45 degrees with the main axis. The bony cores of the horns are dagger-shaped, 
without any branching. The tail is extremely short, not exceeding 3 inches in 
length, and the feet have small hoofs and no traces of the lateral hoofs so commonly 
present in the Bovidce. There is no gland on the face below the eye, neither are 
there any tufts of hair on the knees. 
The coloration of the prongbuck is decidedly handsome and striking; the 
general hair of the upper-parts and outer surfaces of the limbs being chestnut. The 
hair on the back of the neck, which is of the general chestnut tint, is lengthened 
into a kind of mane. The face is brownish black; but the summit of the head 
above the eyes, and likewise the ears, cheeks, and chin are white. White also 
