Sub-order. | Section. | Division. | Group. | |||
 | Ox-tribe | |||||
| HORNED RUMINANTS. | |||||
| TRUE RUMINANTS. | Deer-tribe | ||||
| RUMINANTIA. | CHEVROTAINS OR | |||||
CAMEL TRIBE |
The large sub-order of the Ruminantia is seen to be primarily divided into two sections, namely, the typical Ruminants and the aberrant Ruminants (the Tylopoda). The typical Ruminants, in which the stomach is formed upon the plan of that described above in the Oxen, fall into two divisions, the smaller of which—that of the Chevrotains or Deerlets—possesses no psalterium, or third stomach, except in a rudimentary condition. The Horned Ruminants, including the Deer, Muntjacs, Elk, Oxen, and Antelopes, compose by far the largest number of the whole sub-order, and will be first described.
HORNED RUMINANTS.
The Horned Ruminants—with which, anomalous as it may at first seem, have to be included one or two hornless species, on account of their so closely resembling them in other respects—have their cranial appendages developed after one or other of two principles. In one group, which, from the fact that the Oxen are included with them, are named the Bovidæ, the horns are hollow, straight, or variously-twisted cones, supported upon bony prolongations from the forehead, resembling them in shape upon a smaller scale. These horns are permanent, except in the American Antelope, increasing in size each year, at the same time that they often exhibit transverse markings, which indicate the annual increase. In the other group—the Cervidæ, or Deer Tribe—the horns or antlers are deciduous, being cast off each year, to be shortly replaced by others, which share the fate of their predecessors. These antlers are entirely made of bone, and when fully grown are not covered with any less dense investment.
To commence, then, with the Bovidæ, or Oxen, and their allies.
THE BOVIDÆ, OR HOLLOW-HORNED RUMINANTS.
In these ruminating animals the permanent bone-cones on the forehead are covered with a black horny coating, which is not shed during the whole life of their owners, and in which, as they continue to grow until adult life at least, the tips are the oldest parts. The females in some species have horns like their mates, but smaller, as in the Ox and Eland; while in others—the Koodoo and the Sing-Sing Antelope, for example—the males alone are horned. The most aberrant members of this group are the Giraffe, the Cabrit, and the Musk, which will be considered after the less peculiar genera have been discussed. These include the Oxen, Bush-Bucks, Antelopes, Koodoos, Goats, Sheep, &c., which will be referred to more in detail.
MERINO SHEEP.