OCR Text |
Show 1878.] CLASSIFICATION O F T H E CERVIDAE. 915 Since my description of the species, the Society has received two living specimens ( <S and $> ) from Mr. Robertson, to whom I was indebted for m y original knowledge of its existence. Cervus mesopotamicus is a very much larger animal than C. dama. B. Distal ends of metacarpi remaining. (TELEMETACARPI.) Posterior portion of the narial cavity not divided by the vomer into two distinct chambers. Tuft of hair on the external surface of the metatarsus when present above the centre of that bone. Tuft on inside of the tarsus absent. 4. ALCES. 1827. Alces (subgen.), Ham. Sm., Griff. An. Kingd. vol. v. p. 303. Antlers dichotomous, both main branches palmated, the posterior branch (fig. 11, 6) much surpassing the anterior branch (fig. 11, a) in dimensions. Anterior nares of great extent, owing to the shortness of the nasals. Lacrymal pit and anteorbital vacuity moderate. Fig. 11. Alces machlis. Ascending rami of the praemaxillae long, not articulating with the nasals. Incisors decreasing gradually in size from the central to the external pair. _ A very small triangular rhinarium. Head very long, neck and body short, legs very long, stature great. Young unspotted. Distribution. North Palaearctic and Nearctic regions. |