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Show 1870.] DR. J. MURIE ON SAIGA TARTARICA. 499 appertain to the external characters of the animal, are its modes of progression, defence, and attack. As Mr. A. D. Bartlett and myself have noted, its walk is sedate and steady; but when frightened or pursued, it alters its step and springs with a series of bounds in a vaulting manner. This movement is very different from that of Deer or Antelopes (except in iew instances), which trot or canter, two feet touching the ground at the same time, according to the pace adopted; whereas, like mountain-Sheep or Goats, the Saiga jumps elastically, all fours leaving the ground at once. The ischiatic nerves of the last are of immense calibre; but whether this might be adduced as a physiological evidence of the above habit I will not pretend to say. Pallas appears to think that the ample larynx and respiratory organs sufficiently account for their great swiftness, and quotes Cook * in proof of their speed. The latter says they are the finest runners he ever beheld, at first outstripping a greyhound, though not holding out so long: their feet seem scarcely to touch the ground. When Deer fight they run against each other forcibly or tilt their horns in a scooping manner. Antelopes use their horns, or charge with a jerking movement of the head. Goats rear and strike downwards. Cattle toss, gore, or bruise with their head. The clashing butt of Sheep is notorious, as any one is cognizant of when two rams fight. They rush backwards, and by a run gain impetus, and smash head onwards with fearful violence. I have myself witnessed more than once an animal killed outright by the shock. The Saiga, as far as the above habits are concerned, is a true Sheep, and not at all an Antelope. 2. Cutaneous Glands. It is well known that the Ruminantia possess cutaneous secretory structures in various parts of their body. The most obvious of these are the suborbital glands. Another series, either found on two or on all four feet, are the interdigital sacs; whilst yet others, of more inconstant presence and significance, are found in the dermal substance of the groin, on the tarsal segment of the limbs, or on the back of the head and rump. This subject has received attention from Jacob f, Owen "j:, Colonel Hamilton Smith §, Hodgson ||, and others; but the most critical digest is to be found in the masterly Essay of the Society's late and learned Secretary Mr. William Ogilby^. In both the male and female specimens of Saiga tartarica examined by me I have found, with a partial variation of the con- * Voyages and Travels through the Russian Empire (Edinb. 1770), p. 317. t Rep. Brit. Assoc. 1834. | P. Z. S. 1836, p. 37. 8 Griffiths's Transl. ' Regne Animal.' H Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, 1832, and P. Z. S. 1834, p. 80. «[[ " Monograph of the hollow-horned Ruminants," Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. iii. p. 33. i |