| OCR Text |
Show 1884.] MR. W. T. B L A N F O R D O N H E A D S O F OVIS POLI. 327 given in the paper I have quoted, the length of a horn round the curve varies from 42§ inches to 48£, the mean being 45, and the distance from tip to tip of horns in a straight line 31 to 36, mean 33 ; whilst in six adult specimens of O. poli the length of horn is from 49 to 63, mean 55*25, and the distance between the tips 43\ to 55, mean 48*25 ; or the mean ratio in 0. kareliniis 100:73, and in 0. poli 100 : 87 \ The following are the measurements of the eleven specimens now exhibited. Where there is any difference in the length of the two horns, that of the longer horn is given, it being assumed that the deficiency in the other is due to wear. The horns are measured from the base in front over the outside curve of the frontal surface to the tip; the distance from tip to tip is of course measured in a straight line. From tip to Length of horns tip of horns in round curve. a straight line. Ratio. No. 1 58 51 100 : 88 2 (fig. 1) 58 50| 100 : 87 3 57| 47 100 : 82 4 62 47i 100 : 76 5 63i 48 100 * 75 6 6l| 461 100 : 75 7 59| 43f 100 : 73 8. 61 43 100 : 70 9 (fig. 2) 55 37 100 : 67 10 60| 39| 100 : 65 11 (fig. 3) 63| 39 100 : 61 In the last specimen one horn is slightly imperfect at the end, and an allowance is made for the deficiency in estimating the length from tip to tip. Figs. 1 and 3 (p. 328) represent the extreme types. Fig. 2 is taken from an intermediate head with singularly stout horns, each of them measuring 17 inches in circumference at the base, whilst the much longer horns of figs. 1 and 3 have the circumference respectively of only 15^ and 16 inches. It is unnecessary to point out that these heads completely bridge the interval between the two forms O. poli and O. karelini so far as the curve of the horns is concerned. The other distinctive characters to which importance was attached by Severtzoff are the following, so far as I can make out the distinctions from the translation of his work. 1. In O. poli the horns are pressed in from the sides, especially the orbital surface2. In O. karelini the orbital surface is flat, the frontal 1 The extremes are, in O. karelini 100 :67 and 100: 79, in O. poli 100: 79 and 100 : 101 ; but none of tbe specimens of O. karelini bad horns exceeding 48^ inches in lengtb, and it appears to be evident that, as a rule, the greatest propor2 tFionra lm edainvierngge nocfe t hises seh toewrnm sb,y s yeeo uPn.g Ze.r Sa.n i1m8a7l5s,. p. 511. |
