Chevrotains

Chevrotains, or MOUSE-DEER (Tragulidae), a family of small ungulates, intermediate between true deer and hogs. The family includes two genera, Tragulus and Hyomochilus, often confused with musk-deer, with which they have no special connection. As to characters it may be noted that they have no upper front teeth, but well-developed pointed canines, especially in the males; there are four complete toes on each foot; there are no horns nor musk-glands; the stomach has no distinct manyples, and thus only three chambers; the placenta is diffuse. Tragulus is represented by a number of small species from southern and south-eastern Asia, Malay Archipelago, &c.; T. javannicus is much eaten. Hyomachus is represented by a single species (H. aquaticus) from the west coast of Africa. It is rather larger and stouter than Tragulus, and has aquatic habits. The family dates from the Miocene period. See UNGULATES.