protoceras

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. An extinct ruminant mammal belonging to the even-toed or artiodactyl division of the Ungulata. It is characterized by the presence of greatly developed bony protuberances from various parts of the skull in the male. The most prominent of these arise from the maxillæ, frontals, and parietals. All are faintly indicated in the skull of the female. The forefeet are tetradactyl and the hind feet functionally didactyl. Remains of these animals occur in the upper levels of the White River Oligocene (the so-called Protoceras beds) of North America.