Ru-mi-nan'shi-a. L. fr. ruminan(t)s, ruminating, chewing the cud. All animals of this family (bos, camel, deer, neat cattle, sheep, etc.) are hoofed quadrupeds, cloven-footed, even-toed, with 4 stomachs, or 1 with 4 divisions. Food being slightly masticated goes to No. 1 stomach, where it is ground finer; now passes to No. 2, where it is formed into balls, which are returned to the mouth and chewed again, constituting the cud; thence the food passes to Nos. 3 and 4 stomachs, where it is digested and assimilated.

Genus: 1. Moschus. 2. Ovis. 3. Bos.