The geographical distribution of animals, with a study of the relations ...

chap, vi.] MAMMALIA OF THE OLD WORLD. 115vast number of remains of extinct mammalia, as to solve manyzoological problems, and to throw great light on the early distributionand centres of dispersal of various groups of animals.order to show the bearing of these remains on our special subject,we will first give an account of the extinct fauna of Greece,of the Upper Miocene period ;Insince this, being nearest to Africaand Asia, best exhibits the relations of the old European faunato those countries. We shall then pass to the Miocene fauna ofFrance and Central Europe ;and conclude with the remarkableSiwalik and other Indian extinct faunas, which throw an additionallight on the early history of the animal lifeold-world continents.Extinct Animals of Greece.of the greatThese are from the Upper Miocene deposits at Pikermi, nearAthens, and were collected by M. Gaudry a few years ago.They comprise ten living and eighteen extinct genera of mammalia,with a few birds and reptiles.Primates.—These are represented by Mcsopithecus, a genusbelieved to be intermediate between themonkeys, Semnopithecus and Macacus.two Indian genera ofCamivora.—These were abundant. Of Fclis there were fourspecies, ranging from the size of a cat to that of a jaguar, a largehycena, and a large weasel (Mustcla). Besides these there werethe huge Machairodus, larger than any existing lion or tiger, andwith enormously developed canine teeth ;extinct forms of Hysenidae ;genus of Viverridse but with resemblances toHymnictis and Lycarna,Thalassictis=Ictitlicrium, an extinctthe hyaenas, representedby three species, some of which were larger than anyexisting Viverridse ;Promephytis, an extinct form of Mustelidae,having resemblances to the European marten, to the otters, andto the S. African Zorilla ;carnivore of the size of a small panther,of a cat, the molars of a dog, and the jawsa bear.and lastly, Simocyon, an extraordinarybut having the caninesshaped like those ofUngulata.—These are numerous and very interesting. TheEquidse are represented by the three-toed Hipparion, which con-