The geographical distribution of animals, with a study of the relations ...
The geographical distribution of animals, with a study of the relations ... The geographical distribution of animals, with a study of the relations ...
128 DISTRIBUTION OF EXTINCT ANIMALS. [part iiLemurs and Marsupials— proves,that we have here hardly madean approach towards the epoch when the mammalian type itselfbegan to diverge into its various modifications. Some of theCarnivora and Ungulates do, indeed, exhibit a less specialisedstructure than later forms; yet so far back as the UpperMiocene the most specialised of all carnivora, the great sabretoothedMachairodus, makes itsappearance.The Miocene is, for our special study, the most valuable andinstructive of the Tertiary periods, both on account of itssuperior richness, and because we here meet with many typesnow confined to separate regions. Such facts as the occurrencein Europe during this period of hippopotami, tapirs, giraffes,Tragulida?, Edentata, and Marsupials— will assist us in solvingmany of the problems we shall meet with in reviewing theactual distribution of living forms of those groups. Still morelight will, however, be thrown on the subject by the fossil formsof the American continent, which we will now proceed toexamine.
CHAPTEE VII.EXTINCT MAMMALIA OF THE NEW WORLD.The discoveries of very richdeposits of mammalian remains invarious parts of the United States have thrown great light onthe relations of the faunas of verv distant regions. NorthAmerica now makes a near approach to Europe in the numberand variety of itsextinct mammalia, and in no part of the worldhave such perfect specimens been discovered.In what are calledthe " Mauvaises terres " of Nebraska (the dried-up mud of anancient lake), thousands of entire crania and some almost entireskeletons of ancient animals have been found, their teeth absolutelyperfect, and altogether more resembling the preparationsof the anatomist, than time-worn fossils such as we are accustomedto see in the museums of Europe. Other deposits havebeen discovered in Oregon, California, Virginia, South Carolina,Texas, and Utah, ranging over all the Tertiary epochs, fromPost-Pliocene to Eocene, and furnishing a remarkable pictureof the numerous strange mammalia which inhabited the ancientNorth American continent.North America— Post-Pliocene Period.Insedivora.—The only indications of this order yet discovered,consists of a single tooth of some insectivorous animal foundin Illinois, but which cannot be referred to any known group.Carnivora.—These are fairly represented. Two species ofFelis as large as a lion ; the equally large extinct Trucifelis,found only in Texas ; four species of Canis, some of them larger
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128 DISTRIBUTION OF EXTINCT ANIMALS. [part iiLemurs and Marsupials— proves,that we have here hardly madean approach towards <strong>the</strong> epoch when <strong>the</strong> mammalian type itselfbegan to diverge into its various modifications. Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Carnivora and Ungulates do, indeed, exhibit a less specialisedstructure than later forms; yet so far back as <strong>the</strong> UpperMiocene <strong>the</strong> most specialised <strong>of</strong> all carnivora, <strong>the</strong> great sabretoo<strong>the</strong>dMachairodus, makes itsappearance.<strong>The</strong> Miocene is, for our special <strong>study</strong>, <strong>the</strong> most valuable andinstructive <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tertiary periods, both on account <strong>of</strong> itssuperior richness, and because we here meet <strong>with</strong> many typesnow confined to separate regions. Such facts as <strong>the</strong> occurrencein Europe during this period <strong>of</strong> hippopotami, tapirs, giraffes,Tragulida?, Edentata, and Marsupials— will assist us in solvingmany <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> problems we shall meet <strong>with</strong> in reviewing <strong>the</strong>actual <strong>distribution</strong> <strong>of</strong> living forms <strong>of</strong> those groups. Still morelight will, however, be thrown on <strong>the</strong> subject by <strong>the</strong> fossil forms<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American continent, which we will now proceed toexamine.
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