234 



GEOLOGICAL SUCCESSION OF ANIMALS. 



Fig. 167. 



remains of a very peculiar type of animals, almost 

 unknown to the former ages, as well as to 

 the present period. They are little cham- 

 bered shells, known to geologists under the 

 name of Nummulites, from their coin-like ap- 

 pearance, and form very extensive layers of 

 rocks, (Fig. 167.) 



490. But what is more important in a philosophical point 

 of view is, that aquatic animals are no longer predominant 

 in Creation. The great marine or amphibian reptiles give 

 place to numerous mammals of great size ; for which rea- 

 son, we have called this age the Reign of Mammals. Here 

 are also found the first distinct remains of fresh-water 

 animals. 



491. The lower stage of this formation is particularly 

 characterized by great Pachyderms, among which we may 

 mention the Paleotlierium and Anoplotherium, which have 

 acquired such celebrity from the researches of Cuvier. 

 These animals, among others, abound in the Tertiary forma- 

 tions of the neighborhood of Paris. The Paleotheriums, of 



Fig. 168. Fig. 169. 



which several species are known, are the most common ; 

 they resemble, (Fig. 168,) in some respects, the Tapirs, 

 while the Anoplotheriums are more slender animals, (Fig. 

 169.) On this continent are found the remains of a most 

 extraordinary animal of gigantic size, the Basilosanrus, a 

 true cetacean. Finally, in these stages, the earliest remains 

 of Monkeys have been detected. 



