236 GEOGRAPHICAL ZOOLOGY. [part iv. 



Extinct Scmridce. — These are tolerably abundant. The genus 

 Sciiu'iis appears to be a remarkably ancient form, extinct species 

 being found in the Pliocene, and even in the Upper Eocene 

 formations of Europe. SpcrmopMlus goes back to the Upper 

 Miocene ; Ardomys to the Newer Pliocene. Extinct genera are, 

 Brachymys, LWwviys and Plesiarctomys, from the European 

 Miocene, the latter said to be intermediate between marmots 

 and squirrels. 



In North America, Sciuriis, Tamias, and Ardomys occur in the 

 Post-pliocene deposits only. The extinct genera are Ischyromys, 

 from the Upper Miocene of Nebraska ; Par amy s, allied to the 

 marmots, and Scmravus, near the squuTcls, from the Eocene of 

 "Wyoming. 



Here we have unmistakable evidence that the true squirrels 

 (Sciurus) are an Old World type, which has only recently entered 

 North America ; and this is in accordance with the comparative 

 scarcity of this group in South America, a country so well 

 adapted to them, and their great abundance in the Oriental 

 region, which, with the Palsearctic, was probably the coun- 

 try of their origin and early development. The family, how- 

 ever, has been traced equally far back in Europe and North 

 America, so that we have as yet no means of determining where 

 it originated. 



Family 62.— HAPLOODONTID^.— (1 Genus, 2 Species.) 

 General Distribution. 



Neotropical 



Neabctic 



Pal^arctic 



Ethiopian i Oriental 



8rB-REOIONS. SUB-BEGIONS. SUB-IIEGIONS. SUB-BKOIONS. SUB-REOIONS. SUB-REGIONS. 



Australian 



The genus ffaploodon or Aplodontia, consists of two curious 

 rat-like animals, inhabiting the west coast of America, from the 

 southern part of British Columbia to the mountains of Califor- 

 nia. They seem to have affinities both with the beavers and 

 marmots, and Professor Lilljeborg constitutes a separate family 

 to receive them. 



