COLLECTIONS FROM THE FAYUM 13 
nose besides a pair of small ones directly over the eyes. A nearly com- 
plete skull of a young individual of this animal was secured, together 
with parts of many other skulls. Nearly all other parts of the skeleton 
are represented, too. 
The most interesting part of the collection is the series of specimens 
illustrating the early stages in the evolution of the Proboscideans (Masto- 
dons and Elephants). ‘The later stages in the evolution of these animals 
are well represented in the fossils of both Europe and North America, 
and the American Museum has a fine series of skulls of these forms. 
SEARCHING FOR FOSSILS IN THE PRODUCTIVE BED. 
Six or eight feet of unfossiliferous sand has previously been removed from 
above the bone-bearing layer. 
The earlier stages were unknown, however, before the discovery of this 
Eocene fauna of Egypt showed that the Elephants were of African 
origin and spread from there over both the Olid and the New World. 
Two genera have been described from the Faytm fossils: Marithium, 
the smailer and more primitive, had probably but little resemblance to 
the modern Elephant, but Palwomastodon was of larger size and had 
already begun to develop a trunk and other peculiarities of the Pro- 
boscideans. Fine skulls and parts of the skeletons of both these genera 
