SOME AMERICAN MONSTERS. 149 



Gypseous series of INIontmartre, revealed the existence of a very 

 extensive fauna, especially of new types of mammals ; and his 

 restoration of the Palccotherium, a tapir-like animal, and other 

 forms, created a vast amount of interest, and greatly stimulated 

 the study of extinct animals. As we have already remarked, the 

 science of palaeontology may be said to have been founded by 

 Cuvier (see Introduction, p. 5). 



But now the scene shifts once more from Europe to the wilds 

 of the Far West. American geologists tell us that a long time 

 ago (during the Eocene period) there was a great tropical lake in 

 the Wyoming territory, on the borders of which roamed, amidst 

 luxuriant vegetation, a large number of strange and primitive 

 quadrupeds, together with many other forms of life. The most 

 wonderful group of animals that haunted the shores of this lake, 

 or series of lakes, was the Dinocerata so fully described by 

 Professor Marsh, in his exhaustive monograph.^ The name 

 implies that they were terrible horned monsters, but whether 

 Nature provided them with true horns, like those of horned 

 cattle to-day, is at least open to doubt. 



Fig. 42 shows the skeleton of one of these, namely, Tinoceras 

 ingens. Its length was about 12 feet without the tail. Its 

 weight, when alive, is calculated to have been six thousand 

 pounds, or about two tons and three quarters. 



Plate XIV. is a restoration of the Tinoceras, made by our artist, 

 after much consideration and careful study of the valuable cast 

 exhibited in the Natural Histor}' Museum at South Kensington, 

 which was generously presented by Professor Marsh (Gallery I. 

 Case MM on plan). In planning this and other restorations, both 

 artist and author have received valuable assistance from Dr. Kenry 

 Woodward, F.R.S., Keeper of the Geological Department of the 

 Museum, who is ever ready to help with his great knowledge 

 those who come to consult him. 



* The Dinocerata, a monograph by O. C. Marsh, United States Geological 

 Sitfvey, vol. x. 



