208 ILLINOIS NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY MANUAL 4 



MAMMUTHUS JEFFERSONI (Osborn) and 

 MAMMUTHUS PRIMIGENIUS (Blumenbach) 



Mammoth 



These mammoths, fig. 114, were similar to but larger than 

 present-day elephants. They stood approximately 11 feet high 

 and had huge tusks, as long as 16 feet, bowed outward in the 

 middle and curved inward at the tips. Their woolly fur, pro- 

 tected by long guard hairs, equipped them to withstand cold 

 weather, and it is probable that they were in the Illinois region 

 during periods of glaciation. Since their teeth, fig. 112, are so 

 similar to those of present-day elephants, it is assumed that their 

 food habits were much the same. Remains of two species of 

 mammoths have been taken at scattered localities in Illinois. 



EQUUS sp. 



Horse 



A few remains of a horse that was apparently somewhat like 

 our present-day horse have been found in Illinois. Teeth of this 

 prehistoric horse resemble those of our present-day horse, fig. 

 109c, but they can be distinguished by experts. 



PLATYGONUS COMPRESSUS Le Conte 



Peccary 



The remains of a piglike animal, known as a peccary, have 

 been taken near Galena and Alton, Illinois. The nearest rela- 

 tives of this animal now live in southwestern United States and 

 Mexico. 



SYMBOS CAVIFRONS (Leidy) 

 Musk-Ox 



During glacial periods the musk-ox occurred in what is now 

 Illinois, and as far southward as Arkansas. Closely related 

 musk-oxen are presently known from the barren Arctic of 

 North America. The extinct musk-ox undoubtedly had long, 

 shaggy fur, as do the living kinds. The horns were united over 

 the head and extended downward before curving outward. 

 There are very few records of this species in Illinois. 



( 



