THE INSECT EATERS. 259 
are but the last survivors of a group of Pseudo-hoofed 
animals, which was once rich in forms, is proved not only 
by the very numerous fossil species of Elephants and Masto- 
don (some of which are even larger, others also much 
smaller than the Elephants of the present day), but also by 
the remarkable miocene Dinotherva (Gonyognatha), between 
which and their next kindred, the Elephants, there must be 
a long series of unknown connecting intermediate forms. 
Taking all things into consideration, the most probable 
hypothesis which can be established at present as to the - 
origin and the relationship of Elephants, Dinotheria, Toxodon, 
and Hyrax is, that they are the last survivors of a group 
of Pseudo-hoofed animals rich in forms, which developed 
out of the Rodentia, and probably out of relatives of the 
Subungulata. 
The order of Insect Eaters (Insectivora) is a very ancient 
group, and is next akin to the common extinct primary 
form of the Deciduata, as well as to the Semi-apes of the 
present day. It has probably developed out of Semi-apes 
which were closely allied to the Long-footed Lemurs (Macro- 
tarsi) of the present day. It is separated into two orders, 
Menotyphla and Lipotyphla; the Menotyphla are probably 
the older of the two, and are distinguished from the Lipo- 
typhla by possessing an intestinal ccecum, or typhlon. The 
Menotyphla include the climbing Tupajas of the Sunda Isles, 
and the leaping Macroscelides of Africa. The Lipotyphla are 
represented in our country by shrew mice, moles, and hedge- 
hogs. The Insectivora, in the formation of their jaws and 
their mode of life, are nearly akin to Carnivora, but are, 
on the other hand, by their discoplacentas and by their 
jarge seminal vesicles, allied to Rodents. 
