282 2% SECTION — VERTÉBRÉS (SYSTÉMATIQUE) 
Evolution of the horse. Recent discoveries and studies. 
By Prof. H. F. OSBORN (New-York). 
Exploration for the horse in America has been carried on for the last 
thirteen years by the American Museum of Natural History, and special 
explorations during the last three years have been devoted especially to 
the history of the horse. More or less complete remains of over 700 
extinct horses have been found, including the discovery of complete ske- 
letons of Mesohippus, Hypohippus, Neohipparion and Equus scotti. The 
history of the American Pliocene horses, and the direct ancestry of the 
modern horse (Æquus caballus) Still require more light. 
As elaborated in the author’s address on another page, the fact of chief 
importance brought out by these discoveries is that the horses were 
polyphyletic, there being four and perhaps five contemporary series in 
the Oligocene and again in the Miocene. Unfortunately the series leading 
directly to Æquus is not completely known ; the origin of Equus in North 
America, therefore, while highly probable, is not yet absolutely certain. 
Comparison of the existing species of horses, asses and zebras also 
tends to show that, like the dogs, these animals were polyphyletic, and 
took their origin very far back, probably in the Pliocene. 
The authors especially requests in exchange papers, notices and photo- 
graphs relating to recent and extinct horses, which should be addressed 
to the American Museum of Natural History, New-York. 
Ueber den phyletischen Verband der Spalax-Arten. 
Von Prof. L. von MÉHELY (Budapest). 
L'auteur n’a pas remis le manuscrit de sa communication. 
Entstehen und Bedeutung der Hauptfarbkleidmuster 
der Reptilien. 
Von Prof. G. TORNIER (Berlin). 
L'auteur n’a pas remis le manuscrit de sa communication. 
