INTRODUCTION 5 



^_ (North America down to the Isthmus) TT XT . _ . 



of Tehuantepec . . . j V. Nearctic Region. 



z i 

 - c | 



2 j Europe, Africa north, of the Atlas, and) , TT „ , ,, „ . 



<; i X r . , A . ,- V I. rakmrchc Itimoii. 



. .Northern Asia ) u 



We will now take a brief survey of the principal 

 features of these six regions — as shown in the accompany- 

 ing chart (Plate I., p. 16) and their most characteristic 

 mammal-forms. 



1 . — Australian Region 



Extent. — Australia, New Guinea, and Moluccas up to 

 Wallace's line, New Zealand, and the numerous islands of 

 the Pacific. 



Characteristics. — Absence of nearly all Eutherian Mam- 

 mals, except a few Rodents and Bats; presence of six 

 distinct families of Marsupials with one hundred species, 

 and the only two known forms of Monotremes. 



2. — Neotropical Region 



Name. — veb<;, new, and Tpoin/cos, i.e., tropical land of the 

 New World. 



Extent. — America, south of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, 

 and the West Indies. 



Characteristics. — Monkeys of the peculiar families 

 ( '< b Ida and Hapalidse ; absence of Frugivorous Bats, and 

 presence of Vampires (Phyllostomatidw) ; abundance 

 of the Porcupine family; absence of Insectivores and 

 Civets, also of Elephants ; presence of Tapirs ; no Ru- 

 minants except Deer and Lamas; presence of Sloths, 

 Ant-eaters, and Armadilloes ; one family of Marsupials — 

 Opossums. 



