220 



GEOGRAPHICAL ZOOLOGY. 



[PART iv. 



(1 species) inhabits China from the Yang-tse Kiang northwards. 

 This new genus has recently been discovered by Mr. Swinhoe, 

 who says its nearest affinities are with Moschus. Other new 

 forms are ophotragus, and Elaplwdus, both inhabiting North 

 China ; the former is hornless, the latter has very small horns 

 about an inch long. 



Extinct Deer. Numerous extinct species of the genus Cervus 

 are found fossil in many parts of Europe, and in all formations 

 between the Post-pliocene and the Upper Miocene. The Elk 

 and Eeindeer are also found in caves and Post-pliocene deposits, 

 the latter as far south as the South of France. Extinct genera 

 only, occur in the Upper Miocene in various parts of Europe : 

 Micromeryx, Palceomeryx, and Dicrocer^us have been described ; 

 with others referred doubtfully to Moschus, and an allied genus 

 Amphimoschus. 



In N. America, remains of this family are very scarce, a Cer- 

 vus allied to the existing wapiti deer, being found in Post-plio- 

 cene deposits, and an extinct genus, Leptomeryx, in the Upper 

 Miocene of Dakota and Oregon. Another extinct genus, Mery- 

 codus, from the Pliocene of Oregon, is said to be allied to camels 

 and deer. 



In South America, several species of Cervus have been found 

 in the Brazilian caves, and in the Pliocene deposits of La 

 Plata. 



It thus appears, that there are not yet sufficient materials for 

 determining the origin and migrations of the Cervidse. There 

 can be little doubt that they are an Old World group, and a com- 

 paratively recent development ; and that some time during the 

 Miocene period they passed to North America, and subsequently 

 to the Southern continent. They do not however appear to have 

 developed much in North America, owing perhaps to their find- 

 ing the country already amply stocked with numerous forms 

 of indigenous Ungulates. 



