PLEISTOCENE PERIOD 207 



risen from earth glorified as mammals (Macropus 

 Phalanger-like animals, as large as big bears and sometimes 

 termed " pouched lions," were also about the scenes (Thy- 

 lacoleo). 



The prosperity of the vegetarians was naturally reflected 

 in the carnivores. Tasmanian "devils," or sarcophiles, were 

 abroad, much larger than their modern badger-sized repre- 

 sentatives (Sarcophilus). Pouched wolves prospered greatly 

 (Thylacinus) ; and to judge by their teeth the "pouched 

 h'ons," in addition to vegetables, indulged occasionally in 

 animal food (Thylacoled). 



The fauna was rendered additionally grotesque by the 

 presence of gigantic birds, wingless and small-skulled. Some 

 of these carried their diminutive heads twelve feet up in the 

 air (Moa, Dinornis). 



It might well be thought that by this time some of the 

 mammals would have developed into creatures of higher 

 grade. It must be concluded, therefore, that their remote 

 ancestors who invaded the land, and were then isolated by the 

 sea cutting off continental connections, were so far anatomi- 

 cally committed to marsupialism as to be inconvertible. It is, 

 however, interesting to note that the idea, if one may so 

 speak, worked out in the higher rank of mammals was more 

 or less expressed in Australia on the lower plane. An approach 

 to ungulates was evidenced in kangaroos, to rodents in 

 wombats, to insectivores and carnivores in " native cats " 

 and thylacines. And had marsupialism continued free to 

 develop, some pouched animals with resemblance to anthro- 

 poid apes, and even to human beings, might have appeared. 



These prospects, however, were probably at an end as soon 

 as man invaded the island-continent. When this event took 

 place is quite unknown. The first arrivals were probably 

 wandering hunters from New Guinea. Savages of low type 

 they may well have been according to modern ideas ; but in 

 order to reach Australia they must have known how to 

 construct rafts or canoes. Indeed, they must long have had 

 some seafaring knowledge, for without it New Guinea could 

 not have been reached. 



As to what race of men the invaders belonged opens up 



