EOCENE PERIOD 119 



creatures, living probably in densely wooded LEMURS 



t developing in the direction of lemurs. Some of 



s yet but little distinguishable from insectivores 



Indrodon, Protoadapis) ; whilst others seem to 



:lose affinities with the primitive flesh-eaters 



Before, the curtain rises on the first-known scene 

 vv dawn," there were not only new but highly 

 haracters on the stage forerunners of hoofed 

 .rnivores, edentates, insectivores, and " four- 

 aimals. The Orders were certainly not sharply 

 d from one another, but the evidence of progress 

 by deprived of its significance. It is clear that 

 ad been busily at work ; and one may well ask 

 3 remains of the " knuckle-jointed " and the 

 ed " animals have been found in North America ; 

 3 of the insectivores comes from Europe ; whilst 

 'e flesh-eaters and the lemur-like animals left 

 3n both continents. It does not, of course, follow 

 these animals originated in North America, or in 

 y traces of their immediate ancestors have been 

 her country ; and it is probable that they were 

 om other lands. Evolution had probably been 

 *t activity in parts of Asia and Africa ; and if 

 ;sing links in early mammal life be forthcoming, 

 bly be from the unexplored strata of one or other 

 tinents. Africa, it is thought, contains the more 

 ca. 



5, no doubt, continued to flourish ; but they MARSUPIALS 

 o play a subordinate part in mammal life, 

 ere apparently in some force in Europe during 

 and also in North America. In Australia, which 

 e times must have lost its mainland connections, 

 2 was no doubt undergoing special developments 

 ;e of animals of higher rank. 



riod advanced, the " knuckle- jointed " (Condyl- CONDYL- 

 j in evidence in some variety. One of the most ARTHRA 

 j forms is known as Phenacodus represented both 

 e and in North America. 



