EARLIER PLIOCENE EPOCH 179 



and, excepting some hartebeests which did not proceed 

 further than Arabia, wandered away into Africa. 



Chevrotains had by this time become almost extinct CHEVROTAINS 

 in Europe and North America, but in India many of these 

 hornless deer-like animals were haunting the jungles (Tra- 

 gulus). Owing to their small size, and defenceless condition, 

 they were probably of shy habits, keeping, like their living 

 descendants, in strict retirement during the daytime. Certain 

 species closely allied to water-chevrotains were also on the 

 scene ; but these were not destined for a prolonged career in 

 any part of Asia (Dorcatherium). 



Some early ancestral species of deer, which had become DEER 

 extinct in Europe in the last Period, were still living in 

 parts of India ; but they were now fast drawing to their 

 end (Pal&omeryx). Small antlerless creatures were numerous, 

 and some of these were probably the immediate ancestors of 

 musk-deer (Moschus) ; whilst other forms, adorned with 

 antlers, were closely allied to the living Swamp deer (C. 

 sivalensis). Deer do not appear at any time to have found 

 their way to the continent of Africa. 



Ape-life comes out more distinctly than in Europe. PRIMATES 

 " Holy " apes were carrying on their pranks in the woods ; 

 and macaques, more or less obscured in the West by strong 

 affinities with the " holies," were here of no doubtful identity 

 (Macacus). Baboons, by the suppression of features which 

 had closely connected their forerunners with man-like apes, 

 had also gained an individuality (Papio). Chimpanzees 

 were no longer in dubious condition by reason of gorilla 

 characteristics (Anthropopithecus) ; and forms closely allied 

 to gorillas were now in view (Sirapitkecus). Well-developed 

 orangs were also abroad, and of more cheerful countenance, 

 it is to be hoped, than their descendants of to-day (Simid). 



Here and there, in more open country, small parties OSTRICHES 

 of ostriches were to be seen their first known appearance in 

 life (Struthio). To judge, however, by primitive features 

 in its anatomy, the " camel-bird " may well have strode the 

 earth long before Pliocene times. 



Animals coming down to slake their thirst at lakes and CROCODILES 

 rivers had need of caution, for crocodiles, long-snouted, 



