CARNIVORA. 



447 



presented in strata of this age by four European and three 

 Indian species. In the Pliocene period, also, remains of 

 Mastodon are not infrequent ; 

 and in North America the great 

 M. Ohioticus occurs plentifully in 

 deposits of Post-Pliocene age. 



The last of the Probosridea is 

 the remarkable Miocene Mam- 

 mal known as the Deinotherium, 

 which is still referred by some 

 high authorities to the order 

 Sirenia. 



This extraordinary animal has 

 hitherto only been found in 

 Miocene deposits, and little is 

 known of it except its enormous 

 skull (fig. 365). Molars and 

 praemolars were present in each 

 jaw, and the upper jaw was des- 

 titute of canines and incisors, 

 very large tusk-like incisors, which were not directed forwards 

 as in the true Elephants, but were bent abruptly downwards 

 (fig. 365). The animal must have attained an enormous size, 

 and it is probable that the curved tusks were used either in 

 digging up roots or in mooring the animal to the banks of 

 rivers, for it was probably aquatic or semi-aquatic in its habits. 



Several species of Deinotherium have been indicated as 

 occurring in Europe, and a species has been noticed in the 

 Tertiary deposits of the Siwalik Hills by Dr Falconer and Sir 

 Proby Cautley. 



Fig. 



365. Skull of Deinotherium 

 giganteum. Miocene Tertiary. 



In the lower jaw were two 



CHAPTER XL. 



ORDERS OF MAMMALIA Continued. 

 CARNIVORA. 



ORDER IX. CARNIVORA. The ninth order of Mammals is that 

 of the Carnivora, comprising the Fera, or Beasts of Prey, along 

 with the old order of the Pinnipedia, or Seals and Walruses, 

 these latter being now universally regarded as merely a group 

 of the Carnivora modified to lead an aquatic life. 



