chat, vi.] MAMMALIA OF THE OLD WORLD. 113 



A more interesting fact for us is the occurrence of the genus 

 Tapirus in the Newer Pliocene of France and in the older beds 

 of both France and England, since this genus is now isolated 

 in the remotest parts of the eastern and western tropics. The 

 genera Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, and Sus, occur here as in the 

 preceding epoch. 



We next come to the deer genus {Cervus), which appears to 

 have been at its maximum in this period, no less than eight 

 species occurring in the Norwich Crag, and Forest-beds. Among 

 the Bovidae, the antelopes, ox, and bison, are the only forms repre- 

 sented here, as in the Post- Pliocene period. Passing on to the 

 Proboscidea, we find three species of elephants and two of Mas- 

 todon preserved in European beds of this period, all distinct from 

 those of Post-Pliocene times. 



Rodentia. — In this order we find representatives of many 

 living European forms ; as Cricetus (hamster), Arvicola (vole), 

 Castor (beaver), Arctomys (marmot), Hystrix (porcupine), 

 Lepus (hare), and Lagomys (pika) ; and a few that are extinct, 

 the most important being Chalicomys, allied to the beaver ; 

 and Issiodromys, said to come nearest to the remarkable 

 Pedetes of South Africa, both found in the Pliocene formations 

 of France. 



General Conclusions as to Pliocene and Post-Pliocene Faunas of 

 Europe. — This completes the series of fossil forms of the Pliocene 

 deposits of Europe. They show us that the presence of numer- 

 ous large carnivora and ungulates (now almost wholly tropical) in 

 the Post- Pliocene period, was due to no exceptional or temporary 

 cause, but was the result of a natural succession from similar 

 races which had inhabited the same countries for long preceding 

 ages. In order to understand the vast periods of time covered 

 bv the Pliocene and Post-Pliocene formations, the works of Sir 

 Charles Lyell must be studied. We shall then come to see, that 

 the present condition of the fauna of Europe is wholly new and 

 exceptional. For a long succession of ages, various* forms of 

 monkeys, hyaenas, lions, horses, hipparions, tapirs, rhinoceroses, 

 hippopotami, elephants, mastodons, deer, and antelopes, together 



