400 



the bones of eleven species : a rhinoceros, two hippopotamuses, two tapirs, 

 an elephant, and five mastodons. 



" All these eleven species are at the present day absolutely strangers to 

 the climates in which their bones are thus found. 



" The five mastodons only can be considered as forming a genus distinct 

 and unknown, but near to that of the elephant. 



" All the others belong to genera at present still existing in the torrid 

 zone. Three of these genera are only found in the ancient continent r 

 the rhinoceros, the hippopotamus, and the elephant : the genus tapir exists 

 only in the new. 



" These species, belonging to known genera, sensibly differ, never- 

 theless, from the known species, and ought to be considered as parti-, 

 cular species, and not as mere varieties. 



" This cannot be liable to the least contest, as to the small Hippopotamus' 

 and the gigantic tapir. 



" It is also very certain, as to the fossil rhinoceros. As to the elephant and 

 fossil tapir, it is less evident ; there are, however, more than sufficient 

 reasons to convince the experienced anatomist. 



" Lastly, the large hippopotamus is the only one of the eleven fossil qua- 

 drupeds, of which there are not pieces sufficient to enable us to say po- 

 sitively whether it differs or not from that which now exists. 



" Of the eleven species, one only, the great mastodon (mammoth) had 

 been known before my labours, as a lost animal : two others, the rhi- 

 noceros and elephant, had been well ascertained as to their genera; but I 

 am the first who gave, with exactness, their specific differences: seven, 

 the small hippopotamus^ the two tapirs, and the four smallest sized masto- 

 dons, were entirely unknown before my researches : lastly, the eleventh, 

 the great hippopotamus, which remains as yet the subject of some doubts." 



When you add to these the eight pachydermata found by this accurate 

 investigator in the gypsum quarries, you will doubtlessly rejoice with me, 

 that such industry and well applied perseverance should have been re- 

 warded with so much success. 



