OF CREATION. 



295 



of fishes, all of which are extinct. The figure annexed 

 (131) represents an interesting chelonian animal from 

 this district. 



Fig. 131 



OENINGEN FRESH-WATER TORTOISE. 



Of the quadrupeds of this middle period, the Dino- 

 therium* is in some respects the most remarkable, 

 not only in point of size, but in its relation to the 

 anoplotheroid animals of the older beds on the one 

 hand, and to the elephantine animals of more recent 

 times on the other. The remains of this monster are 

 nowhere common, but have been found both in the 

 Middle Rhine valley (between Mayence and Bale), 

 and also in the valleys of the Jura chain. 



It dwelt, probably, in swamps. Its length was 

 nearly twenty feet ; its body, huge and barrel-shaped, 

 very much resembling that of the hippopotamus, be- 

 ing little raised above the ground, although the huge 

 columns which formed its legs are supposed to have 

 been nearly ten feet in length. Its head, rarely, 



* Aavo (deinos}, fearfully large ; Brjptov (^m'cm), a beast. 



