OF CREATION. 319 



the fossil animal can be separated from that species. 

 The aurochs is distinguished from the domestic breeds 

 by a thicker clothing of hair, and the development 

 of a curly felted mane at the fore part of the body; 

 and it appears to have inhabited northern Europe in 

 company with the other species at the time of the 

 Roman Empire. 



It is interesting to find, from the descriptions of 

 Caesar, that a gigantic aboriginal wild ox (the Urus) 

 was known in his time, which was not much infe- 

 rior to the elephant in size, and which differed from 

 the domestic cattle, not only in its superior dimensions 

 generally, but also in the greater expanse and strength 

 of its horns. Numerous remains of this animal found 

 fossil prove it to have been a contemporary of the 

 elephant, the rhinoceros, the hippopotamus, and the 

 cavern carnivora, at the period immediately pre- 

 ceding the present condition of things. It is most 

 likely that the species has now become absolutely 

 extinct, and that the domestic cattle are rather the 

 descendants of those introduced tame by the Romans, 

 than the degenerate produce of the other more gi- 

 gantic species. 



TJie small Irish ox is remarkable for the flatness 

 of its forehead and its short and small horns, and 

 may possibly have been the original parent of the 

 mountain breeds of the Highlands and of Wales. Its 

 remains have been found in the gravel, associated with 

 those of the elephant. 



The cervine animals inhabiting England and north- 

 ern Europe during the last geological period were com- 

 paratively numerous in respect of species, and they 

 include many interesting forms. Among the most 



