MAMMALIA. 421 



The extinct animals of this tribe afford another example of 

 the manner in which the historian and the naturalist may at 

 times assist each other's researches. The Romans, when they 

 first penetrated the wilds and forests of uncivilized Europe, 

 discovered two kinds of gigantic oxen. That which they 

 distinguished by its shaggy coat and mane, may be recognised 

 in the still untamed Aurochs of Lithuania. The other is 

 described by Csesar as being "not much inferior to the Ele- 

 phant in size, and though resembling the common Bull in 

 colour, form, and general aspect, yet as differing from all the 

 domestic cattle in its gigantic size, and especially in the 

 superior expanse and strength of its horns/'* 



Remains of both these speciest have been found in England 

 in the same deposits and localities ; and it is most satisfactory, 

 as Professor Owen remarks, "to find such proof of the general 

 accuracy of the brief but interesting indications of the primitive 

 mammalian fauna of those regions of Europe, which may be 

 supposed to have presented to the Roman cohorts the same 

 aspect as America did to the first colonists of New England." 



PACHYDERMATA. THICK-SKINNED ANIMALS. 



' Beside him stalks to battle, 



The huge earth-shaking beast 

 The beast on whom the castle 



With all its guards doth stand ; 

 The beast who hath between his eyes 

 The serpent for a hand." 



MACAULAY'S LAYS OF ANCIENT ROME.J 



THE animals of the present order are, in their general habits, 

 herbivorous. One of their most obvious characteristics is the 



* Owen's Fossil Mammalia. 



f A third species of smaller size has been found in England (vide Owen, 

 p. 508), it has also occurred in Ireland. R. Ball, " Proceedings of the 

 Royal Irish Academy," January, 1839. 



J The author states in a note that Angmmanu, or snake-handed, is the 

 old Latin name for an Elephant. Lucretius ii. 538, v. 1302. 

 VOL. ir. K 2 



