91 
Geological Society. 
been found on the continent as far south as Naples and as far north 
as Hamburg, but not in Scandinavia. Its remains, as is well known, 
abound in Siberia, and it ranged over North America from Esch- 
scholtz Eay to the Isthmus of Darien, E. columbi , E. americanus , and 
E. Jacksoni being only varieties. The author then discussed the rela¬ 
tions of E. primigenius to E. columbi , E. armeniacus, and E. indicus, 
and came to the conclusion that it was the ancestor of the last. 
2. “ The Mammoth in Siberia.” By H. H. Howorth, Esq., F.S.A. 
Communicated by J. Evans, Esq., LL.D., F.R.S., V.P.G.S. 
The author gave reasons for considering that the “griffon's claw” 
sent by Haruu-al-llashed to Charlemagne was the horn of a fossil 
Ithinoceros, so that the extinct mammals coeval with the Mammoth 
were known in Europe at an early date. They were probably 
known even in the days of Herodotus. Other evidence, such as the 
Christy Collection, shows that the Siberian deposits were known at 
a very early time. There is evidence, too, to show that fossil ivory 
was known to the Chinese, who asserted that the animals were still 
living underground. The author described several cases of the dis¬ 
covery of well-preserved bodies of Mammoths in historic times. 
They have occurred in widely separated places, from the eastern 
watershed of the Obi to the peninsula of the Tschuksi. Bones also 
have been found over the whole length of Siberia, the Brai Islands, 
and the islands of New Siberia. 
The author further discussed the theories which account for their 
presence:—1. That the animals lived much further south, and were 
carried down by rivers to where they now lie; 2. That they lived 
on the spot. As there are physical difficulties in the way of the 
transport theory, as the Mammoth was covered with dense hair and 
fed on plants growing on the spot, and as the remains are not 
confined to the vicinity of rivers, it is probable that the second view 
is the correct one. 
There are, however, some points connected with it requiring 
further consideration. It being proved that the Mammoth only 
required a temperate climate, it must not be hastily assumed that it 
could endure that of Siberia. Where the Mammoths are now found 
the ground at 2 or 3 feet below the surface is permanently frozen 
all the year round, vegetation does not appear till June and is very 
poor and stunted, the summer is very short, the winter propor¬ 
tionately long, the temperature in January is as low as — G5° E., and 
no tree will now grow in the greater part of North Siberia. How 
then could Elephasprimigenius and lihinoceros tichorhinus obtain food 
on such ground? The only alternative seems to be, either to suppose 
a great migration N. and S., or a change of climate. The author is of 
opinion that in Siberia such a migration is not possible. It seems 
therefore more probable that the climate of Siberia has become 
more severe. The plants found in the fissures of the Ehinoceros- 
teeth are those now living in South Siberia. The plant-remains 
associated with the Mammoth (not floated from a distance, but of 
