30 



OSBORN. 



VI. PLIOCENE OF EUROPE 



The mammalian faunal base of the PHocene is defined in its 

 northern facies by the Eppelsheim beds, in its southern facics by 

 the veiy rich Pikermi deposits — the differences being entirely ex- 

 plainable by climate and latitude. Lepsius, the chief authority 

 upon the geology of the Mayence Basin, holds (in opposition to 

 Schlosser) to the unmixed character of the P^ppelsheim fauna 

 and to their unquestionable Pliocene age. The early identifica- 

 tions of Eppelsheim rhinoceroses, etc., with those of Sansan by 

 Kaup and others were erroneous ; according to the writer's re- 

 cent observations they are very distinct. In both the German and 

 Greek beds as maintained also by Eymar, Blanford, Lapparent 

 and Schlosser the Pliocene age is unquestionable. 



A new t>'pe of horse Hipparion, with veiy complex teeth and 

 apparently a new comer to Europe, is common to both horizons, 

 so are certain rhinoceroses and Anc}'lopoda but among the rumi- 

 nants the hardy deer of Eppelsheim are replaced by antelopes 

 and giraffes in Pikermi. Thus fortunately the beginning of the 

 Pliocene is as sharply determinable by its mammalian fauna as 

 the beginning of the Miocene. 



In time and geographical history the Pliocene period extends 

 between the completion of the Alps and the establishment of 

 the main coast lines of modern Europe, the last touches to these 

 lines being given in the Pleistocene and establishing their modern 

 aspect. Marked throughout by continuous volcanic disturbances 

 the period included a prolonged land depression in southern 

 Europe and extensive invasions of the sea as shown in the fol- 

 lowing table : 



4. SiCILIEN. 



( Aknusien) 



3. ASTIEN. 



A marine phase in Sicily. 



Fresh water lacustrine deposits in the 

 Val d'Arno. Marine, brackish and 

 lacustrine deposits. 



Recession of the sea from southern 

 river valleys, followed by fluviatile and 

 lacustrine conditions (Sables jaunes 

 astiens). 



Mammalian fauna 

 of Val d\4riio sit- 

 pcrieiire. 



Mammalian 

 of Rotisillon. 



fauna 



