MAMMALIA OP EOCENE PERIOD. 71 



The nearest approach among living animals to the form 

 of these extinct aquatic quadrupeds, is found in the Tapirs 

 that inhabit the warm regions of South America, Malacca, 

 and Sumatara, and in the Daman of Africa. 



It is not easy to find a more eloquent and striking acknow- 

 ledgment of the regularity and constancy of the systematic 

 contrivances that pervade the animal remains of the fossil 

 world, than is contained in Cuviei-'s Introduction to his ac- 

 count of the bones discovered in the gypsum quarries of the 

 neighbourhood of Paris. It affords to persons unacquainted 

 with the modern method of conducting physical researches, 

 an example of the kind of evidence on which we found our 

 conclusions, as to the form, character, and habits of extinct 

 creatures that are known only through the medium of their 



The posterior molar teeth in the genus Anopiothcrium resemble those of 

 the rhinoceros; their feet are terminated by two large toes, like the rumi- 

 nating animals, whilst the composition of their tarsus is like that of the 

 camel. The place of this genus stands, in one respect, between the rhino- 

 ceros and the horse ; and in another, between the hippopotamus, the liog, and 

 the camel. 



Lophiodon. 



The Lophiodon is another lost genus, allied most nearly to the tapir and 

 rhinoceros, and, in some respects, to the hippopotamus, and connected closely 

 with the Palseotherium and Anopiothcrium. Fifteen species of Lophiodon 

 have been ascertained. 



Anthracotherium. 



The genius Anthracotherium was so called from its having been first dis- 

 covered in the Tertiary coal, or Lignite of Cadibona in Liguria : it presents 

 seven species, some of them approximating to the size and character of the 

 hog; others approaching nearly to that of the hippopotamus. 



Cheropotamus. 

 The Cheropotamus was an animal most nearly allied to tlic hoo-s; in 

 some respects approaching the Babiroussa, and forming- a link between the 

 Anopiothcrium and the Peccary. 



Adapis, 

 The last of the extinct Pachydermata found in the gypsum quarries of 

 Montmartre, is the Adapis. Tiie form of this creature most nearly re- 

 sembled that of a hedgehog, but it was three times the size of that animal : 

 it seems to have formed a link connecting the Pachydermata with the In- 

 sectivorous Caniivora. 



