126 



THE AGE OF MAMMALS 



as Lemuroidea, but are now transferred to the Insectivora on skeletal char- 

 acters. There are other small forms (Diacodon, Didelphodus) which are 

 of uncertain affinity. Preying upon these insectivorous and herbivorous 

 forms are members of five families of the carnivorous Creodonta, including 



rig. 40. ' Luwor Eocfiic liKht-limbud coud.Nlartlis, or phciiacoduuts, shuwing archcil luick 

 and Ion? tail. Above : The skeleton of Phenacodus primaedus (Cope's famous type) . Below : 

 Restoration by Charles R. Knight. Both in the American Museum of Natural History. 



specialized Arctocyonidae with flattened tubercular teeth (Anacodon) , which 

 make their last appearance. The giant carnivores or omnivores of the period 

 are the mesonychids of the genus Pachyoena, descended from the Torre j on 

 Dissacus, with blunt, rounded cusps adapted to devouring decaying flebh. 

 In wide contrast are the palseonictids (or oxyaenids) represented by Palw- 



