834 



GEOLOGICAL SUCCESSION OF ANIMALS. 



Fiff. 167. 



of a very peculiar type of animals, aim ds«, 

 unknown to the former ages, as well as to 

 the present period. They are little cham- 

 bered shells, known to geologists under the 

 name of Nummulites^ from their coin-like ap- 

 pearance, and form very extensive layers of 

 rocks, (Fig. 167.) 



490. But what is more important in a philosophical point 

 of view is, that aquatic animals are no longer predominant 

 in Creation. The great marine or amphibian reptiles give 

 place to numerous mammals of great size ; for which rea- 

 son, we have called this age the Reign of Mammals. Here 

 are also found the first distinct remains of fresh-v/ater 

 animals. 



491. The lower stage of this formation is particularly 

 characterized by great Pachyderms, among which we may 

 mention the Palcotherium and Anoplofherhwi^ which have 

 acquired such celebrity from the researches of Cuvier. 

 These animals, among others, abound in the Tertiary forma- 

 tions of the neighborhood of Paris. The Paleotheriums, of 



Fig. 168. Fig. 169. 



which several species are known, are the most common ; 

 they resemble, (Fig. 168,) in some respects, the Tapirs^ 

 \vhile the Anoplotheriums are more slender animals, (Fig. 

 169.) On this continent are found the remains of a most 

 extraordinary animal of gigantic size, the Basilosaurus, a 

 true cetacean. Finally, in these stages, the earliest remains 

 of Monkeys have bo.^n detected. 



