16 



the Discoidans, the whole, circle of Monorlelphians be- 

 ing, at first, closely related to each other. 



The ZoNARiA]srs, so called because in this group the 

 placenta is in the form of a zone, include the Probos- 

 cidians, the Carnivores, and Hyracoidea. 



The elephant is the only living remnant of the ex- 

 tensive order Proboscidia, which nourished in the 

 Eocene, and which produced the U'lntotiierimns, Dino- 

 fherinms and Mastodons of the Past. This group is 

 closely connected with the ungulates, rising on a higher 

 plane from the whole stem of the Non-Decidua. The 

 Proboscidians are closely connected with Sirenia as 

 well as with the ungulates. 



Hyracoidea is represented at the present day only 

 by the conies of the East. It would not be wonderful 

 if some of the Eocene Mammals should be found to 

 belong here, as for instance, Hyracotherium and its 

 allies. 



Intermediately between the Proboscidia and Hyra- 

 coidea, proceeds the main stem of the Zonarians, the 

 Carnivora, with a full development of living species. 

 Its ascending plantigrade branch rises to meet mem- 

 bers of the Discoida, more especially those of the 

 Quadrumanous divisions, at the same time that it re- 

 calls the Edentate Vermilingitia^ and the Sloths. The 

 opposite branch of the Pinni pedes descends to recall 

 the old Zeiiglodonts of the Cetacea. The typical car- 

 nivores are undoubtedly to be found in the Cynoidea, of 

 which the Dogs are the central forms. These show 

 more tendency to vary under domestication than do 

 any other carnivores. A similar tendency is seen 

 amonij uno-ulates. 



