CHAP. XL] 



THE ETHIOPIAN REGION. 



273 



mammals are represented on the continent of Africa, only 11 of 

 which occur in Madagascar, which also possesses 3 families 

 peculiar to itself. The following is a list of all the genera of 

 Mammalia as yet known to inhabit the island : — 



We have here a total of 12 families, 27 genera, and 65 species 

 of Mammals ; 3 of the families and 20 of the genera (indicated 

 by italics) being peculiar. All the species are peculiar, except 

 perhaps one or two of the wandering bats. Remains of a Hip- 

 popotamus have been found in a sub-fossil condition, showing 

 that this animal probably inhabited the island at a not very 

 remote epoch. 



The assemblage of animals above noted is remarkable, and 

 seems to indicate a very ancient connection with the southern por- 

 tion of Africa, before the apes, ungulates, and felines had entered 

 it. The lemurs, which are here so largely developed, are repre- 



