144 DISTKIBUTION OF EXTINCT ANLMALS. [fart ii. 



immense lapse of time, probably some tliousands of years. 

 More than 100 species of Mammalia, in all, were obtained 

 in these caves. Some were living species or closely allied 

 to such ; l)ut the majority were extinct, and a considerable 

 number, about one-fourth, belonged to extinct genera, or 

 genera not now inhabiting South America. Stone implements 

 and human remains were found in several of the caves with 

 extinct animals. The following enumeration of these remains 

 is from the corrected list of M. Gervais. 



Primates. — Extinct species of Cclrns, Callithrix, and Jacclius — 

 South American genera of monkeys ; with an extinct genus, 

 Protopitheciis — an animal of large size but belonging to the 

 American family Cebida?. 



Chiroytcra. — Species belonging to the South American Phyllos- 

 tomidffi, and to two South American genera of other families. 



Carnivora. — Five species of Fclis, some allied to living ani- 

 mals, others extinct ; a species of the widespread extinct genus 

 Machairodus ; and a small species referred to Cynadurus, the 

 genus containing the hunting leopard now found only in Africa 

 and India. Canidic are represented by Canis and Icticyon (a 

 living Brazilian species of the latter genus), and the extinct 

 genus Speothos. Mustelida? are represented by extinct species 

 of the South American genera Mephitis and G-alictis. Procy- 

 onidffi, by a species of Nasua. Ursidae, hy Arctotherimn, a 

 genus closely resembling, if not identical with, that containing 

 the " spectacled bear " of Chili. 



Ungidatct. — Equus, Tapirus, Dieotyles, Auchcnia, Cervus, Lep- 

 totherium, and Antilope, are the cave-genera of tliis order. 

 Equus and Antelopte are particularly interesting, as representing 

 groups forming no part of existing South American zoology ; 

 while the presence also of Leptothe.rium, an extinct genus of 

 antelopes, shows that the group was fairly represented in South 

 America at this comparatively recent period. 



Probosciclea. — A species of Mastodon, found also in the Pliocene 

 of La Plata, represents this order. 



Rodentia. — These abound. Dasyproeta, Gcclogenys, Cavia, 

 Kerodon, all living genera of Caviidce, are represented by 



