328 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



of two kinds ; so that it is possible this species 

 may have lived in cold climates. It has long 

 disappeared. (See Cuvier's Researches on 

 Fossil Bones, Vol. III. n.) 



The second genus of the Proboscidiana, or 



The Mastodons (Mastodon, Cuv.J 



Has been entirely destroyed, and has left no species 

 living. It had the feet, tusks, trunk, and many 

 other details of conformation common with the Ele- 

 phant ; but it differed in the cheek-teeth, whose top 

 was furnished from the issue from the gum with 

 thick conical points. These, in proportion to their 

 detrition, presented disks of a size proportioned to 

 the wearing of the points *. These teeth, which 

 succeeded each other from rear to front, like those 

 of the Elephant, were furnished with pairs of points, 

 numerous in proportion to the age of the animal. 



The Great Mastodon (Mastodon Giganteum, Cuv.) 



In which the section of the points were lozenge- 

 shaped, is the best known species. It equalled 

 the Elephant, but its proportions were more 

 heavy. Its remains are found, wonderfully well 

 preserved, in vast abundance, throughout all 

 the whole of South America. They are infi- 

 nitely more rare in the old continent. 



* This confirmation, common to the Mastodons, the Hippopota- 

 mus, the Swine, $c, has induced a mistaken notion that the first 

 of these were carnivorous. 



