r Q [Proc. B.N.F.O., 



same assemblage. But I want to draw your special attention to 

 the fact that within historic times there lived in Ireland large 

 Mammals such as the Red Deer, the Wolf, and the Wild Boar. 

 In somewhat more remote times, yet still contemporaneously with 

 man, we have had also the Brown Bear, Wild Cat, Irish Elk, and 

 Wild Horse. 



With the exception of the Red Deer, which still lingers on in 

 a semi-wild state in a few localities, all these animals are now 

 extinct in Ireland. It is exceedingly probable that the Reindeer 

 also survived in Ireland until comparatively recent times, for it was 

 still hunted in Scotland in the twelfth century ; while its remains 

 occur in Irish caves and superficial deposits along with those of 

 the Brown Bear and Irish Elk. The map of distribution of the 

 Reindeer shows you a type of range differing from that of the 

 Badger. The existing distribution is shown as well as the past 

 range. This animal seems to have come down from the north 

 and, after invading a great part of Europe, to have retreated 

 again to its own northern home. 



Contemporaneously with the Reindeer, Irish Elk, and Bear 

 there lived in Ireland several curious mouse-like creatures with 

 short stumpy tails known as Lemmings, which are likewise typical 

 inhabitants of northern regions. They were accompanied in their 

 travels by their inveterate enemy the Arctic Fox. Now, although 

 we know that some of these animals swim perfectly well, and if 

 compelled by danger or hunger will not hesitate to cross a river or 

 even a lake, it is scarcely conceivable that any of them could have 

 traversed in safety a channel such as that now separating Ireland 

 from Great Britain. 



No naturalist with any experience of animal life would for a 

 moment entertain such a belief. If the two countries had been 

 brought in the past to within a mile of one another, it might have 

 been possible perhaps for some of the species mentioned to swim 

 across. But it is very improbable, even under such favourable 

 conditions, that they would have been able to colonise Ireland. 



