TRANSLATIONS AND NOTICES 



OP 



GEOLOGICAL MEMOIRS. 



Fossil Animals and Geology 0/ Attica. By Albeex Gaudrt. 

 Part I. — Fossil Animals. 



[Animaux Fossiles et Geologie de 1' Attique. Par M. Gaudry. Part I. Animaux 

 Fossiles. 4to. Paris, 1867. Plates 60.] 



In the first part of this work, M. Gaudry describes the remark- 

 able association of different species of Mammals obtained out of 

 a deposit, probably of Upper Miocene age, near Pikermi, in Attica. 

 He conducted the exploration in person, living in a tent, during 

 the summers of 1856-7 and 1860 ; and his labours have been 

 rewarded by the most complete suite of organic remains that has 

 ever been brought before the world of science, not even omitting 

 that of the Sevalik Hills. These ample materials he has most rigo- 

 rously analyzed ; and after comparing the remains, bone by bone, 

 with those of living Mammals, he has not only noted the points of 

 difference, but also has been the first naturalist to attach due im- 

 portance to the points of agreement that link species with species, 

 genus with genus, and order with order. 



The section exposed during his excavation is as follows : — Vege- 

 table soil 2 metres ; conglomerate 4 metres ; brickearth, with few 

 bones, 2 metres ; ossiferous bed with contents lying pell-mell, but 

 with the skeletons entire in some cases, of irregular thickness, 3 

 metres ; limestone containing recent shells forms the basis. 



The following is a list of the animals discovered : — 



Order Quadrumana. 



1. Family Macacid^. Species Mesopithecus Pentelid, "Wagner. A 



small Old- World Monkey, allied to Semnopithecus in the shape 

 of its head, in its limbs to Macacus. The abundant remains 

 show that the animal lived in troops. Number of individuals 

 found, 25. 



Order Carnivora. 



2, Family Simoctonid^. Species Simocyon diaphorus, Gaudiy, In- 



termediate between Ursus and Lupus ; aUied to the former in its 

 elongated lower true molar 2, to the latter in its lower pre- 

 molar 4 and molar 1. It was an omnivorous animal, of about the 

 size of a small Panther. Number of individuals found, 2, Fo- 

 reign locality — Upper Miocene of Eppelsheim, 



VOL, XXIV. PART II. B 



