GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 429 



may be regarded as the head -quarters of some other animals 

 which, though not decadent, are comparatively defenceless. On 

 the other hand, the region stands unsurpassed for variety and 

 wealth of life, which is pardy due to its unparalleled range in 

 latitude and diversity in altitude. Every kind of climate and 

 environment are exemplified, from the tropical forests of Brazil 

 to the rigour of the high Andes or Tien a del Fuego, from the 

 grassy pampas of the Argentine to the Patagonian desert. 



Neotropical Mammals [Mammalia). — To this region are 

 absolutely confined the American Monkeys {Ccbidce) and the 

 Marmosets [Hapalidd), both (especially the latter) of lower grade 

 than their Old World cousins. Lemurs [Lcmuroidea) are entirely 

 absent, as from America in general. There are no fruit -eating- 

 Bats [Pteropidcs), but a number of genera are peculiar to the 

 region, especially those including the blood -sucking Vampires 

 {Desmodus and Diphylla). A somewhat remarkable negative 

 feature of the Neotropical fauna is the almost complete absence 

 of Insect- Eaters {Insectivora). The widely distributed Shrews 

 [Soricidce) are, however, represented in Central America, while 

 the Agoutas (Solenodon) of Cuba and Hayti constitute a distinct 

 family. 



Of the most predaceous Flesh-Eaters {Carniii07^a), i.e. the 

 members of the Cat Family [Felidce), there is a decided scarcity, 

 the three largest indigenous species — Puma [Fclis concolor). 

 Jaguar [F. onca), and Ocelot {F. pardalis) — also ranging into 

 North America. • The Civet Cat Family ( Viverrida:) is entirely 

 unrepresented; while of Bears [Ursidce) there is only the Spec- 

 tacled Bear [Ursus ornattis) of Peru and Chili. Weasels 

 {Mustelidce) and creatures of the Dog Family [Canidce) are 

 fairly abundant. On the other hand, the Neotropical region is 

 the head -quarters of the almost purely American family of 

 Raccoons [Pi-ocyonidiZ) and their allies. The Kinkajou (Q-;-- 

 coleptes) is limited to the region, the long-snouted Coatimundis 

 [Nasua) range as far north as Texas, while the Raccoons 

 [Procyon) have a wide distribution in the New World. One 

 member of this family is native to the Old World, i.e. the 

 Panda {yFhirus) of the south-eastern Himalayas, and we have 

 here therefore a good example of discontinuous distribution. 



The positive and negative characteristics of the region as 

 regards Hoofed Mammals [Ungulata) are both well marked. 



