CAINOZOIC AGE 



PLIOCENE PERIOD 



EARLIER EPOCH 



Owing to various earth-movements in the course of this 

 Period the Mediterranean Sea was gradually forced back, 

 and the continent of Europe attained a shape and extent not 

 differing greatly from that of to-day. The climate, although 

 still of higher temperature than now, was becoming less 

 warm. Signs of a change were evident towards the close 

 of the Miocene in the decline of the palms. At the com- 

 mencement of the Pliocene these warmth-loving growths 

 had almost disappeared ; and the cUmatic changes were 

 driving crocodiles from old European haunts. Meanwhile 

 the lowering of the temperature had stimulated the growth 

 of deciduous trees ; and grasses, spreading more freely, were 

 now displayed as rich and extensive pastures. 



Herbivorous animals were enjoying the verdant scenes in antelope 

 vast numbers ; and the antelopes of primitive type were 

 succeeded by various, though for the most part small forms. 

 Most of these were of mixed afifinities. Some, with spirally 

 twisted horns, combined kudu and eland features (Palczorias) : 

 others, also of twofold character, gave promise of the oryx 

 and the sable antelope (PalcBoryx) ; whilst certain forms in 

 some points were decidedly goat-Uke (Tragoceros). Some of 

 the animals were more specialised, and may be described as 

 harnessed antelopes. GazeUes, more or less indistinguish- 

 able from modern forms, had also been launched on their 

 career (Protragelaphus). 



Whilst antelope herds fed and prospered on the grassy giraffes 

 grounds, other animals browsed on the foliage of the trees. 



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