OSBORN. REVIEW OF THE PLEISTOCENE 227 



in Pleistocene times ancestors of the zebras, which are now confined to 

 equatorial Africa, extended to the extreme north of the continent. To 

 the same period belongs a wild ass very similar to the Ethiopian ass 

 (E. asinus), an animal which survived in this region until exterminated 

 by the Greeks and Bomans, and is now confined to the highlands of 

 Abyssinia. 



Among the Artiodactyla the presence of camels 11 (C. thomasii) in 

 Palaeolithic Pleistocene times and even in deposits of Neolithic age (C. 

 dromedarius) is extraordinarily interesting. There is no evidence as to 

 domestication. The earlier of these two camels of ancient Libya had 

 longer legs and was of heavier build than the dromedary. The rare re- 

 mains of the later form, probably identical with the recent dromedary, 

 may be those of a race which was already emigrating or becoming extinct. 

 The presence of the camel is one of the most convincing proofs of con- 

 nection of this fauna with that of the Upper Siwaliks of southern Asia, 

 and thus of North America. 



Especially significant of Asiatic and Siwalik affinity are the Pleisto- 

 cene cattle and buffaloes of north Africa, including contemporary species 

 of Bos, all belonging to late Quaternary or to the Neolithic age, partly 

 domesticated, and with remote resemblances to the Pleistocene cattle of 

 France and Spain. Similar Asiatic affinity is found in the remains of a 

 buffalo (Bubalus antiquas) allied to the existing Indian form; this was 

 a powerful beast which presumably lived in herds, frequenting grassy 

 plains and swampy districts, and in its presence here we seem to find con- 

 firmation of what geology teaches us in regard, to the dampness of the 

 Quaternary climate. The disappearance of the buffalo from north Africa 

 at the commencement of the Eecent Period was no doubt due to the in- 

 creasingly dry conditions, and partly to destruction by man. 



The great number and variety of antelopes is most astonishing in this 

 region, which at present is inhabited only by the gazelles (Gazella), the 

 hartebeests (Bubalis) and addax antelopes (Addax). The Pleistocene 

 fauna includes gnus (Connochcetes), several species of Bubalis still rep- 

 resented in the Barbary States, an aberrant form (Oreonagor), related 

 to the nilgai of India, nine species of gazelles (Gazella), the oryx 

 (Oryx), the nabor (Cervicapra redunca), several large elands (Oreas), 

 such as now inhabit south Africa, as well as dwarf antelopes (Cephal- 

 ophus). Beside these plains and desert types of ruminants, the hills 

 were covered with wild sheep (Ovis palceotragus) very similar to the ex- 

 isting Barbary sheep, as well as goats (Ovis promaza). 



11 Pomel, A. : "Cameliens et Cervides," Carte Geol. Algerie. Paleont. Monogr. Algiers, 

 1893. 



