CLIMATE OF PLEISTOCENE PERIOD. 31 



The Chamois (Antilocapra rupicaprct) is another species 

 which is now restricted to the Alps and the Pyrenees. Its 

 remains are met with in the bone-caves of Belgium and the 

 south of France. 



Among other animals of the Palaeolithic Period in Europe 

 were the Lynx, the Wild-cat, and other living carnivores, and 

 the Aurochs or Lithuanian Bison, the Urus, the Great Irish 

 Deer, the Saiga, the Stag, the Eoe, and so forth. Of these the 

 Great Irish Deer, now extinct, was formerly widely distributed 

 over Middle Europe, and survived the Palaeolithic Period. It is 

 even supposed by some writers to be referred to in the Niebe- 

 lungen Lied as the " fierce schelch." There can be little doubt 

 that it lived under climatic conditions similar to those that 

 characterise the temperate latitudes of Western Europe. The 

 Aurochs or Lithuanian Bison is preserved by the Czar in one of 

 the forests of Lithuania, otherwise it is no longer feral in 

 Europe. It still lives, however, in the Caucasus. The Urus 

 appears to be represented solely by the white cattle of Chil- 

 lingham and Hamilton, but it exceeded these considerably in 

 size. Among other species of Pleistocene times whose presence 

 indicates a temperate climate are Otter, Beaver, Hare, Babbit, 

 Marten -cat, Stoat, Weasel, Wolf, Fox, Horse, and others, some 

 of which have been already mentioned. 



Before we proceed to the discussion of the climatic and 

 geographical conditions of Europe during the Old Stone Age, 

 it may be well to summarise the results of our inquiries into 

 the present geographical distribution of those species which are 

 recognised as still living. We find, then, that the animals 

 which were contemporaneous in our continent with Palaeolithic 

 man, may be grouped as follow : — 



1. Southern Group, 1 comprising those species that are now 

 found living in latitudes south of the Black Sea and the 

 Mediterranean : — 



1 To this group Professor Dawkins adds the porcupine, remains of which have 

 been met with in the caves of Belgium. It is now a native of Southern Europe, 

 but ranges south into Africa. 



