﻿122 EVOLUTION IN THE PAST 



ever, never became rhinoceroses ; nor indeed were they ever 

 modified so far as to bear close resemblance to any animals 

 now in existence. Other forms, then living, seem to have 

 been developing more steadily on the line (Amynodon) ; 

 but neither did any of their descendants ever really reach 

 the goal. Allied to these were some European forms, of which 

 very little is known (Cadurcotherium). 

 pal^eo- The true rhinoceroses of the future were possibly derived 

 theres from some animals named Palaeotheres — first known in mid- 

 Eocene times. These creatures, so far as evidence goes, were 

 confined to Europe ; and were probably another offshoot of 

 the great family (Lophiodonts) whence the budding equines 

 and tapirs had sprung. They certainly much resembled, 

 tapirs, especially in the shape of the skull. The Palaeothere 

 escutcheon, therefore, was rather confusedly charged at this 

 time. 



In late Eocene times the palaeotheres varied greatly in 

 size, and some forms were to be seen as big as rhinoceroses. 

 The skull, so far as is known, retained in all cases its old- 

 tapir shape ; and horns were not even in faintest promise. 

 amblypods Animals with so-called " stumpy " feet and of bear-cum- 

 hippopotamus build (Amblypoda) — in view at the dawn of 

 the Period — made considerable progress. In course of time 

 forms of heavier structure than their forerunners, and in 

 some cases as large as oxen, made their appearance (Cory- 

 phodon). The heads of these animals were large, and 

 lightened by air chambers ; and were certainly not burdened, 

 with brains. Some of the animals, when locomoting, were 

 developing a habit of rising on the toes of their broad, 

 spreading feet. As a rule, however, they probably walked 

 more or less flat-footed like a bear. Flight in times of 

 danger was not with them a matter of vital importance ;, 

 for they were doubtless able to show fight, as evidenced by 

 their canine teeth, which had been developed into tusks. 



Coryphodont prosperity in Europe was not enduring, for 

 the animals became extinct in that part of the world long, 

 before the close of the Period. 



The disappearance of Coryphodonts brought Amblypod 

 annals to a close in Europe. In North America these 



