﻿EOCENE PERIOD 125 



but other forms, probably derived from them, and of a more 

 advanced type, were then on the scene (Palceomastodon). 

 These animals, like their forerunners, were fairly long in the 

 neck. They were certainly bigger animals, and in some 

 cases must have stood fully six feet at the shoulder. The 

 lower jaw had been elongated considerably, and terminated 

 — as with the " beasts of Moeris " — with tusks of small size, 

 usable for digging and uprooting purposes. 



This lengthening of the lower jaw is perhaps the most 

 remarkable feature. The chief purpose of it seems to have 

 been to form a support for the trunk, which was in process of 

 development. Probably the short proboscis already pos- 

 sessed at its extremity a fair amount of prehensile power ; 

 but it was not yet sufficiently developed to be left, so to 

 speak, to itself. A developing organ intimately connected 

 with breathing and feeding must have required very careful 

 nursing ; and the under jaw was acting as a sort of foster- 

 mother. 



These creatures possessed sloping faces like the Moeris 

 animals, but the skull was more elephantine in shape. They 

 were also approaching true elephants as regards teeth ; for 

 these were fewer in number than in the more primitive forms, 

 and some were considerably enlarged. 



These more elephant-like beasts lived, it is supposed, 

 more or less habitually on land. Here they could obtain a 

 more varied and substantial vegetation than that which 

 satisfied their lake-dwelling relatives. They were certainly 

 more enterprising, and probably far more intelligent than 

 the latter. 



Some doubtful remains of swine have been found in the swine 

 same district (Geniohyus Andrewsi) ; but our eyes must 

 revert to North America for a clearer view of porcine patri- 

 archs. Here in mid-Eocene times animals were certainly 

 living more or less distinguishable as swine {Homacodon). 

 Pig-life on these scenes was beginning in a small way ; for 

 the creatures were not bigger than hares. Although in 

 common with mammals of primitive type their feet were 

 five-toed, they were practically four-toed animals, as one of 

 the digits on each foot had been withdrawn from active 



