﻿MIOCENE PERIOD 155 



of this Period monkeys and apes existed in Europe in more 

 than shadowy outlines. These creatures, however, had not 

 so far developed as to resemble closely any existing members 

 of the Order. They were, rather, combinations of forms 

 which now are quite distinct. Some of them seem to have 

 been a blend or composition of baboons and anthropoid apes 

 (Oreopithecus) : others to have been a combination of existing 

 genera of the latter. Dryopithecus, for instance, was in part 

 a chimpanzee, in part a gorilla. Some forms, however, seem 

 to have been so far developed as to approach very closely the 

 gibbon apes of our time (Pliopithecus). 



Primates, compelled in the first instance to take to trees 

 for safety, had probably long before this time become more 

 or less permanently arboreal in habit. It was not a dignified 

 mode of life for the highest order of mammals. But the 

 creatures were, by nature, not well off for weapons ; and 

 they had not the wit to manufacture them. Possibly they 

 had not even become so far civilised as to practise the art of 

 throwing sticks and stones. 



At this time, however, some of the animals probably did 

 not confine themselves to arboreal life. Indeed, by means of 

 their long arms, and occasional adventitious aid, they may 

 have pedestrianised in a fairly erect manner. 



Insectivores — near relatives of the primates — were now insectivores 

 of little importance. The adaptabilities of these animals, 

 however, were great, as attested in the Oligocene by burrow- 

 ing moles, shrews of aquatic habits, and hedgehogs. The 

 Miocene yields evidence that yet another mode of living had 

 been resorted to, as some of the animals had taken to 

 haunting trees (Lantanotherium). It only remained for in- 

 sectivores to fly ; and it is interesting to note that the now 

 living " flying lemur " (Galeopithecus) seems really to belong 

 to the Insectivore Order. 



Some developments had taken place among the rodents, rodents 

 Porcupines, not clearly distinguishable in the Oligocene from 

 squirrels, had now so far diverged as to form a distinct family 

 (Hystricidce) ; and beavers, " half-create " — to use a poet's 

 phrase — in the last Period, were now completely evolved 

 (Castor). 



