among the bones from Kent’s Cavern, and by Dr. Falconer s 
74 THE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 
portions of this wide region, but the great railroads seem to — 
present impassable barriers, which cause them to be distributed | 
in lots, as it were, between them. I believe it to be a fair estimate 4 
to allow them a present range, all told, of not more than 500,000 — 
square miles, a reduction of one million square miles in twelve 
years. Granting the possible fact that the reduction in numbers 
may be in smaller proportion, and allowing for errors in the cal- 
culation, there can be little doubt that in the next ten years this race 
will become extinct, at the present rate of destruction. 
The wolverine (Gulo luscus) also represents an ancient type, 
found in the bone caves of England and Belgium. It is liable to 
rapid extinction on account of the value of its fur. ; 
The Rocky Mountain grizzly bear (Ursus horribilis Ord.) is 
found by Mr. Buck* to be osteologically identical with remains 
occurring in ancient British deposits of Post-tertiary age. This 
species is, perhaps, not yet scarce enough to need protection, as — 
it is mainly confined to mountainous regions, and the flesh is not 
greatly in demand. It is a question, however, whether its skin 
will not be more frequently sought in consequence of the disap- 
pearance of the bison, or bufialo. 
The American beaver (Castor Canadensis), hunted alike for i 
skin and its anti-civilization propensities, is a distant relativ 
Castoroides Ohiensis of the American’ Post-tertiary. Its lim 
as with other animals, have been much curtailed by the advance 
of civilized man. It-is worthy of preservation for its pec 
_ habits, which need no description. 
The tailless hare, or lagomys, represented in the Rocky 
Mountain region by the little chief hare (L. princeps Rich), ~ 
_ genus now confined to the Himalayas, Siberia, and the 
regions of North America, has been identified by Prof. 
| those from the Brixham Cave.” + 
repres ntative of the Post-tertiary period. Though, at p! 
quite abundant i in this country, it is doubtful whether it can 
withstand the assaults of the hunter, even with the existe! 
— parma, laws. The same remark will apply with 
ae Ser ES nein 1 307. 
