306 University of California Publications in Geology [Vol. 7 



described under numerous generic and specific names, as the 

 fragmentary specimens representing different parts of the skele- 

 ton cannot be correlated satisfactorily. Not less than six genera 

 are listed. It is probable that three of the generic groups have 

 a valid basis in American material. The others are of doubtful 

 value. The forms referred to Eschatius and Camelus represent 

 two of the generic groups. The relationships of the species 

 referred to Carnelops, Megalomeryx, Auchenia and Holomeniscus, 

 present one of the problems in the study of this group, recent 

 writers generally considering the four as representing a single 

 genus. 



Wortman' in his revision of the extinct Camelidae of North 

 America called attention to the very fragmentary nature of 

 the material upon which all of the North American Pleistocene 

 species rest, and considered that no evidence had been presented 

 showing that valid characters separated the genera Megalomeryx 

 and Holomeniscus from ('ami laps, the first genus described. 

 The North American forms referred to Auchenia he showed to 

 be distinct from the Recent Auchenia, and not clearly separable 

 from Carnelops. Megalomeryx was described from Nebraska later 

 than Carnelops from Kansas, and may be of Tertiary age. It was 

 based upon two molar teeth, while the type of Carnelops consisted 

 of an anterior end of the rostral region without cheek teeth. 

 Holomeniscus was characterized by Cope as possessing a single 

 superior premolar, P 4 . Wortman stated that, so far as he had 

 been able to obtain information, in the only specimen in which 

 the superior premolar formula can be determined, both P 3 and 

 P 4 are present. So far as determined by Wortman, no characters 

 were presented which might reasonably be considered as dis- 

 tinguishing Holomeniscus from Carnelops. 



In the excavation work done at Rancho La Brea during the 

 past six years camel material has been found occasionally, but 

 not until recently has it been possible to obtain a complete skull. 

 In the excavations of the last few months, the University of 

 California has been so fortunate as to find several nearly perfect 

 skulls, and associated with them is a quantity of skeletal material 

 representing the greater part of the animal. Three skulls now 



i Wortman, J. L., Bull. Am. Mus., vol. 10, p. 128, 1898. 



