Extinct Species 



2 93 



5. Ameghino's Marsh-Deer — Mazama fragilis {Extinct) 



Cervus fragilis, Ameghino, Diagnosis Mam. Fos. Neuv. p. 11 (1888). 



Paraceros fragilis, Ameghino, Mam. Fos. Repub. Argent, p. 606, plate 

 xxxviii, fig. 7 (1889). 



Cariacus fragilis, Lydekker, An. Mas. La Plata — Pal. Argent, vol. ii. 

 p. 82, plate xxxii (1893). 



Characters. — The type of this well- 

 marked species is an imperfect left 

 antler from the superficial deposits of 

 the pampas of Buenos Aires. The 

 beam is cylindrical, and the main 

 bifurcation takes place about two 

 inches above the burr. The anterior 

 branch of the main fork is given off 

 at an obtuse angle to the posterior 

 one, and is apparently simple. The 

 much larger posterior branch forks 

 about five inches above the main 

 bifurcation, and the hinder tine again 

 divides dichotomously. The figured 

 specimen, from which the front prong 

 of the main fork is broken away, is 

 one of a pair in the museum at La 

 Plata. Both antlers show five points, 

 and apparently indicate a species allied 

 to the pampas deer, but having antlers 

 of a more complex type. 



Distribution. — Argentina during 

 the Plistocene epoch. 



Fig. 78. — Front view of Left Antler of Ameghino's 

 Marsh-Deer. From a specimen in the La Plata 

 Museum. 



iii. The Guemal Group — -Sub-Genus Xenelaphus 



Hippocamelus, Leuckart, De Equo bisulco Molina*, p. 23 (18 16). 

 Cerveqiais, Lesson, Nouv. Tab/. Hist. Nat. p. 173 (1842). 



