cirAr. xi.] 
THE ETHIOPIAN REGION, 
2G7 
that of Africa south of the equator. The extreme peculiarity 
aud isolation of the flora must not, however, be lost sight of, if 
we would correctly interpret the phenomena afforded by the dis- 
tribution of animal life on the African continent. 
Mammalia. — A much larger number of peculiar forms of mam- 
mals are found here than in any of the other sub-regions, 
although it is far less in extent than either of the three divi- 
sions of the continent. Among Insectivora we have the 
Chrysochloridre, or golden moles, consisting of two genera confined 
to South Africa ; while the Macroscelididse, or elephant shrews, 
are also characteristically South African, although ranging as far as 
Mozambique and the Zambezi, with one outlying species in North 
Africa. The Viverridie are represented by three peculiar genera, 
Ariela, Cynictis , and Suricata. The Carnivora present some 
remarkable forms : Proteles , forming a distinct family allied to 
the hyaenas and weasels ; and two curious forms of Canidae — • 
Megalotis (the long-eared fox) and Lycaon (the hyaena-dog), the 
latter found also in parts of Eatt Africa. Bydrogale is a 
peculiar form of Mustelidae ; Pelea one of the antelopes ; Den- 
di'omys , Malacothrix , and Mystromys are peculiar genera of the 
mouse family (Muridse) ; Bathyerges one of the mole-rats (Spa- 
1 acidic) ; Pedetes, the Cape-hare, a remarkable form of jerboa ; and 
Petromys, one of the spiny-rats (Echimyidae). The remarkable 
Orycteropus, or earth-pig, has one species in South and one in 
North East Africa. We have thus eighteen genera of mammalia 
almost or quite peculiar to South Africa. 
Birds. — These do not present so many peculiar forms, yet 
some are very remarkable. Chcdops is an isolated genus of 
thrushes (Turdidte). Lioptilus , one of the fruit-thrushes (Pycno- 
notidae). Pogonocichla, one of the fly-catchers; Urolestes, a 
shrike ; Promerops, a sun-bird ; PMletcerus and Chera, weaver- 
birds ; and three peculiar genera of larks — Spizocorys, Heterocorys , 
and Tephrocorys , complete the list of peculiar types of Passeres. 
A wood-pecker, Geocolaptes, is nearly allied to a South American 
genus. The Cape-dove, (Ena, is confined to South and East Africa 
and Madagascar ; and Thalassornis is a peculiar form of duck. 
Several genera are also confined to West and South Africa ; — 
