Page:A Treatise on Geology, volume 2.djvu/56

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42
A TREATISE OF GEOLOGY.
CHAP. VI.

habitually to frequent the margins of rivers and Jakes. Among them are

Cheiroptera, Vespertilio Pariensis.—Carnivora', Nasua; Viverra Parisiensis, and 2 others; Canis, 2 species.— Marsupiata, Didelphis Cuvieri, and another.—Rodentia, Myoxus, 2 species; Sciurus.—Pachydermata, Adapis Parisiensis; Chæropotamus Pariensis; Anoplotherium commune, A. Secundarium; Xidophon gracile; Dichobune leporina, D. murina, D. obliqua; * Palæotherium magnum, P. medium, P. crassum, P. latum, P. curtum, P. minus, P. minimum, P. indeterminatum; Lophiodon———.

Among the reptiles are trionyx Parisiensis, emys (several species) crocodiles.

Palms and other endogenous plants accompany these remains.

In this list of undoubtedly eocene quadrupeds, we remark, with interest, first, the total absence of ruminant animals; secondly, the great predominance of the pachydermata; thirdly, the deficiency in this group of the elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, mastodon, and horse; and, fourthly, the deficiency of large feline beasts. By all these characters the eocene deposits differ widely from those which have been generally called diluvial.

The quarries of Binstead, and cliffs near Ryde, have yielded to Mr. Pratt, Mr. W. D. Fox, and Mr. W. V. Harcourt, bones of palæotheriu, anoplotheria, chæropotamus, and perhaps dichobune, as Mr. Owen has recently stated to the Geological Society (Proceedings, Nov. 18, 1838). The species are

Palæotherium medium Anoplotherium commune.
——————— crassum ——————— secondarium
——————— minus Chæropotamus —————.
——————— curtum Dichobune ? (This was formerly described as a species of moschus.)
——————— a new species

The agreement of this list with that of the animals of the corresponding beds in the Paris basin is remarkable.