, 1874-01-05

g7ayeyards, in which WAS entonbed fauns,
closcly allied to. yet entirely distinct from that
on White River. and plainly 1atefmetlste be-
tween that of the latter and that OF the present
period Several species OF extinct camelS, and
II great variety OF the horse family characterized
this fauna- One Of tho horses was about tho
siZe OF the common domestic animal, while aa~
other alliel form, about the size Of q Newfound-
land dog, was provided with three hocfs
to each foot. though the lateral hootD
ware rudinental. Dr.. Leidy has already
identified twensy-seven species OF the
horse family which a1e thus known to have lived
on this continent prior to the advent OF man-
about three times as many IS are now found
hr1nE throughout the world Among the car
nayoreB there were several species Of foxes and
wolves, tivo varieties Of tho cat family. and
three species at hye:a- Some OF the rkulls cf
the tiger-liko animals exhibited tho marEs Ct
terrible CONFLICTS with the l1yenas. Among tue
rodents "e.o porcu2iue, Bc.au beaver, rabbit,
mouse, &c. -:."*'
'The pachyder7ns or tlick-skinaed animals,
were very numerous, md are OF the greatest i'll
living on tho contineas at the p1es-
cut time. Five species Of rhincce1oE
are found; mas!olou, elephant, and
numerous forms ALI d to the domestic beg,
varying IN size from that Of tho African hippo
potatnus down to that OF the domestic cat Ersm
the discovery OF this group Of extinct animal
NC may draw the inference that Nebraska q d
Dakota we're the homes OF 4 race closely allied to
those lnhahitin, Asia and Africa as tle prencut
time. From their characteristics We arc led 10
believe that the climate duri:g that period was
considerably warmer than it il now. The infer
cnco IL also draWn thas A1ra.'ca, instead OF
belnE. HI it is usually called, tho New Werll,'
is really older thaa the Eastern Hemisphere.
Tho discoveries in Kansas and Wyoming ere
still more wonderful. During the past summer
Prof. Cope has occupied considerable time
under tho auspices OF the Survey in exploring
another Of these wonderful gravcyasds Of 4 loaH
rernnlns OF more than 1GG species. moro neatly
resembling those Of White and Niobrara Rivers
but most Of them specifically distinct At least
seventy species are nsw to scieuce, ranging from
the size Of the 'aole nearlg to that OF tie ele-
phant; si1teen species ouly are reptiles.
Many forms Of the insectiyorous animals ro-
lated TO the mole. nnd O! very small size, hayo
been procured. Tho delicacy and ul>nuseness Uf
these fossils is surprising. Gnawins ANIMALS,
or rodents, left numerous remains Of eighteen
species, some not larger than the domestic
mouse: Some were the predecessors OF tho rao-
bits others of squirrels, AID Others OF MICE OF
cloven-footcd quadrupeds great many species
hare been found. Some we're nearly intermed;~
ate between the deer and the hog in structure.
Lko the latter, they had horns. They were
about as lazgo as sheep. Othess waro about
the slze of gray squirrels, being tho
smallest OF this class Of animals ever Gls-
covered. Several epecies of.horscs were living
during the Same period their boues and teeth
ara found iu abundance. Tue 1hnoceros abound
cd in Colorado in fosmer days. no less than seven
species having been procured BY Prof.. Cope.
One Of the specimens is 3 perfect skull. with
teeth complete, aud covered with tia 1noss-liEe
crystall1zntion eoea in tho moss agate. But the
most remarkable monsters OF the past whosc
existence has been disclosed by tho present
survey are serles OF horned species re!ated to
the rhinoccros, hut possessing some features in
which, according to Prof Cope, they resemble
the elephant. They stood high on the legs and
| had short feet, but possessed osseous horas i'll
pairs on different raEts of tho
head. One Of the largest speciea
had = huge horn over eacn owe. whio
anotle- had one on each side OF the nose aud
moro than foot il, length, resembling, the
back part Of the head. tho OK. etc. 4 th;rd one,
Of larger size than the sst, had rudinentai horns
on the rose. Stall another was about us large az
the elephant. Its cAeek-bones were enormously
expanded, and its horns were Tat. 4 fifth spe-
cies had triangular ho.us turned outward. Car
niyorous species were not r:ro in this ancient
| world, and served then as nov to check the too
rnp;d increase. OF the fourteen species OF car
uiyores known, there were t'ger-cats and dogs
/ as large rs the black nea-, but probably much
more carnvorous in their propensitcs. whila
some Of the cats had remarkably canine or eye
| teeth. In new species, the size OF = panther,
| these teeth grcatly resemble thuse Of sha.k.
| The,e were also many reptiles, such as turtles,
| lizards, snakes, &c"