Essay on the Theory of the EarthCuvier, Georges, baron
Science
Essay on the Theory of the Earth
Cuvier, Georges, baron
Geology; Paleontology
At the head of the carnivora, I place a Bat, very recently
discovered at Montmartre, and which belongs to the proper genus
Vespertilio[279]. The existence of this genus, at an epoch so remote,
is so much the more surprising, that, neither in this formation, nor
in those which have succeeded it, have I seen any other trace, either
of cheiroptera or of quadrumana: no bone or tooth of either monkey
or maki has ever presented itself to me, in the course of my long
researches.
Montmartre has also furnished the bones of a fox different from ours,
and which also differs from the jackals, isatises, and the various
species of foxes peculiar to America[280]; those of a carnivorous
animal allied to the raccoons and coaties, but larger than any known
species[281]; those of a particular species of civet[282]; and of
two or three other carnivora, which it has not been possible to
determine, from the want of tolerably complete portions.
What is still more remarkable, is, that there are skeletons of a
small sarigue, allied to the marmose, but different, and consequently
of an animal belonging to a genus which is at the present day
confined to the New World[283]. Skeletons of two small glires, of the
genus myoxus[284], and a skull belonging to the genus sciurus[285],
have also been collected.
Our gypsum deposits are more fertile in bones of birds than any
of the other strata either anterior or posterior to it. Entire
skeletons, and parts of at least ten species belonging to all the
orders, are found there[286].
The crocodiles of the period in question approach our common
crocodiles in the form of the head, while, in the deposits of the
Jura period, we find only species allied to the gavial.
A species has been found at Argenton, which is remarkable for its
compressed, sharp teeth, having their edges dentated like those of
certain monitors[287]. Some remains of it also occur in our gypsum
quarries[288].
The tortoises of this period are all fresh-water ones: some of
them belong to the subgenus _Emys_; and there are species, both at
Montmartre[289], and still more especially in the molasse sandstones
of the Dordogne[290], which are larger than any living species known;
the others are Trionyces or soft tortoises[291]. This genus, which
is easily distinguished by the vermiculate surface of the bones of
its shell, and which at present exists only in the rivers of warm
countries, such as the Nile, the Ganges, and the Orinoko, has
been very abundant in the places where the palæotheria lived. Vast
quantities of its remains are found at Montmartre[292], and in the
molasse sandstones of the Dordogne, and the other gravel deposits of
the south of France.
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