Summary

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1919 edition. Excerpt: ...of America. Canis--Eleven species of dogs and the fossil Cants Azarae. Artotheriums--Gigantic bears unlike the present species. Tipoteridos--Order discovered by Gervais and Ameghino. Includes the tipoterium, of which there are three species, and the Toxodou, of which five species have been found corresponding in size to the rhinoceros. Solipede--Three species of horses have been found, among them the Equus Argentinus (by Burmeister). The South American horse of the present day was introduced by the Spaniards. Macrauquenia--Twice as high as the horse, and combining the characteristics of the giraflfe, camel and llama. Proboscides--There are two species of Mastodons: Hum-boldt and Andium. No fossil elephants have been found. Ruminants--There are several species of Auchenia, Cierves, Antelopes, etc. Edentates (toothless)--The Megatherium family.--The American Megatherium is much larger than the elephant. It is on exhibition in nearly all the museums of the world. There are five smaller species, and several of the Milodon type. Among the Edentates, mention must be made of several of the animals with armour-like coverings not unlike that of the Armadillo. These are the Gliptodon species with an armour covering which in some places measures two meters in thickness; exhibited in the museums of La Plata and Buenos Aires. These armour coverings were used as tents by the fossil man of the pampas of the tertiary age, as verified by marks of the handiwork of primitive man, and which can not be disputed. The Patagonian Region Of The Present Day And What It Was In The Remote Past Patagonia, which was at one time one of the most fertile regions on the globe, is today a vast arid tract, almost uninhabitable for reason of its sudden and extreme climatic...