Extinct Animals associated with Man during the Glacial Period.
This is the proper place in which to speak more fully of the extinct animals which accompanied man in his earliest occupation of Europe and America, and whose remains are so abundant in the river-drift gravel and in the caves of England, in connection with the relics of man. Among these animals are
The Lion, which is now confined, to Africa and the warmer portions of Asia. But in glacial times a large species of this genus ranged over Europe from Sicily to central England.
The saber-toothed Tiger, with tusks ten inches long: (Machairodus latidens), is now extinct. This species was in existence during the latter part of the Tertiary period, but continued on until after man’s appearance in the Glacial period. The presence of this animal would seem to indicate a warm climate.
The Leopard (Felis pardus) is now confined to Africa and southern Asia, and the larger islands adjoining; but during man’s occupation of Europe in the Glacial epoch he was evidently haunted at every step by this animal; for his bones are found as far north in England as palæolithic man is known to have ranged.
The Hyena. Two species of this animal are found in the bone-caves of Europe. During the Glacial epoch they ranged as far up as northern England, but they are now limited to Africa and southwestern Asia.
Fig. 84.—Skull of Hyena spelæa, × 14.