CHAPTER XI.
THE EUROPEAN CLIMATE IN THE PLEISTOCENE AGE.
The evidence of the Mammalia as to Climate.—The Southern Group.—The Northern Group.—Probable cause of Association of Northern and Southern Groups.—The Temperate Group.—Species common to Cold and Tropical Climates.—Extinct Species.—Two Periods of Glaciation in Britain.—Three Climatal Changes represented on the Continent.—Europe invaded by Pleistocene Mammals before the Glacial Period.—Mammals lived in Britain during the Second Ice or Glacial Stage.—The Glacial Period does not separate one Life-era from another.—Relation of Palæolithic Man to Glacial Period.—Age of Contents of Caves in Glaciated Districts.
The Evidence of the Mammalia as to Climate.
In the last three chapters we have seen that the cave-mammalia throw great light on the pleistocene geography of Europe, and that there is reason for the belief that the land surface then extended northwards and westwards, so as to include Ireland; and southwards to join Africa, in the direction of Sicily, Malta, and Gibraltar. We must now pass on to the consideration of the climate on this great continental area, which would allow of so large and varied a fauna existing in our quarter of the world.
The Southern Group of Animals.
The pleistocene fauna is remarkable for the mixture of species. It consists of forms now banished to South Africa, Northern Asia, and America, or to the severe climate of high mountains, mingled with those which lived in Europe in the historic age, and those which have wholly disappeared from the face of the earth. We will take the living species first.
The southern group consists of the following animals:—
Lion.
Caffir Cat.
Spotted Hyæna.
Striped Hyæna.
Serval.
Hippopotamus.
African Elephant.
Porcupine.