"
[Illustration: Fig. 228.--_Zeuglodon cetoides_. A, Molar tooth of
the natural size; B, Vertebra, reduced in size. From the Middle
Eocene of the United States. (After Lyell.)]
The great and important order of the Hoofed Quadrupeds (_Ungulata_)
is represented in the Eocene by examples of both of its two principal
sections--namely, those with an uneven number of toes (one or three)
on the foot (_Perissodactyle Ungulates_), and those with an even
number of toes (two or four) to each foot (_Artiodactyle Ungulates_).
Amongst the Odd-toed Ungulates, the living family of the Tapirs
(_Tapirdoe_) is represented by the genus _Coryphodon_ of Owen.
Nearly related to the preceding are the species of _Paloeotherium_,
which have a historical interest as being amongst the first of
the Tertiary Mammals investigated by the illustrious Cuvier.
Several species of _Paloeothere_ are known, varying greatly in
size, the smallest being little bigger than a hare, whilst the
largest must have equalled a good-sized horse in its dimensions. The
species of _Paloeotherium_ appear to have agreed with the existing
Tapirs in possessing a lengthened and flexible nose, which formed
a short proboscis or trunk (fig. 229), suitable as an instrument
for stripping off the foliage of trees--the characters of the
molar teeth showing them to have been strictly herbivorous in
their habits.
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