The genera _Dichobune_ and _Xiphodon_, of the Middle and Upper
Eocene, are closely related to _Anoplotherium_, but are more
slender and deer-like in form. No example of the great Ruminant
group of the Ungulate Quadrupeds has as yet been detected in
deposits of Eocene age.
[Illustration: Fig. 231.--_Anoplotherium commune_. Eocene Tertiary,
France. (After Cuvier.)]
Whilst true Ruminants appear to be unknown, the Eocene strata
of North America have yielded to the researches of Professor
Marsh examples of an extraordinary group (_Dinocerata_), which
may be considered as in some respects intermediate between the
Ungulates and the Proboscideans. In _Dinoceras_ itself (fig.
232) we have a large animal, equal in dimensions to the living
Elephants, which it further resembles in the structure of the
massive limbs, except that there are only four toes to each foot.
The upper jaw was devoid of front teeth, but there were two very
large canine teeth, in the form of tusks directed perpendicularly
downwards; and there was also a series of six small molars on each.
Each upper jaw-bone carried a bony projection, which was probably
of the nature of a "horn-core," and was originally sheathed in
horn. Two similar, but smaller, horn-cores are carried on the
nasal bones; and two much larger projections, also probably of
the nature of horn-cores, were carried upon the forehead.
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