nearly all of evergreen species, and that a severe winter would
destroy them. He finds one hundred and thirty-one species of the
Temperate Zone--species that can stand a moderate amount of
cold, but not very hot and dry climates. He finds eighty-five
species of tropical plants that could not possibly live where
the Winters are severe. Mingled with these were nearly three
hundred species whose natural home is in the warm, temperate
portions of the earth. The only way you can explain this motley
assemblage of trees is, to suppose that in what is now Europe
was a climate free from extremes, allowing the trees to put
forth flowers and fruits all the year round. "Reminding us,"
says Prof. Heer, "of those fortunate zones where Nature never
goes to rest."<35>

Illustration of Miocene Mammals.-----------


Let us now inquire as to the animals that roamed through these
great forests we have been describing. The Miocene period
extended over a long lapse of time, and considerable change took
place among the animals belonging to the different parts of this
age. We will only give a general outline for the whole period.
The marsupials lingered along into the early stages of this
period, and then disappeared from Europe. The rhinoceros were
present in the early stages, and continued through the entire
age. We meet in this period animals of the elephant kind, two
species, the mastodon and deinotherium. Antelopes and gazelles
wandered in vast troops over the plains of Hungary, Spain, and
Southern France. Carnivorous animals resembling tigers and
hyenas found abundance of animal food. Herds of horse-like