Caribou
Caribou
Brown Lemming
Brown Lemming
Meadow vole
Meadow vole
Haymouse (singing vole)
Haymouse (singing vole)
The Musk-Ox (Ovibos moschatus)
Another large mammal, perhaps less well known, is the Musk-Ox (Ovibos moschatus), which resembles in size the smaller varieties of Oxen, but in structure and habits is closely allied to the Sheep. As is implied by the specific name, it exhales a musky odour; this does not, however, appear to be due to the secretion of a special gland, as is the case in other animals with a similar smell. The skin is covered with long brown thickly-matted hair, interspersed with white. It is confined to the most northerly parts of North America and the American Arctic islands, and to North Greenland. Though not now living in the Old World, it seems formerly to have been abundant in Siberia, and, as we shall learn later on, it was one of the species which took part in the great Siberian invasion of Europe. Its remains have been found not only in Germany and France, but also in the south of England.
The Saiga-Antelope (Saiga tartarica)
Some of these, such as the Saiga-Antelope (Saiga tartarica), still inhabit portions of Eastern Europe, whilst others have retreated to their native land. But it might be asked, how is it known that these species did not originate in Europe, and thence migrate to Siberia? Because if they had originated on our continent, they would have spread there. They would have invaded Northern and Southern Europe, and they would probably have left some remains in Spain, Italy, or Greece.
Lion by Alfred Stevens
Lion from a Theban bas-relief
Persian Lion from the frieze at Susa (Perrot & chipiez)
Bear with two cubs
Bear with two cubs
Bear with cubs
Bear with cubs
Lion from Assyrian Bas-relief
Lion from Assyrian Bas-relief