- Acetabulum, the deep socket in the hip-bone for the head of the femur.
- Acromion, the projecting lower end of the spine of the shoulder-blade.
- Alisphenoid canal, canal in the base of the skull for the external carotid artery.
- †Allotheria, an extinct suborder of Mesozoic and Paleocene Marsupials.
- †Amblypoda, an extinct order of hoofed mammals.
- Anconeal fossa, a deep pit on the posterior side of the humerus, near the lower end.
- Anconeal process, see Olecranon.
- †Ancylopoda, an extinct suborder of Perissodactyla.
- Angle, of the lower jaw, the postero-inferior corner.
- Angular process, a hook-like projection from the angle of the lower jaw.
- Anterior nares, the forward opening of the nasal passage.
- Anthropoidea, Monkeys, Apes, Man; suborder of Primates.
- Appendicular skeleton, bones of the limbs and limb-girdles.
- Araucanian, Pliocene of Argentina, including the Catamarca and Monte Hermoso.
- Artiodactyl, see Artiodactyla.
- Artiodactyla, Cattle, Deer, Camels, Pigs, etc., etc., order of hoofed mammals.
- Ascending ramus, posterior, vertical portion of the lower jaw.
- Astragalus, the ankle-bone.
- Astraponotus Beds, upper Eocene or more probably, lower Oligocene of Patagonia.
- †Astrapotheria, an extinct order of hoofed mammals.
- Atlas, the first vertebra of the neck.
- Auditory bulla, one of a pair of inflated bony capsules at the base of the skull; the tympanic bone.
- Auditory meatus, the entrance to the bulla.
- Axial skeleton, the skull, backbone, ribs and breast-bone.
- Axis, the second vertebra of the neck.
- †Barytheria, an extinct order of elephant-like mammals.
- Biceps muscle, the large flexor muscle of the front of the upper arm; its contraction bends the elbow.
- Bicipital groove, a groove between the tuberosities of the humerus for the upper tendons of the biceps.
- Brachyodont, low-crowned teeth, with early-formed roots.
- Bridger stage, middle Eocene of N. W. America.
- Bunodont, teeth composed of conical tubercles.
- Calcaneum, the heel-bone.
- Cannon-bone, a compound bone formed by the coössification of two or more long bones of the foot.
- Cape Fairweather, marine Pliocene of Patagonia.
- Carnassial, a shearing, sectorial tooth in a flesh-eater.
- Carnivora, Wolves, Bears, Cats, etc., etc.; an order of placental mammals.
- Carnivorous, flesh-eating, predaceous.
- Carpal, one of the elements of the carpus.
- Carpus, the wrist-bones.
- Casa Mayor stage, terrestrial formation of Patagonia, probably Eocene.
- Catamarca, a Pliocene formation of Argentina.
- Caudal vertebræ, those of the tail.
- Central, a small carpal, wedged in between the two rows.
- Centrum, the body of a vertebra.
- Cervical vertebræ, those of the neck.
- Cetacea, Whales, etc.; a cohort of marine mammals.
- Chelodactyla, suborder of Perissodactyla.
- Chevron-bones, Y-shaped bones attached to the under side of the caudal vertebræ.
- Chevrotains, “Mouse Deer,” of the suborder Tragulina.
- Chiroptera, Bats, an order of placental mammals.
- Class, a group of the fifth order in classification.
- Clavicle, the collar-bone.
- Cnemial crest, a massive prominence on the front face of the tibia, near the upper end.
- Cohort, division of infraclass, containing a series of related orders.
- †Condylarthra, an extinct order of hoofed mammals.
- Condyle, a knob-like, articular protuberance.
- Convergence, or Convergent Evolution, similar forms resulting from two or more independent lines of descent.
- Coracoid, a hook-like bone, fused with the shoulder-blade in the higher mammals.
- Coronoid process, a projection in front of the condyle of the lower jaw, to which the temporal muscle is attached.
- Cotyles, concavities on the atlas to receive the occipital condyles of the skull.
- Cranium, the part of the skull above and behind the eyes, which lodges the brain and higher sense-organs.
- †Creodonta, an extinct suborder of the Carnivora.
- Cretaceous, third and last of the Mesozoic periods.
- Crown, the exposed part of a tooth.
- Deltoid crest, a ridge on the anterior face of the humerus for the attachment of the deltoid muscle.
- Dental formula, an arithmetical expression of the number and kinds of teeth.
- Dermoptera, Flying Lemur, order of placental mammals.
- Deseado stage, terrestrial formation of Patagonia, probably Oligocene.
- Didelphia, lower infraclass of the Eutheria.
- Digit, a finger or toe.
- Diprotodonta, Kangaroos, etc., a suborder of Marsupials.
- Dorsal vertebræ, those which carry ribs.
- Duplicidentata, Hares and Rabbits, suborder of Rodentia.
- Edentata, Sloths, Anteaters, etc., an order of placental mammals.
- Edentates, see Edentata.
- †Embrithopoda, an extinct order of elephant-like mammals.
- Embryo, young animal in early stages of development within the uterus.
- †Entelonychia, extinct suborder of the †Toxodontia.
- Eocene, second of the five Tertiary epochs.
- Epicondylar foramen, perforation of the internal epicondyle for transmission of the ulnar nerve.
- Epicondyle, a rough prominence on each end of the humeral trochlea.
- Epiphysis, the ends of the long bones, which ossify separately and do not coalesce with the shaft until growth ceases.
- Equus Beds, see Sheridan stage.
- Eutheria, the higher subclass of mammals; viviparous.
- Family, group of the third order in classification, typically containing several genera.
- Fauna, the totality of animals of a given time or place.
- Femur, the thigh-bone.
- Fibula, the external bone of the lower leg.
- Fissipedia, land-carnivores; suborder of the Carnivora.
- Flora, the totality of plants of a given time or place.
- Fœtus, young animal in the later stages of development within the uterus.
- Foramen, a perforation in a bone for the passage of a nerve or blood-vessel.
- Foramen magnum, the opening in the occiput for the passage of the spinal cord to the brain.
- Formation, a general term for a group of strata, laid down continuously and under uniform conditions.
- Frontal, one of a pair of bones which form the anterior part of the cranial roof; the forehead.
- Genus, group of the second order in classification, typically containing several species.
- Glenoid cavity, (of the squamosal) the articular surface for the condyle of the lower jaw; (of the scapula) the socket for the head of the humerus.
- Hallux, the first digit of the pes, or great toe.
- Herbivorous, plant-eating.
- †Homalodotheres, see †Entelonychia.
- Horizontal ramus, the tooth-carrying part of the lower jaw.
- Humerus, the bone of the upper arm.
- Hyoid arch, a series of bony rods, attached to the base of the cranium, for support of the tongue.
- †Hyopsodonta, an extinct suborder of the Insectivora.
- Hypsodont, high-crowned teeth, with late-formed roots.
- Hyracoidea, Klipdases, an order of hoofed mammals.
- Ilium, the anterior element of the hip-bone.
- Inferior maxillary, the lower jaw.
- Infraclass, division of subclass.
- Insectivora, Moles, Shrews, etc., an order of placental mammals.
- Ischium, the postero-superior element of the hip-bone.
- John Day stage, upper Oligocene of N. W. America.
- Jugal, the cheek-bone. See Malar.
- Jurassic, the second of the Mesozoic periods.
- Lachrymal, a small bone on the front edge of the orbit.
- Lachrymal foramen, a canal for the tear-duct piercing the lachrymal bone.
- Lemuroidea, Lemurs, suborder of the Primates.
- Lemurs, see Lemuroidea.
- Limb-girdles, the bones which attach the limbs to the body.
- Lipotyphla, suborder of the Insectivora.
- †Litopterna, extinct order of hoofed mammals.
- Loricata, Armadillos and Glyptodonts; the armoured Edentates.
- Lumbar vertebræ, those of the loins.
- Lunar, the middle bone in the upper row of the carpus.
- Magnum, the middle bone in the lower row of the carpus; supports the third digit or middle finger.
- Malar, cheek-bone. See Jugal.
- Malleolar bone, the lower end of the fibula, persisting as a separate bone after loss of the shaft.
- Malleolus, external, the lower end of the fibula.
- Malleolus, internal, process from the lower end of the tibia.
- Mammal, a warm-blooded vertebrate, which suckles its young.
- Mandible, the lower jaw.
- Manubrium, the anterior segment of the breast-bone.
- Manus, the hand or fore foot.
- Marsupial, see Marsupialia.
- Marsupialia, Opossums, Kangaroos, etc., etc.; only order of the infraclass Didelphia.
- Marsupium, the hairy pouch in which the young Marsupials are carried.
- Masseter muscle, a muscle of mastication, attached to the lower jaw and inferior border of the zygomatic arch.
- Mastoid, that part of the periotic bone which is exposed on the surface of the skull.
- Mastoid process, a spine-like outgrowth of the mastoid.
- Maxillary, the upper jaw-bone.
- Medullary cavity, the marrow cavity of a long bone.
- Mesozoic, the middle era of geological time.
- Metacarpal, a member of the metacarpus.
- Metacarpus, the long bones of the manus, or fore foot.
- Metapodial, a metacarpal or metatarsal.
- Metatarsal, a member of the metatarsus.
- Metatarsus, the long bones of the pes, or hind foot.
- Miocene, the fourth of the Tertiary epochs.
- Monodelphia, placental mammals; the higher infraclass of the Eutheria.
- Monophyletic, derived from a single line of ancestry.
- Monotremata, Duck-billed Mole and Spiny Anteaters; the only existing order of the Prototheria.
- Monte Hermoso stage, upper Pliocene of Argentina.
- Mouse Deer, chevrotains; suborder Tragulina.
- Mystacoceti, Whalebone Whales; order of the Cetacea.
- Nasal, one of a pair of bones, forming the roof of the nasal passage.
- Navicular, central bone of the tarsus.
- Neural arch, the bony arch of a vertebra.
- Neural canal, the cavity in the arch, lodging the spinal cord.
- Neural spine, or spinous process, the projection arising from the summit of the neural arch.
- Notostylops Beds, see Casa Mayor stage.
- Occipital condyles, a pair of knob-like protuberances from the occiput for articulation with the first vertebra.
- Occipital crest, an elevated bony ridge around the margin of the occiput.
- Occiput, the posterior surface of the skull.
- Odontoceti, Toothed Whales; order of Cetacea.
- Odontoid process, a peg-like projection from the body of the second vertebra, which fits into the ring of the first.
- Olecranon, the heavy projection from the upper end of the ulna, forming the point of the elbow.
- Oligocene, the third of the Tertiary epochs.
- Opposable, used of the thumb and great toe, when they can be opposed to the other digits.
- Orbit, the bony eye-socket.
- Order, a group of the fourth rank in classification, typically including many families.
- Oviparous, egg-laying.
- Palate, hard, the bony roof of the mouth.
- Palatine, one of a pair of bones which form the hinder part of the hard palate.
- Palatine process, a shelf-like projection of the maxillary, which forms most of the hard palate on each side.
- Paleocene, the oldest of the five Tertiary epochs.
- Palmate, form of antler in which the tines are fused into large plates.
- Pampean, Pleistocene, perhaps including the uppermost Pliocene, of Argentina.
- Parallelism, or Parallel Evolution, similar development of related, but separate series.
- Paraná stage, lower Pliocene (or perhaps upper Miocene) of Argentina.
- Parietal, one of a pair of large, vaulted bones, which form most of the sides and roof of the cranium.
- Paroccipital process, a bony projection from the infero-external angle of the occiput.
- Patagonian stage, marine lower Miocene of Patagonia.
- Patella, the knee-cap.
- Pecora, true Ruminants, suborder of Artiodactyla.
- Pelvic girdle, see Pelvis.
- Pelvis, the hip-bones.
- Periotic, a small, dense bone, which lodges the internal labyrinth of the ear.
- Pes, the hind foot.
- Petrosal, see Periotic.
- Phalanx, one of the joints of the fingers or toes.
- Pholidota, Pangolins or Scaly Anteaters; order of placental mammals.
- Phylum, a genetic series of ancestors and descendants within a family.
- Pilosa, Sloths, Anteaters, etc.; suborder of Edentata.
- Pinnipedia, Marine Carnivores; suborder of Carnivora.
- Pisiform, an accessory bone attached to the postero-external angle of the carpus.
- Placenta, a temporary structure connecting mother and fœtus, by means of which the fœtus is nourished in the womb.
- Placental, having a placenta; the Monodelphia.
- Pleistocene, the older of the two Quaternary epochs.
- Pliocene, the fifth and last of the Tertiary epochs.
- Pollex, the first digit of the manus, or thumb.
- Polyphyletic, derived from two or more distinct lines of ancestry.
- Polyprotodonta, Opossums, etc.; suborder of Marsupials.
- Posterior nares, the hinder opening of the nasal passage.
- Postglenoid process, a bony ridge behind the glenoid cavity of the squamosal to prevent backward dislocation of the jaw.
- Postorbital process, a bony projection from the frontal or jugal, bounding the eye-socket behind.
- Premaxillary, the anterior bone of the upper jaw, carrying the incisor teeth.
- Primates, Lemurs, Monkeys, Apes and Man; cohort and order of placental mammals.
- Proboscidea, Elephants, etc.; order of hoofed mammals.
- Process, a distinct prominence or projection of bone for the attachment of muscle or ligament.
- †Proglires, an extinct suborder of the Insectivora.
- Prototheria, most primitive subclass of mammals; oviparous.
- Pubis, the postero-inferior element of the hip-bone.
- Pyramidal, the external bone in the upper row of the carpus.
- †Pyrotheria, an extinct suborder of †Toxodontia.
- Pyrotherium Beds, see Deseado stage.
- Radius, the internal bone of the fore-arm.
- Rodent, see Rodentia.
- Rodentia, Gnawers; order of placental mammals.
- Rotular groove, a broad, shallow groove on the anterior face of the femur, near the lower end, in which the knee-cap glides.
- Round ligament, the ligament between the head of the femur and a pit in the acetabulum of the hip-bone.
- Sacral vertebræ, those of the sacrum.
- Sacrum, a bony mass of fused vertebræ, for the support of the hip-bones.
- Sagittal crest, a ridge of bone in the median line of the cranial roof, running forward from the occipital crest.
- Scaphoid, the inner bone in the upper row of the carpus.
- Scapho-lunar, a compound bone made up of the coalesced scaphoid, lunar and central.
- Scapula, the shoulder-blade.
- Section, primary division of a suborder.
- Sectorial, a carnassial or shearing tooth of a flesh-eater.
- Selenodont, teeth composed of crescent-shaped cusps.
- Shaft, the body of a long bone, comprising most of its length.
- Sheridan stage, older Pleistocene of the Great Plains.
- Shoulder-girdle, the bones to which the fore limb is attached.
- Simplicidentata, Squirrels, Rats, Porcupines, etc., etc.; suborder of Rodentia.
- Sinus, an air-cavity in one of the skull-bones.
- Sirenia, Sea Cows and Dugong; order of marine mammals.
- Species, the unit group in classification, made up of individuals which are most closely similar.
- Spine, (of the scapula) a bony ridge on the outside of the shoulder-blade; (of the tibia) a single or double prominence from the upper end of the shin-bone; (of a vertebra) the neural spine.
- Squamosal, a bone forming the posterior side-wall of the cranium.
- Sternal ribs, the inferior segments of the ribs, which articulate with the breast-bone.
- Sternum, the breast-bone.
- Stratum, a layer of bedded rock.
- Subclass, primary division of class.
- Subfamily, a group of related genera within the family.
- Subgenus, a group of related species within the genus.
- Suborder, primary division of order.
- Subspecies, a definite subdivision of a species.
- Suina, swine-like animals; suborder of Artiodactyla.
- Superfamily, a group of related families.
- Superorder, a group of related orders.
- Supinator ridge, a crest on the outer side, near the lower end of the humerus, for attachment of the supinator muscle.
- Symphysis, the line of junction of the two halves of the lower jaw.
- Synonym, a name improperly given to a genus or species already named.
- †Tæniodontia, an extinct order of clawed mammals.
- Tarsal, an element of the tarsus.
- Tarsus, the bones of the ankle-joint.
- Temporal muscle, a muscle of mastication attached to the side of the cranium and the coronoid process of the lower jaw.
- Tertiary, the more ancient of the two Cenozoic periods.
- Thoracic vertebræ, see Dorsal.
- Thorax, the bony frame-work of the chest.
- Tibia, the shin-bone, internal bone of the lower leg.
- †Tillodontia, an extinct order of clawed mammals.
- †Toxodonta, an extinct suborder of the †Toxodontia.
- †Toxodontia, an extinct order of hoofed mammals.
- †Toxodonts, see †Toxodonta.
- Tragulina, “Mouse Deer”; suborder of Artiodactyla.
- Transverse processes, projections from the sides of a vertebra.
- Trapezium, internal bone in the lower row of the carpus; supports the first digit, or thumb.
- Trapezoid, second bone in the lower row of the carpus; supports the second digit, or index finger.
- Triassic, first of the three Mesozoic periods.
- †Triconodonta, an extinct suborder of Mesozoic Marsupials.
- †Trituberculata, an extinct order of Mesozoic mammals.
- Trochanter, a projection from the femur.
- Trochanter, third, a hook-like process on the outer side of the shaft of the femur, near the middle of its length.
- Trochlea, the pulley-shaped lower end of the humerus for articulation with the fore-arm bones.
- Trunk vertebræ, those of the body, the dorsals and lumbars.
- Tubercle, an articular projection on a rib, connecting with the transverse process of a dorsal vertebra.
- Tuberosities (of the humerus), heavy projections from the upper end of the bone, in front of the head.
- Tubulidentata, the Aard Vark; an order of placental mammals.
- Tylopoda, Camels and Llamas; suborder of Artiodactyla.
- Tympanic, a bone forming the support of the ear-drum and usually inflated into a hollow capsule.
- †Typotheres, see †Typotheria.
- †Typotheria, an extinct suborder of the †Toxodontia.
- Ulna, the external bone of the fore-arm.
- Unciform, the external bone in the lower row of the carpus; supports the fourth and fifth digits, or ring and little fingers.
- Unconformity, the relation between two groups of strata, one of which was deposited upon the worn surface or upturned edges of the other.
- Ungual phalanx, the terminal joint of a digit, which supports the claw, nail or hoof.
- Unguiculata, clawed mammals; cohort of Monodelphia.
- Ungulata, hoofed mammals; cohort of Monodelphia.
- Ungulates, see Ungulata.
- Uterus, the womb.
- Vagina, the genital canal of the female.
- Variety, a more or less constant group within a species.
- Vertebra, a joint of the backbone.
- Vertebral column, the backbone.
- Viviparous, producing living young.
- †Zeuglodontia, an extinct order of Cetacea.
- Zygapophyses, the projecting processes, by means of which successive vertebræ are articulated together.
- Zygomatic arch, a bony bridge from the eye-socket to the hinder part of the cranium.
About This Book
The work surveys the fossil record of terrestrial mammals across the Americas, outlining successive faunal assemblages from early epochs through the Pleistocene and examining patterns of evolution and extinction. It combines descriptive accounts of notable discoveries and museum holdings with explanatory chapters on mammalian skeletons, dentition, classification, and geological context, offering a nontechnical glossary and guidance for readers to interpret bones and teeth. Illustrated plates and drawings support discussions of major groups and paleontological methods, while attention to comparative anatomy and stratigraphic evidence links fossil forms to broader questions of environmental change and biogeographic history.