EAT:NA. The whole of Europe belongs to the Palearctic region of Wallace. but is divided into two subregions, that of northern Europe north of the Pyrenees, Alps, and Balkans, and that of the Mediterranean south of these moun tains. The richness of the fauna of central and northern Europe is due to the favorable climatic influences in the west and centre, the physio graphic contour of the land, and the rich vegeta tion, especially that of the forests. On the other hand, the great density of population has much reduced the numbers of the larger animals and has even rendered some species extinct. The characteristic mammals are the hear, lynx, badger, wolf, fox, otter, marten, ermine, pole cat, squirrel, marmot, mole, hedgehog, vole, shrew, dormouse. hare. and rabbit ; the wild cat tle have been almost exterminated by man. (See CATTLE.) Among the species peculiar to this region are the desman and the chamois. The Mediterranean subregion possesses the rich est fauna of the European Palearctie region, among the distinctive mammals being the fallow. deer, ibex, Alpine marmot, and eivet. This fauna extends also along the south shore of the Mediter ranean as far as the Atlas Mountains; and this northwest corner of Africa and the _Egean Islands contain a few species. like the wild sheep, not now known in Europe, but properly a part of its fauna.
The apes are not found in Europe save for a species of macaque in the neighborhood of Gib raltar, which is more nearly allied to the Asiatic simians than to the African. The bats, cats, dogs, martens, deer, hares, and mice are found throughout Europe. The hedgehogs are not found north of latitude GO° except in Scan dinavia, where they range a few degrees higher. The moles are found between latitudes 44° and N., and also range a little higher in Scandi navia. The otters and badger-like animals are found little above the Arctic Circle. The bears
are not found in the extreme west, though for merly inhabiting nearly the whole of France and the British Isles. The dormice are found in west ern Europe as far north as the 60th parallel, but in eastern Europe not above latitude 50°. The squirrels are found throughout Europe except at the extreme north. and the beavers south of lati tude 65°, but not in the extreme west and not be low the Alpine region. Swine are found south of 00°.
Of the birds, the most characteristic are the thrushes, syl•ine warblers, tits. pipits. wagtails, finches, snow-huntims, house-sparrows. crossbills, linnets, magpies, choughs, kingfishers, goat-suck ers. wood-pigeons, grouse, and ptarmigans. Of the larger birds may he mentioned the eagles, falcons, owls, and ravens. Many of the nu merous birds found in this region are annual migrants from the south.
Reptiles are comparatively scarce, there being found but 14 species of snakes and 12 of lizards. Only one North European serpent is venomous. f If the amphibians. several forms are peculiar to this region, among which are the eel-like pro teus, the curious toad ( Alytes), the !nabe of which ea rrios the eggs until they are hatched, and the Pelodytes, a frog peculiar to France. Frogs, toads. tree-toads, and newts are common.
The eharacteristie fresh-water fish are the sticklebacks, perch, sheatfish, pike, carp. gud geon, roach, elinb, dace, tench, bream, Ideal:, loath: and among sea -fish several species not known on the Ameriean shores of the Atlantic, of which the tunny and sole are most conspicu ous.
Insects are numerous, butterflies especially being very abundant, and the species widely spread, but no genera are peculiar to the region. This region is also rich in beetles and other in sect forms.