sqad dhe Dates of Plier ‘cbs \ i 9 — 8b Ve ra (\LF5—22b 11) —308 309—d1b Oe Lge — 534. =e Ses W eee \5 —24 15 — 30 3; —L3 Ly— Sy 55 — br L3— 87 88 —Q2. TRANSACTIONS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. VOLUME VI. %j LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY : SOLD AT THEIR HOUSE IN HANOVER-SQUARE; AND BY MESSRS. LONGMANS, GREEN. READER, AND DYER, PATERNOSTER-ROW, 1869. CONTENTS. I. On the Characters and Affinities of Potamogale, a genus of Insectivorous Mammals. By Guorce J. Auman, F.R.S., Corr. Mem. Zool. Soc. Lond., Regius Professor of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh, and oes Keeper of the Edin- burgh Museum of Natural History. . . . . See ER pACeML Il. On some Indian Cetacea collected by Water Exuiot, Esg. By Professor Owen, roe PE ILA Ee ON oat pe wes ge ee ee eme Ill. On the Osteology of the Dodo ea ineptus, Linn. 2 By Professor Owsn, F.R.S., TELS EOE. a ee c MRR I nes UES LSS aR Re eek staan IV. Description of the Skeleton ay Inia geoffrensis and of the Skull of Pontoporia blainvillii, with Remarks on the Systematic Position of these Animals in the Order Cuvacea. By Wiut1am Henry Fuowsr, /.BS., FRCS. FZS., &e., Conservator of the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England . 87 V. On a Raptorial Bird transmitted by Mr. Anprrsson from Damara Land. By J. H. GiRNEAELY ZS ee ey ee rr do een a Shag ep ae Aeen cotta a Lf, VI. On some Fossil Birds from the Zebbug Cave, Malta. By W. K. Parker, ERS., IRSA UCR gen een ae SE Sig MS RES AE or on aL VIL. Synopsis of the species of recent Crocodilians or Emydosaurians, chiefly founded on the specimens in the British Museum and the Royal College f Surgeons. By Dr. Jonn Epwarp Gray, F.B.S., V.P.Z.S., PDS. de... PEM tee AS) VIII. Note to Memoir on the Indian Cetacea collected by SiR Waurer Exuior. By Pro- fecacHOWINN HES: EN Zi Gs. sila: Geek en Se ey capaci aoe ie TE IX. Contributions towards a more complete knowledge of the Skeleton of the Primates. By Sv. Guorce Mrvart, F.L.S., Lecturer on Comparative Anatomy at St. Mary's Hospital. Part 1. The Appendicular Skeleton of Simia. . . . . . - 175 X. Description of the Remains of three extinct Species of Elephant, collected by Captain Spratt, O.B., R.N., in the Ossiferous Cavern of Zebbug, in the Island of Malta. By Guorce Busx, F.R.S.; partly i the Notes eee the late H. Fauconer, M.D., BETIS ooh sco tek sp Ata: vse ge! ‘ : MLE tay cil ape eal) iv CONTENTS. XI. On «a Species of Dormouse (Myoxus) occurring in the Fossil state in Malta. By AL Lame Anams, OB: FoGA8s 0. Ue a Ss beds Fs Deo XII. On the Osteology of the Cachalot or Sperm-Whale (Physeter macrocephalus). By Wim Henry Frowrer, 7.2.S., ARCS. PLS., F.GS., F.Z.S., Conservator of the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England . . . . . 309 XIII. On a Picture supposed to represent the Didine Bird of the Island of Bourbon (Réunion). By Atrrep Newton, W.A., P.LS., F.ZS., de. . . . . . 378 XIV. An account of the Fishes of the States of Central America, based on collections made by Capt. J. M. Dow, F. Gopmay, Esq., and O. Satvin, Esq. By ALBERT Gunman i Al MD PhD ERS: ELS ees) ia oe naires et BT XV. On Drvornis (Part XI.): containing a Description of the Inteqgument of the Sole, and Tendons of a Toe, of the Foot a Dinornis robustus, Ow. By Professor OWEN, BISA, Ge 3. be ep ee Weatn yi gs Se sag ag eee EOD XVI. On Divornis (Part XII.): containing a Description of the Femur, Tibia, and Meta- tarsus of Dinornis maximus, Owen. By Professor OwEn, F.R.S., F.Z.S., &e. 497 XVII. On the Osteology A the Batu CE ae dee ¥ W. K. Parker, FBS PZ ae es ; gn, et ONE TRANSACTIONS OF is 40:0 LOG LG. A,L,,S OCI ET Y. I. On the Characters and Affinities of Potamogale, a genus of Insectivorous Mammals. By Gzoren J. Auiman, F.R.S., Corr. Mem. Zool. Soc. Lond., Regius Professor of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh, and Regius Keeper of the Edinburgh Museum of Natural History. Read June 13th, 1863. {Puaves I, & II.] A SMALL mammal, with which I was entirely unacquainted, was lately placed in my hands by Mr. Archibald Hewan, who had just returned to this country from the west coast of Africa, where he had been for some time residing, at Old Calabar, in the capacity of medical missionary. The notes which accompanied the specimen were scanty. It is stated to have been observed by one of the natives on the banks of a stream, when it was pursued, and killed, and taken to the missionary-station, where, after having been partly eviscerated, it was put into spirits. In this condition it was brought to England by Mr. Hewan, along with various other objects of interest from the same quarter*. A little examination was sufficient to show that the Old Calabar mammal belonged to the order Jnsectivora, but that, with a well-marked insectivorous organization, it possessed characters of a very peculiar kind, and such as separated it widely from every genus hitherto referred to this order. While engaged in preparing a description of the new insectivore, I showed the speci- men to Mr. Sclater, the accomplished Secretary of the Zoological Society, who at once recognized it as identical with a very badly preserved skin which had been brought * The specimen is now preserved in the Edinburgh Museum of Natural History. VOL. VI.—PART I. B 2 PROFESSOR ALLMAN ON THE CHARACTERS over by Mr. Du Chaillu from tropical Africa, and which forms at present part of the collection in the British Museum. ‘his skin, however, is in a wretched condition; the skull and teeth are altogether absent, and the specimen is otherwise mutilated; so that it had been quite impossible to obtain from it characters which might enable its zoolo- gical affinities to be satisfactorily determined. Mr. Du Chaillu, however, had already described the animal from his mutilated skin, aided by his recollection of it when alive; and I am indebted to Mr. Sclater for having directed my attention to an article* in the ‘ Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History,’ in which the African traveller describes, among other animals from equatorial Africa, that to which the skin in question belonged, referring it to the carnivorous genus Cynogale, under the name of Cynogale velox, Du Chaillu. Mr. Du Chaillu, however, is not without doubt as to the correctness of assigning his new animal to the genus Cynogale; and having in view the possibility of its being afterwards deemed desirable to construct for it a separate genus, he suggests the name of Potamogale as a provisional generic appellation. The skin having been subsequently secured for the British Museum, it was examined by Dr. J. E. Gray, who disputed the justice of Du Chaillu’s determination of its affinities, and maintained not only that it had no relation with Cynogale, but that it probably did not even belong to the order Carnivora, while he suspected that its real relations would be found with the Rodentia. Under this impression, he proposed for it a new generic name; and the Cynogale velox of Du Chaillu became the Mythomys velox of Gray f. Dr. Gray’s characterization of his new genus is much more correct than that given by Mr. Du Chaillu; but, as just said, not a remnant of the dentition had been left in the skin, which was in other respects so very imperfect that it can afford no matter of surprise to find so experienced and excellent a zoologist as Dr. Gray failing to discover its true affinities; and it is only-the chance which has thrown a comparatively well-preserved specimen into my hands that has enabled me to determine the real position and rela- tions of this remarkable mammal. It is not always that provisional names ought to be accepted; they are not unfre- quently a mere subterfuge, in which the ignorance or incapacity of the describer of some new species seeks to take refuge without his thereby abrogating his claim to be regarded as the original namer, though sounder views of the obvious facts may prove the incorrectness of his determination. But when, as in the present case, the actual absence of data renders it impossible to determine important characters, the describer is quite justified in making the best of the material at his disposal, and, by the suggestion of a provisional name, reserving to himself the right of giving this name to his discovery, if further facts rendering it expedient should be brought to light. * Du Chaillu, “On Animals from Equatorial Africa believed to be new,’ Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., yol. vii. p. 353. + Proe. Zool. Soe., 1861, p. 275. AND AFFINITIES OF POTAMOGALE. 3 It is exactly in this position that Mr. Du Chaillu’s name of Potamogale stands: it has thus precedence over Gray’s name of Mythomys; and the laws of natural-history nomenclature compel us to accept it. The synonomy of Mr. Du Chaillu’s animal will accordingly stand as follows :—Potomogale (prov. gen.) velox, Du Chaillu,=Cynogale veloa, Du Chaillu,= Wythomys velox, Gray (gen.). External Characters and Teeth. Potamogale velox (Plate I.) is somewhat larger than a stoat; it has very much the aspect of a small otter, but is rendered especially striking by its broad, almost spatuli- form muzzle and its very large laterally compressed tail. Both fore and hind limbs are short and nearly equal to one another in length. ‘The body is clothed with somewhat coarse but soft hair, which projects from a shorter dense coat of very fine silky hairs ; and the same kind of clothing covers the base of the tail as far as an oblique line which terminates below at about an inch behind the vent, and above at about an inch still further back; the whole of the rest of the tail is covered with short, coarse, closely appressed hairs. ‘The sides of the upper lip give origin to stiff bristle-like whiskers, which commence at the point of the nose, and continue to be borne as far back as a point nearly vertically over each angle of the mouth, increasing in length and thickness from before backwards; the most anterior are short and incline forwards, and they then acquire more and more of a backward direction until we find the most posterior Fig. 1. Hair from the body of Potamogale veloa.—A, one of the longer hairs, magnified about ten diameters; B, a por- : : ; ora tion of one of the shorter and ner hairs, magnified about 40 diameters to show its atructure 5 aya plete from near the middle of the narrow basal portion of A; a*, from the middle of the broad terminal lamina ; and a®, the terminal portion of the lamina: the last three magnified about 40 diameters. attaining a length of nearly two inches, and inserted so obliquely that their tips are nearly an inch behind the ears; a few stiff bristles also arise from the cheeks, a little below and in front of the ears. The underside of the muzzle is clothed towards its 1 PROFESSOR ALLMAN ON THE CHARACTERS extremity with very short hairs, which gradually increase in length as they approach the angles of the mouth. The upper side of the head, with the back and the entire tail, and the outer side of the fore and hind limbs are dark brown. The whole of the underside of the body, from the extremity of the nose to the vent, is brownish yellow. The fine hairs which constitute the shorter and denser coat are seen under the microscope to be of uniform thickness, with the cortical substance presenting an im- bricated structure, and the cells composing the medullary substance so disposed as to give a septate appearance to the interior of the hair(fig. 1B). The long hairs, a, which project from this coat have a remarkable form: commencing very thin at the bulb, they gradually increase in thickness for about a third of the entire length of the hair, then suddenly contract, and immediately after expand into a broad lanceolate lamina, which terminates in a fine point. The basal portion of these hairs has a thin imbri- cated cortical investment and medullary contents, which consist of an aggregation of small spherical cells (a'). In the broad lamina, the cortical portion has acquired greater thickness, has lost its imbricated character, and is seen to be composed of minute longi- tudinally arranged fusiform cells; the medullary substance is here composed of aggre- gated spherical cells like those of the basal portion of the hair, and dies out before it reaches the point (a°, a’). The remarkable difference thus observed between the two kinds of hair presents us with a condition not unusual among the Insectivora, and one which finds its maximum in the aculeate genera of this order. Fig. 3. Head viewed from above. Head viewed from below. The muzzle is long and broad, and so much appressed as to acquire a somewhat spatu- late form (figs. 2, 3). It projects in front for half an inch beyond the extremity of the lower jaw, and for more than a quarter of an inch beyond the jaw at its sides; the angles of the mouth are situated at about a quarter of an inch in front of a vertical line from the eyes. Each nostril opens beneath the external edge of a cartilaginous valve, which AND AFFINITIES OF POTAMOGALE. 9) extends over it from the septum, and by which it may be completely closed; the two valves form together a heart-shaped, naked shield by which the muzzle is terminated. The ears (fig. 4) are inserted about half an inch behind the eyes, and project for about the same distance from the head. They are rounded, Fig. 4. the breadth being about two-thirds of the height ; and at about one-fourth from the summit they have a deep notch on their posterior edge: the upper fourth is quite naked, but the rest is clothed with silky hairs. The helix is distinct anteriorly and posteriorly, but is obsolete towards the tip; the anthelix is represented by a short, nearly trans- verse ridge; the tragus is indistinct, but the anti- 4 | Wil \ he | ~ tragus is well developed. The eyes are very small. The opening of the eyelids, when fully expanded, is one-tenth of an inch in its antero-posterior, and a little less in its vertical diameter; it leads into an oval palpebral chamber, which extends for some distance beneath the anterior and posterior margins, somewhat further posteriorly than anteriorly. In the specimen, the globe of the eye was retracted into this cavity, and thus rendered difficult to detect ; it is about one-twelfth of an inch in diameter, and, so far as could be determined from the state of the specimen, is completely developed, and receives an optic nerve fully proportioned to its size. The fore limbs, as far as the wrist, are clothed with moderately long hair, which on the back of the metacarpal bones becomes very short and appressed, and is thus continued over the back of the fingers as far as the claws; the whole of the palm, with the under- side of the fingers, is naked (fig. 5a). The fingers are five in number, and are connected at their bases by a very narrow extension of the skin, but nothing like a distinct web is developed ; they gradually increase in length from the outer finger to the middle, which is the longest of all; the index is a very little shorter than the annularis; and the pollex, which is inserted a little further back than the index, is the shortest. The claws are of mo- derate size, nearly equal on all the fingers, compressed, curved, and with a furrow on the underside. The hind limbs are clothed, as far as the tarsus, with moderately long hair, which becomes short and appressed upon the entire back of the foot as far as the claws ; the entire sole of the foot is naked (fig. 58). The toes are five in Right ear, enlarged. : Feet, plantar surface.— number; the outer and inner toes are the shortest, the A. Right anterior. inner being a little shorter than the outer; the second, B. Right posterior. third, and fourth are nearly equal to one another in length ; the second and third are 6 PROFESSOR ALLMAN ON THE CHARACTERS united by their opposed surfaces for the entire length of the first phalanx, a very narrow extension of the skin existing at the base of the other digital intervals; the claws are of the same form as those of the fore limbs, but are a little longer. The outer edge of the sole projects as a narrow membranous border along the whole of the metatarsal region. The length of the tail, measured from the posterior margin of the vent, is equal to the distance from the same point to the middle of the throat. It is so thick at its base that the trunk seems uninterruptedly continued into it; but it soon becomes laterally compressed, and then grows gradually thinner and narrower towards the tip ; immediately-in front of the vent it is nearly cylindrical, with a diameter of about 153; inch ; from this point it gradually thins away, and, at an inch beyond it, its vertical height is 15 inch, and its breadth 34, inch; while at three inches from the same point its height is 1 inch, and its thickness 34; inch; its lower edge is rounded, and its upper is continued into a membranous crest of about } inch in height, and clothed with the same short, stiff, appressed hairs with which the distal part of the tail is covered. : Teeth—The determination of the dental formula is not without difficulty. . The incisor teeth of the upper jaw (Pl. I. & fig. 7, p. 10) can be easily ascertained by the limits of the premaxillary, whose suture with the maxillary continues very distinct. They will be found to be three on each side, though one of them closely resembles a large projecting canine ; so also to the first three teeth on each side in the lower jaw the same significance must be assigned. A difficulty, however, lies in the tooth which in each jaw succeeds to the incisors. In position itis a canine, but in form it isa premolar. It follows close upon the third incisor, without the intervention of any distinct diastema; but in the upper jaw it is two-fanged, and in other respects is entirely similar to the premolar which follows it ; in the lower jaw, however, it is implanted by a single fang, and does not so entirely resemble the succeeding premolar as in the upper jaw; this lower tooth passes imme- diately in front of the upper one when the jaw is closed, and must certainly be regarded as its equivalent. Considering, therefore, that in the upper jaw the tooth in question is absolutely similar both in its root and in its crown to an indubitable premolar, I believe we may safely regard it and its corresponding tooth in the lower jaw as premolars rather than canines; and the dentition of Potamogale will then present a series in which the canine teeth are suppressed, and which may be formulated as follows :— esis p 2th pe ea als 3-3’ "0-04" 3-3’ * 3-3? In the upper jaw the first incisor resembles a canine ; it projects more than any other tooth in the jaw; it is conical and pointed, converging above from its base toward its fellow, and then diverging below so as to form a curve whose concavity looks outwards; it is curved also in another direction, having the concavity looking backwards. The >I AND AFFINITIES OF POTAMOGALE. second incisor is separated from the first by a narrow space which receives the second incisor of the lower jaw when the mouth is closed ; it is triangular, compressed, with a sharp anterior and a sharp posterior edge—the anterior edge being convex, and the posterior slightly concave. The third incisor is of the same form as the second, but a little smaller. The incisors are each implanted by a single fang. Since in the view here adopted the canine is supposed to be absent, the first pre- molar follows immediately on the third incisor, with an interval so slight as to have no claim to be regarded as a distinct diastema; it is inserted by two fangs; its crown is slightly larger than that of the third incisor, but otherwise it resembles it. The second premolar is also implanted by two fangs, and is otherwise similar to the first. The third has the form of a triangular pyramid, with a small cusp developed from the posterior internal basal angle, and another from the posterior external; it is implanted by three fangs. The first, second, and third true molars are similar to one another: they are trian- gular in horizontal section, with» the apex of the triangle situated internally; the greatest antero-posterior diameter of the crown is to its transverse diameter as 2:3; the internal. angle of the crown presents a single cusp; the centre, two; and the external side projects downwards as a tuberculate ridge; they are each implanted by three fangs. In the lower jaw (Pl. II. & fig. 8, p. 11) the incisors present, as in the upper, the usual single-fanged insertion. ‘The first is very small, chisel-shaped, and with its crown converging to that of its fellow. The second incisor is high, conical, curved, with the concavity of the curve looking backwards, and presenting from its base to its apex two surfaces separated by a sharp ridge; it is sharp-pointed, and resembles a canine ; it is the most projecting tooth in the jaw. The third incisor is small, irregularly conical, convex anteriorly, concave posteriorly ; it is the smallest of the teeth, except the first incisov. The first premolar is triangular, compressed, with a sharp convex anterior edge and a sharp concave posterior edge ; it has but a single fang. The second premolar is trian- gular, compressed, with sharp anterior and posterior edges; it is implanted by two fangs; its crown is a little lower than that of the first, but it otherwise resembles it. The third premolar is a little larger than the first, triangular, compressed, with sharp anterior and posterior edges; the anterior and posterior basal angles have each a small tubercle; it is implanted by two fangs. The first, second, and third true molars are prismatic, and equal in height to the second premolar; the crown is furnished with three cusps in front and a single one on a lower level behind. They are each implanted by two fangs. A very striking aspect is given to the dental series by the form of the crowns of the second, third, fourth, and fifth teeth of the upper jaw, which are all triangular, much compressed, with sharp anterior and posterior edges, thus vividly reminding us of the teeth of certain sharks. In this respect they resemble the premolar teeth of the viver- 8 PROFESSOR ALLMAN ON THE CHARACTERS ridan genus Cynogale—a resemblance which did not escape Mr. Du Chaillu, and which, doubtless, decided him in referring his animal to that genus. The characters thus presented by Potamogale velox would justify a belief-in the aquatic habits of the animal. Indeed it is scarcely possible to connect with any other mode of life the valvular nostrils, and broad, strong, vertically flattened tail, with (as will be presently seen) its greatly developed hzemal arches. The trenchant incisors and premolars, so like the teeth of a shark, also point to the same conclusion, and indicate a diet exceptional among the Insectivora*. Skeleton. (Plate IT.) Cervical Region.—The transverse process of the atlas is broad and flattened horizon- tally. ‘The neural spine is reduced toa mere tubercle. The body of the axis is carinated below; its transverse processes are short, narrow, and directed backwards, while the neural spine forms a large, vertical, laterally compressed, sharp-edged, and hatchet- shaped plate. In the third cervical, the transverse process is longer and thicker. In the fourth and fifth, the pleurapophysis forms a flat process coalescent with the diapo- physis, and extends forwards with a sharp angle, so as to slightly underlap the vertebra in front; while in the sixth it becomes much larger and hatched-shaped, and extends backwards so as to underlap the seventh. ‘The transverse process of the seventh has no canal for the vertebral artery, and consists of a simple stiliform diapophysis. The neural spines of the third, fourth, and fifth cervical are very short, those of the sixth and seventh longer. From the inferior surface of the body of the third, fourth, and fifth cervical a prominent hypapophysis is developed, which becomes smaller in the sixth and seventh, Dorsal and lumbar Region —There are sixteen, dorsal and five lumbar vertebee. The commencement of a metapophysis shows itself in the second dorsal, acquires greater length in the third, still greater in the fourth, and then continues of equal length as a long blunt process on every vertebra as far as the twelfth; on the thirteenth dorsal it becomes shorter, and is here associated with a short anapophysis, and then continues of the same length, but broader, on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth dorsal, and on the whole of the lumbar. On the last three dorsal vertebrae the anapophysis * The account which Mr. Du Chaillu (Joe. cit.) has given us of the habits of his Potamogale velo is entirely in accordance with what the structure of the animal would suggest. “This extraordinary animal,” he says, “is found in the mountains of the interior, or in the hilly country explored by me north and south of the equator. Itis found along the water-courses of limpid and clear streams, where fish are abundant; it hides under rocks along these streams, lying in wait for fish. It swims through the water with a rapidity which astonished me ; before the fish has time to move, it iscaught. On account of the rapidity of its movements, T have given it the specific name of velox. The animal returns to land with its prey almost as rapidly as it started from its place of concealment. The great motive power of the animal in the water seems to be in its tail.” AND AFFINITIES OF POTAMOGALE. 9 becomes separated by a wide interval from the metapophysis, and then disappears on the first lumbar. No diapophyses are developed on the fifteenth and sixteenth dorsal ; but they reappear on the first lumbar, and constitute broad, flat processes, directed downward and outward and a little forward, on all the lumbar. The diapophysis of the first lumbar is terminated by a flat, nearly square pleurapophysis, which appears as a simple continuation of the diapophysis, but whose line of junction with it still remains distinct. The neural spine of the first dorsal is nearly vertical, long, and slightly compressed ; those of the second, third, and fourth are equal to it in length, and of a similar form, but incline more backwards, the inclination gradually increasing to the fourth; from the fifth to the tenth, the neural spines are stiliform, gradually decreasing in length, and incline so much backwards that the anterior rests upon the posterior; and the vertebre here present a remarkably imbricated appearance; from the eleventh to the thirteenth, the neural spines are shorter, and incline less backwards; they then assume the form of laterally compressed vertical plates, gradually increasing in size to the first lumbar, whence they continue of nearly the same form and size to the fifth lumbar. From the body of the first dorsal a small hypapophysis is developed ; it becomes some- what larger on the second, third, and fourth, is reduced to a nearly obsolete keel on the fifth, and then entirely disappears. The ribs are sixteen in number, of which the first nine articulate with the sternum ; the remainder are free. The first is the shortest and stoutest; its cartilage is broad and flat, and articulates with the manubrium; of the remaining ribs, the last two arti- culate with the bodies only of their respective vertebra, while the others articulate also with the transverse processes. The sternum is composed of eight pieces: the manubrium is spade-shaped; from the second to the sixth, they form quadilateral prisms, gradually decreasing in length and increasing in breadth; the seventh is nearly cubical, with two surfaces posteriorly for the articulation of the cartilage of the eighth pair of ribs; the eighth piece is long and appressed, and carries the small xiphoid cartilage on its extremity. Sacral and caudal Regions.—There are three sacral and thirty-three caudal vertebre, the ossa innominata being united to the first and second sacral. The neural spines, metapophyses, and diapophyses continue to be well developed on the sacral and for some distance on the caudal vertebre; they then gradually diminish on the caudal vertebree with the diminishing size of these, until towards the end of the tail they dis- appear, and the vertebra become reduced to minute centra. All the caudal vertebra, from the second to about the twenty-third, are provided with chevron bones: towards the proximal end of the tail these bones are remarkably large; they then gradually diminish in size, and become mere rumdients before their final disappearance. They are each articulated in an intervertebral space; most of them deyelope a short hemai spine, and send off at each side from their lower surface a broad horizontal plate. VOL. VI.—PART I. C 10 PROFESSOR ALLMAN ON THE CHARACTERS The Skull.—Viewed in its vertical aspect, the skull presents a piriform shape between the occiput and a line immediately behind the orbits, and then, becoming suddenly con- tracted, it is bounded by parallel sides as far as the end of the muzzle, interrupted, however, by the projection of the posterior part of the alveolar Fig. 6. border of the maxillaries. ‘The profile contour of the skull, from the lambdoidal crest to the nostril, is nearly a straight line. The basioccipital is thin and flat, broader than long, and extends forwards as far as the junction of the posterior and middle thirds of the tympanic bulle. The occipital condyles are large, about a line distant from one another below; and thence extending upwards and outwards, they reach a point a little above the level of the superior margin of the foramen magnum. The foramen magnum is trans- versely oval; its plane extends upwards and backwards at an angle of about 100° with the base of the skull. The supraoccipital extends upwards and forwards, and forms by its upper and outer edge a well- marked, sharp, lambdoidal ridge. The paramastoids constitute two small but well-marked processes, which extend horizontally backwards, Skull, vertical as- pect: nat. size. The anterior condyloid foramina are very large. The basispenoid is broad behind at its junction with the basioccipital, and then rapidly contracts as it passes forwards, forming on the cerebral aspect a narrow vertical crest between the internal openings of the foramina lacera anteriora: there are no clinoid processes. Fig. 7. Skull, basal aspect: twice the nat. size. The tympanic and petrosal bones unite to form tympano-petrosal bull of moderate size. The sagittal suture is obliterated, its place being taken by a nearly obsolete sagittal crest. The coronal suture is very faintly indicated by a line which forms an arch, very con noite i 4 eeu . . és ; cave in front, where it embraces the posterior margin of the frontal bones. These are AND AFFINITIES OF POTAMOGALE. 11 nairow, forming by their union a very convex margin posteriorly, which is received between the parietals and a deep notch anteriorly, which receives the nasal bones. The frontals are entirely excluded from the orbits by the anterior extension of the _ parietals, which, passing between them and the lachrymals, are separated from the maxillaries by a very narrow extension of the lachrymals, which ascends to unite with the frontal. The frontal suture is obliterated posteriorly, but anteriorly it continues as an harmonia. ‘The nasal bones are long and flat, forming a very convex edge posteriorly, where they are received between the frontals, while their anterior free edge presents a wide semicircular notch. The nasal suture, except for a short distance posteriorly, is entirely obliterated; the external edges of the single bone, thus formed, are nearly straight and parallel. The zygomatic process of the squamosal forms a small, horizontal, triangular plate, whose lower side affords a surface for the glenoid cavity. This cavity is bounded behind by a broad vertical process, which checks the retraction of the mandible; the axis of the cavity is inwards and slightly forwards. The facial plate of the maxillary is united internally with the premaxillary, the nasal, and the frontal, anteriorly with the premaxillary, and Fie. 8. posteriorly with the lachrymal. The alveolar margin for the ‘ hindmost four teeth projects outwards and backwards, form- ing, by its coalescence with the rudimental malar, a com- pressed, sharp-edged process. ‘There is no zygomatic arch. The antorbital foramen is very large. The orbits are very badly defined; they are marked by no postorbital process, and are continued without interruption into the wide tem- poral fossa. The palatine plates of the maxillary form the greater por- tion of the palate; the palatines form the posterior third, and the premaxillaries about a sixth. Two large incisive notches exist in the premaxillary, and are completed into foramina by the anterior edge of the palatine plate of the maxillary. The pterygoid ridges converge from before backwards, and enclose a deep, narrow interpterygoid fossa, whcse roof is continued without interruption into the inferior surface of the basisphenoid and basiocciptal. The horizontal ramus of the mandible is straight, with its upper and lower edge parallel; it forms with its fellow an acute angle, with a rather long and very oblique symphysis. The condyle is borne on a distinct neck; its axis is directed inwards and slightly downwards and forwards. The posterior margin of the ascending ramus is thin, and runs from the neck of the condyle upwards and slightly forwards to the coronoid process, and downwards and backwards to the prominent hook-like angle. The anterior c2 Lower jaw, twice the nat. size. 12 PROFESSOR ALLMAN ON THE CHARACTERS edge of the coronoid process runs downwards and slightly forwards, with a convex curve ; it meets the horizontal ramus at about a line behind the posterior molar. Anterior Extremities—The scapula measures one inch in length, and is half an inch broad at its base, which forms a uniform convex curve. From the angles of the base the superior and inferior costee converge towards the anterior end of the spine, where the scapula becomes contracted into a neck, whose superior margin is continued into a slightly prominent coracoid. The supraspinal fossa is posteriorly about twice as broad as the infraspinal fossa ; but it rapidly narrows towards the neck of the scapula, and then disappears, while the infraspinal fossa continues still distinct. The long free edge of the spine is continued forwards as a very slender acromion. ‘The glenoid cavity is ovo- triangular, with its apex directed downwards, The subscapular surface is smooth and slightly concave. The clavicles are entirely absent. The humerus, measured from the upper surface of its head to the lower end of the bone, is 143; inch in length. The head is nearly hemispherical; the lesser tuberosity forms a slightly elevated prominence; while the greater tuberosity forms a strong pyramidal projection, by which the axis of the shaft is continued for about 52;ths of an inch beyond the head. ‘The shaft of the humerus presents a sharp edge in front, and is smooth and rounded behind. ‘The anconeal fossa is imperforate, and there is no foramen above the internal condyle. Almost the whole of the front of the elbow-joint is formed by the surface for the radius. The ulna, measured from the superior margin of the great sigmoid cavity to the lower end of the bone, is 1 inch in length; the olecranon process is 33,ths of an inch. The radius and ulna are quite distinct; but the radius cannot be rotated on the ulna so as to effect supination. There are eight bones in the carpus, arranged in the usual proximal and distal series, with four bones in each series. The pisiform bone is large and subcylindrical; it projects backwards from the outer side of the wrist, so as to form a sort of carpal heel. The metacarpal bone of the pollex is the shortest; that of the minimus comes next to it in length; those of the index and annularis come next, and are equal to one another, while that of the medius is the longest. Posterior Extremities—The pelvis is narrow. The ossa innominata articulate with the first and second sacral vertebr. The ilium is a narrow bone, nearly semicylindrical in shape, convex on its outer surface, and with its superior or anterior end slightly everted. The ischium nearly continues the axis of the ilium as far as the thin tuber- osity, and then turns vertically downwards to form the posterior boundary of the oval obturator foramen. The pubic bones form an angle of about 188° with the iliac, being thus almost on a line with them. The two pubic bones converge towards one another, at an angle of 40°; but they form no true symphysis, being separated from each other at their posterior and inferior angle by a space of about 7gth of an inch wide, which is AND AFFINITIES OF POTAMOGALE. 13 occupied by a ligament admitting of considerable motion between the two bones at this spot. The femur is of the same length as the humerus, measured in each case from the upper surface of the head to the distal extremity of the bone; it has a prominent tubercle, with a rough surface, upon the middle of the outer side of the shaft. The tibia is 1,4; inch in length, measured from its upper to its lower articular surface. The tibia and fibula are confluent with one another for the lower third of their length. The tibia is curved, so as to present in its upper two-thirds an arch, convex forwards. The fibula is a slender bone, forming the cord of the arch produced by the curvature of the proximal two-thirds of the tibia. The tarsus is composed of seven bones. The calcaneum is large, and projects for about one half its length behind the tibia. The metatarsal bone of the hallux is the shortest; that of the outer toe is next in length; and the metatarsal bones of the three middle toes are the longest, and are nearly equal to one another. Anatomy of the Soft Parts. The imperfect state of preservation of the viscera, combined with the small amount of time which it was possible for me to spare from other avocations, has not allowed of more than a fragmentary description of the anatomy of the soft parts of the animal. The stomach and the whole of the organs of digestion between this and the vent, with the exception of about an inch of the terminal portion of the rectum, had been removed before the specimen was placed in my hands; so that certain important characters, such as that derived from the presence or absence of a cecum, could not be ascertained. The terminal portion of the canal, however, which escaped (fig. 9) presents several points of interest. The rectum, instead of opening directly on the surface of the body, opens into a sort of cloacal or postanal chamber, which also receives the orifices of the vagina and urethra, and those of the ducts of a pair of large anal glands. These glands are oval, about half an inch in their longer diameter. They are situated immediately beneath the skin, one on each side of the postanal chamber, into which each discharges its secretion by a single orifice. The excretory orifice of each gland opens into the bottom of a little pouch formed by a fold of the lining membrane of the postanal chamber at each side immediately within its margin. Just behind the line where the cavity of the rectum becomes continuous with the post- anal chamber, may be seen several very oblique pores in the mucous membrane of the chamber—apparently the outlets of small submucous glands. The uterus and its appendages and the urinary bladder were also left behind in the specimen; but the kidneys had been cut away with the other viscera. The fundus of 14 PROFESSOR ALLMAN ON THE CHARACTERS the uterus is continued at each side into a long, curved, cylindrical cornu, which gives off the oviduct from its distal extremity. The ovaries are situated at a short distance Fig. 9. Terminal portion of intestine with the adjacent structures, slightly enlarged: a, rectum; 6, margin of anus; c, postanal chamber laid open from behind; d, vulva; «, orifice of uretha; f, anal glands; g, pouches into which their ducts open; h, mucous pores; 7, uterus; &, cornu of uterus; J, ovary; m, oviduct; n, vagina ; o, urinary bladder ; p, ureters. } from this extremity, to which they are attached by a narrow cord-like ligament, which accompanies the oviduct; they are surrounded by a hood-like covering of peritoneum. From the uterus a wide, straight vagina passes backwards to open into the vulva, which also receives the orifice of the urethra, and is situated on the walls of the postanal chamber. The position of the mamme was unfortunately neglected to be ascertained before the specimen had been skinned, and it is now impossible to find any indication of them in the dried skin. They are probably uropygial as in Solenodon. The brain was in a very bad state of preservation: the cerebellum and medulla oblongata were entirely broken down; but the cerebral hemispheres were sufficiently well preserved to show that they are destitute of distinct convolutions. The corpora quadrigemina were also preserved; they are large, and are exposed behind the posterior margin of the hemispheres; the posterior pair are larger than the anterior. The olfac- tory lobes are rather large, and project in front of the cerebral hemispheres. From the details given above, certain characters, as perhaps eminently distinctive, may be selected and embraced under the following diagnosis :-— AND AFFINITIES OF POTAMOGALE. 15 . PotamoGaLE, Du Chaillu. Teeth, i. 3-3 0-0 3-3 3- oa 3 3.3” Ce 0-0" Pp. 3-3 mM. 3 36. Superior—first incisors laniariform; second and third incisors and first and second premolars triangular, compressed, with sharp anterior and posterior edges; third premolar pyramidal; true molars prismatic: inferior—first incisor very small, chisel-shaped; second large and laniariform ; third small, conical ; first, second, and third premolars triangular, compressed, sharp-edged ; true molars prismatic. Muzzle broad, appressed. External ears well developed. Eyes very small. Nostrils valvular. Limbs of moderate length, plantigrade, pentadactyle. Second and third toes of hind feet syndactyle for the length of the first phalanx. Tail large, compressed ; its distal portion covered with short, stiff, closely appressed hairs, while the hair covering the proximal portion re- sembles that upon the body. Body clothed with soft, rather coarse, hair, which projects from a dense covering of very fine, short, silky hairs. Anal glands two. Anus, vulva, urethra, and ducts of anal glands opening into a postanal chamber. Zygomatic arches absent. Clavicles absent. Radius and ulna separate: Tibia and fibula adnate. From the description now given, it will probably be conceded that Potamogale is more nearly allied to Solenodon than to any other known genus of Insectivora. The absence of zygomatic arches, small eyes, well-developed ears, and large tail are all so many points of direct affinity. On the other hand, the remarkably compressed, triangular teeth, the compressed form of the tail, the broad appressed muzzle, the presence of anal glands, the coalescence of tibia and fibula, and, above all, the absence of clavicles are points of marked divergence from the West-Indian genus. On the whole I am of opinion that the genus Potamogale ought to be assumed as the type of a distinct family of Insectivora, to which the name of Potamogalide may be given. The above paper had been already printed when I became acquainted with a descrip- tion of Potamogale velox, contained im a communication presented to the Zoological Society on the 25th of April, 1865, by Professor J. V. Barboza du Bocage, “ On certain rare and little-known Mammifers from Western Africa, preserved in the Lisbon Museum,”* as well as with another and more extended memoir, on the same animal, read by Professor Barboza du Bocage at a meeting of the Lisbon Academy, on the 27th of April, 1865. The specimen from which the Lisbon Professor’s description had been drawn up was sufficiently well preserved to enable him to recognize the true insectivorous relations of the animal, and to give a detailed account of its external characters and osteology. He will not, however, accept the generic name of either Du Chaillu or Gray, but constructs * See Proc. Zool. Soc., 1865, p. 401. 16 POFESSOR ALLMAN ON THE CHARACTERS AND AFFINITIES OF POTAMOGALE. a new one of his own, and proposes to call the West African insectivore by the name of Bayonia velox. For the reasons, however, already stated, I must still adhere to the claims of ‘‘ Potamogale” over all other synonyms, EXPLANATION OF PLATES I. & II, Plate I. Potamogale velox, size of life. Plate II. Skeleton of Potamogale velox, of the natural size, YOUHA ZIVIONVLOd JEM LS W West imp GH Ford POTAMOGALE VELOX a II. On some Indian Cetacea collected by Wauter Exot, ig By Professor Owen, F.B.S., F.Z.S., &e. Read June 26th, 1865. [ PLATES III—XIV.] CONTRIBUTIONS to our knowledge of the singular and interesting order of Cetacean mammals (Cetacea vera, Cuv.) are so desirable, and acquisitions of evidences of exotic kinds are so few and far between, that I am induced to think the following may be deemed acceptable and worthy of publication by the Zoological Society. The materials chiefly consist of coloured drawings and skulls of species captured or cast ashore on the east coast of the Indian peninsula, in the vicinity of the harbour of Vizagapatam, in the northern circars of the Madras Presidency. Special care was taken by Walter Elliot, Esq., of Wolfelee!, when resident at that loca- lity, to have all such “stray waifs” from the whale-family brought directly to his cogni- zance ; and he availed himself of the skill of a native artist, for whose accuracy he vouches, to make drawings of the specimens while recent; and these, for the most part, were executed under Mr. Elliot’s own eyes. A selection from the drawings and some skulls of the Vizagapatam Cetacea have been confided to me by my friend for comparison and description ; and the results of this labour, as respects what seemed “ new to science,” I have now the pleasure to communicate. Family DELPHINIDZ. Genus DELPHINUs, Cuvier. DELPHINUS (subgenus STENO, Gray) GADAMU, Owen. The “ Gadamu” Dolphin. (Pl. III. figs. 1 & 2.) This species is known to the Vizagapatam fishermen by the name of “ Gadamu.” It averages about 7 feet in length. The specimen figured is a female of 6 feet 10 inches in length. The body is fusiform, gaining its greatest diameter at the fore part of the dorsal fin, where the girth is 3 feet 9 inches. From this point the body decreases forward to the head, by straight converging lines laterally (fig. 2), and with a gentle convex curve superiorly (fig. 3), to the eyes and blow-hole; thence the sides of the head converge more acutely to the 1 Now Sir Walter Elliot, K.C.S8,I. VOL. VI.—PART I. 18 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. base of the snout, while the forehead descends with a bold convex curve to the same part. The snout, which is divided from the forehead by a transverse groove, extending almost horizontally nearly to the angles of the mouth, equals in length the distance from its base to the eyes, which is five inches and a half. Its vertical diameter at the base rather exceeds the transverse diameter: it gradually decreases to an obtuse apex. The lower jaw projects a little beyond the upper: the “rictus oris” extends backward to very near the eye. This opens at the junction of the lower with the middle third of the vertical diameter of that part of the head. The “ blow-hole” is on the same transverse line with the eyes, symmetrically situated on the middle of the vertex, of a crescentic form, with the cresses bent forward (fig. 2, 6). The pectoral and dorsal fins are fal- cate, of nearly similar size. ‘The pectorals commence at the beginning of the second fourth part of the entire body: the extent of their base (7. ¢. from the attached fore part to the angle at which the concave hind border begins) is about 9 inches; their length, following the anterior marginal curve, is 1 foot 6 inches: they are attached low down. The dorsal fin commences 3 feet from the end of the snout (in a straight line): the extent of the attached base is 13 inches; that of the convex anterior border, following the curve, is 1 foot 4 inches. From the dorsal fin the trunk diminishes in size to the root of the tail-fin, more rapidly laterally than vertically; from the dorsal to the end of the caudal measures 24 inches. The antero-posterior extent of the middle of the tail-fin is 7 inches; the extreme breadth of the fin is 1 foot 10 inches; the circumference of the base or pedicle of the tail-fin is 10 inches. The vent is situated on the mid line below, in the interval between the vertical parallels of the dorsal and caudal fins, and nearer the dorsal, being 2 feet 6 inches from the hind border of the caudal fin: about 2 inches in advance of the vent is the vulva. The colour of the body is a dark plumbeous grey, almost black upon the fins, especially at their fore part, becoming very gradually lighter to the longitudinal parallel of the attachment of the pectorals, below which the body, from beneath the base of the snout and eye to below the base of the tail, is of a pinkish ashy-grey tint, with a few small irregular blotches of light plumbeous grey. The length of the snout, from the frontal groove, is 5 inches 6 lines; that of the “ rictus oris,” in a straight line lengthwise, is 11 lines; the eye is about equidistant from the end of the snout and the beginning of the pectoral fin. The greatest vertical diameter of the body is 1 foot 5 inches; the greatest transverse diameter is the same; the greatest girth is 3 feet 10 inches; the vertical diameter of the base of the snout is 3 inches, the transverse diameter 2 inches 6 lines. The number of teeth, as noted by Mr. Elliot in one specimen, 27-27 — was 37—5,—108; in a second specimen,;,—,, La == 96; in the skull transmitted, a8 =101. This Dolphin would probably belong to that section which Dr. Gray has cha- racterized, under the name of Steno, as having the symphysis of the lower jaw PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. 19 “elongate, about ¢ the length”?; but the definition of the term of comparison being omitted, whether it may be “length of the dental series,” “ of the mandibular ramus,” or “of the entire skull,” detracts from my means of testing this osteological character, whatever may be its value in regard to the variation in length of the “symphysis man- dibulz”’ of the restricted Delphini of Cuvier’s system. In the skull, no. 423, of the “Gadamu” (PI. IV.), the symphysis mandibule (figs. 3 & 4,5,5) is more than 4th the length of the entire dental series, and about 4th the length of the entire ramus. Assuming, however, the section or subgenus of the present Dolphin to be Steno, it then belongs to that subsection which is characterized as having the “ ** Beak sepa- rated from the forehead by a cross groove”. In this section the present species differs from the Delphinus (Steno) malayanus in colour, in number of teeth, and perhaps also in size. The D. malayanus is “ greyish above and below;” the dental formula 22=°°=144. From the Delphinus (Steno) 36—36 frontatus of the Indian Ocean, with teeth 00 or = 84, D. gadamu differs in the greater number of teeth. From Delphinus (Steno) compressus the present species differs in the minor compression of the head, the shorter and less attenuated snout. The D. (Steno) attenuatus, Gray, departs still further from D. gadamu in the length . 40 —40 and slenderness of the snout and the more numerous teeth, the formula being 7-3, = 160. : In the skull of D. (Steno) gadamu (P1. IV.) the maxillo-premaxillary part of the rostrum is broader and lower than in D. (Steno) frontatus, the premaxillaries rise above the max- illaries, at the middle of the rostrum, with a more abrupt transverse convexity, and the maxillaries slope therefrom outward and less steeply downward to the alveolar border. Behind the dental series the bony palate, there formed by the back part of the maxil- laries, by the palatines, and pterygoids, forms a longitudinal bar convex across and increasing in depth as it recedes; the sides of the bar are continued into channels of the same length, concave transversely, and impressing the sides of the posterior palatal surface of the maxillaries. This undulating disposition of the bony palate subsides opposite the penultimate or antepenultimate teeth, in advance of which the bony palate is nearly flat, with a strip, 2 inches long, of the vomer at the mid line, and in advance of this is slightly hollow transversely, or canaliculate. The sockets of the teeth are in contact, about 4 lines in diameter. In the skull transmitted, and here noticed and figured (Pl. IV.), I count 23—23 in the upper jaw, and 27—28 in the lower jaw. The teeth have a long and large rounded base and a short enamelled crown, slightly incurved, not very sharply pointed; about ten anterior alveoli are coextensive with the symphysis. * Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror: “Cetacea.” 4to. 1844, p. 43. Not any of the figures of the skulls of Steno, Gray, illustrate the symphysial character in question. In a specimen of Steno frontatus in the British Museum the mandibular symphysis is about one-fourth of the entire length of the skull. 2 Thid. D2 20 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. The specimen of the Gadamu Dolphin here figured was taken on the 20th March, 1853, at Waltair, the civil station at Vizagapatam; the posterior margin of the dorsal fin had been accidentally slit. De.puinus (Steno?) LENTIGINOSUS, Owen. Freckled Dolphin. (PI. V. figs. 2 & 3.) By the same general fusiform character of the body, diminishing to the ends from the greatest girth at the fore part of the dorsal fin, and by the small size of this fin and especially of the pectorals, I am induced to place this Dolphin in the same section with the preceding. From the Gadamu it differs, not only in colour, but in the size of the fins, the pectorals and dorsals being relatively smaller, the caudal fin larger. The body is narrower, being subcompressed; the vertical diameter at the deepest part (fig. 2) exceeds the transverse (fig. 3). The back is rounded in front of the dorsal fin, but is sharp, or keeled, behind it for about half thé distance to the caudal, where it again becomes convex until near the root of the tail-fin, which is compressed and sharp above. The forehead is higher and more convex than in D. fusiformis (Pl. V. fig. 1), but is continued by an alteration of curve more directly into the rostrum than it isin D. gadamu (Pl. III. fig. 1). The transverse groove, as indicated in the drawing (PI. V. fig. 6, ¢), is defined at the sides of the base of the beak, but above it is less deep or definite than in the two above-named species. The contour-line from the dorsal fin to the forehead is nearly straight, very slightly undulated, not convexly curved as in D. gadamu. , The specimen figured (Pl. V. figs. 2, 3) was a female, captured at Waltair, Sep- tember 18, 1854. She measured 7 feet 10 inches in length, and 4 feet in greatest circumference, being probably pregnant. The colour is pretty uniformly bluish cinereous, or slaty, freckled with irregular small spots or streaks of brown or plumbeous pigment, the streaks longitudinal and flecked with white; the under surface is a shade lighter than the rest of the body. The snout is 6 inches in length, 33 inches in depth at the base, and 5 inches there across; the skull shows better the pre- dominance of the vertical over the transverse diameter of the rostral production of the jaws. The “ictus oris,” 1 foot in length, bends gently upward from the base of the snout to within 2 inches of the eye. ‘This is situated just above the middle of the vertical line crossing that part of the head. From the end of the snout to the eye is 14} inches. The blow-hole, median in position and shaped as in the foregoing species, is a little in advance of the vertical parallel of the eyes; in the male specimen it was on the same parallel. From the end of the snout to the pectoral fin is 2 feet; the attachment of this fin is subpedunculate, the antero-posterior extent of the peduncle being only 3 inches, while the breadth of the fin, at the posterior basal angle, is 5 inches; the length of the anterior margin, following its very slight convex curve, is 12 inches. The dorsal fin is relatively lower than in D. fusiformis, much more so than PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. 21 in D. gadamu; the hind border slopes away gradually to an extensive base of attach- ment, which is continued as a ridge halfway between the dorsal and caudal fins: the length of the dorsal at its front margin is 1 foot 1 inch; from the end of the snout to the dorsal fin is 3 feet 4 inches; from the front border of the fin’s base to the mid fissure of the tail-fin is 4 feet 2 inches; the fin is rather more posterior in position than in D. fusiformis, and is more obtusely terminated than in that species or in D. gadamu, From the hind border of the caudal fin to the vent is 2 feet 5 inches: the vulva is 24 inches in advance of the vent. The upper part of the pedicle of the caudal fin is obtusely ridged; the middle of the posterior margin of the fin is notched, as in the two foregoing species; the antero-posterior breadth of the fin, near the notch, is 7 inches 6 lines; the transverse breadth of the entire fin is 1 foot 9 lines. A profile-view of the head and pectoral fin of a male D. lentiginosus, taken also at Waltair, which was of a rather darker bluish slate-colour than the female, shows the feeble indication of the fronto-rostral groove beyond the lateral indentations; the interruption of the convex curve of the forehead, before reaching the snout, is rather more marked. The mouth is represented a little open, indicating the relative size of 2—32 the teeth so exposed; they were = 129. As in the female specimen, the pectoral fin is not falciform, but has rather the shape of a scalene triangle, the two shorter sides straight. The skull of Delphinus (Steno) lentiginosus is rather narrower in proportion to its length than in D. gadamu; the occipital condyles are larger, the superoccipital surface is narrower, the temporal fosse more squared above; the premaxillaries do not rise to form a distinct convexity at the upper part of the rostrum, as in D. gadamu, but con- tinue upwards the roof-like slope, begun by the maxillaries, which gives a triangular transverse section to the middle and fore part of the rostrum. The breadth of the rostrum at the antorbital notches is the same in both species, viz. 4 inches; the length of the rostrum, from the notches, is 103 inches in D. gadamu, 11 inches in D. lentigi- nosus. But the chief distinction is in the number of the teeth: in the skuil here noticed and figured there are, in the upper jaw, 33—33, in the lower jaw, 32—32 =130, and the teeth are smaller. The extent of the dental series of the upper jaw in D. lentiginosus is 9 inches 9 lines, but is not more than 8 inches 6 lines in D. gadamu. The D. lentiginosus is known to the Waltair and Vizagapatam fishermen by the Telugu name of “ Bolla Gadimi.” DELPHINUS (STENO?) MACULIVENTER. Spot-bellied Dolphin. (PI. VI. figs. 1 & 2.) In the degree of convexity of the forehead the present species resembles the D. Susiformis (Pl. V. fig. 1); but the head is relatively larger, and the body is deeper in ~ proportion to its length, than in either D. fusiformis or D. gadamu. 22 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. In colour it presents a well-marked distinctive character from all the Vizagapatam species; it is of a deep, shining, plumbeous black on the upper part, becoming paler near the belly, which, from the under part of the jaw to the perineum, is ashy grey, with irregular spots or blotches, whence the specific name maculiventer. The specimen from which figs. 1 and 2 were taken was a female, 6 feet 11 inches in length, found at Waltair, 26th April, 1854. It is called by the fishermen “‘ Suvva.” The fronto-rostral groove is well marked, but short; the “ rictus oris” slightly rises as it extends back, to about 3 inches below the fore part of the eye; the under jaw extends be- yond the upper, and chiefly forms the obtuse end of the rostrum; this is 5 inches in length, and higher at its base than it is broad. The blow-hole resembles in position and shape that of the previously described species. Both pectoral and dorsal are falcate, but small ; the length of the front border of the pectoral, following the curve, is 1 foot 3 inches; from the end of the snout to the setting-on of this fin measures 1 foot 9 inches. The greatest circumference of the body is just in advance of the dorsal fin; the height of this fin is 8 inches, the extent of its basal attachment 18 inches; to the fore part of the dorsal from the end of the snout, in a straight line, is 3 feet 4 inches; from the back part of the dorsal to the hind border of the base of the caudal fin is 3 feet. The body is more compressed than in D. lentiginosus (Pl. V. fig. 3). The girth of the pedicle of the caudal fin is 1 foot 2 inches; the fore-and-aft diameter of the fin is 7 inches, the extreme breadth is 1 foot 8 inches; from the median notch of the caudal to the vent is 2 feet 3 inches; extent of perineum (or between the vent and vulva) 3 inches. The dentition of this species is 114. It appears not to be rare. Specimens were taken in March 1853 and April 1854, all showing the character of colour given in the female figured in Pl. VI. figs. 1 & 2 DELPHINUS (LAGENORHYNCHUS) FUSIFORMIS, Owen. Spindle-shaped Dolphin. (Plate V. fig. 1.) The present species is more slender in proportion to its length, has a less elevated and less convex forehead, a proportionally thicker, broader, and more obtusely terminated snout, a deeper mandible or under jaw, especially posteriorly, and smaller dorsal and pectoral fins, especially the latter, than in the foregoing species of Delphinus. It appears, likewise, to beasmaller species. The specimen figured, which was the largest taken (at Waltair, on the 23rd August, 1853), was a female, 6 feet in length: the dentition oe 86. The greatest girth of the body is at the fore part of the dorsal fin; from this the body tapers to both ends, and, through the lower forehead and thicker snout, more regularly than in D. gadamu, and presenting a truer spindle-shape of the whole animal, whence the specific name. The “rictus oris” bends upward as it recedes, and does not approach so near the eye as in D. gadamu. Both the angle of the mouth and the eye are more elevated in position; the blow-hole is medial, symmetrical, on the same vertical parallel PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. Z bo 9 2) with the eyes; crescentic, with the angles bent forward. The length of the snout is 6 inches, of the “ictus oris” 10 inches; from the end of the snout to the eye 1 foot; from the same to the setting-on of the pectoral fin 1 foot 74 inches; from the same to the setting-on of the dorsal fin 2 feet 7 inches; from the hind part of the base of the dorsal fin to the hind border of the caudal fin 2 feet 8 inches. The pectoral fin measures 5 inches across the broadest part of its base, and is 1 foot in length, following the curve of the front border, which curve is much less than in the Gadamu. The dorsal fin is lower in proportion to the length of its base; its anterior border also shows a minor degree of convexity; the extent, following the curve, is 10 inches; the line of attach- ment measures 1] inches. ‘The fore-and-aft extent of the mid part of the caudal fin is 5 inches; the extreme breadth of the fin is 1 foot 4 inches. The vent is 1 foot 9 inches in advance of the mid notch of the caudal fin; the vulva is 5 inches in advance of the vent, the interspace being relatively greater than in the Gadamu. The colour of the “Spindle-shaped Dolphin” is less darkly plumbeous than in the Gadamu, and becomes more gradually lighter towards the belly; the dorsal fin, the fore part of the pectoral and caudal fins, and the snout have the darkest pigment; the light ashy-grey belly shows no spots. The difference from any of the three preceding species is still more marked in the skull (Pl. VII.), which presents the general characters of that section of Delphinide to which the term “‘Lagenorhynchus” has been attached. It resembles in size and general characters the skull of Lagenorhynchus electra, Gray ; but the occipital condyles are more approximate below the foramen magnum, the presphenoid is narrower, the longitudinal channel formed by it and the pterygoid is deeper and narrower: the rostrum is of equal length in the two-species, viz. 9 inches 8 lines from the antorbital notches (£); but the breadth there is 54 inches in Lagenorhynchus electra and 5 inches in Lagenorhynchus fusiformis. In this species a narrow slip of the vomer (fig. 4, 13), about an inch in length, appears on the bony palate, 3 inches from the anterior end. In Lagenorhynchus (Pl. VII.) the skull is broader in proportion to its length, and the mandibular symphysis shorter, than in Sfeno (Pl. IV.); the transverse undulation of the hind part of the palate is less marked, the middle convex tract being broader and lower, and the lateral channels wider and shallower. DELPHINUS POMEEGRA, Owen. The Pomeegra Dolphin. (PI. VI. fig. 3.) This species belongs to the same section of Delphinus as the Black Dolphin of the Cape and Ceylon (Delphinus longirostris, Gray) and the Delphinus forsteri? of the Pacific. 1 Schlegel. Mr. Blyth has inserted a note on this species in the ‘ Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal,’ 1848, pp. 249, 250. 2 Forster, “ Descriptio Animalium,” drawing no. 24 (copied by Dr. Gray, in the ‘ Zoology of the Erebus and Terror,’ “ Cetacea,” 4to. 1845, plate 24). 24 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. It was taken off the coast of Madras, and is known to the fishermen there as the “‘ Po- meegra.” It is of a very deep plumbeous shining colour, almost black, with a rather lighter shade at the under part of the belly. Mr. Elliot, who was indebted to Mr. Blyth for the specimen, notes it as “a small Cetaceous species;” but the length is not given. The proportions of the snout, of the rictus oris, of the fins, and the form of the forehead (which rises from the base of the snout with a low convexity) are characters in which the D. pomeegra resembles the D. longirostris, Gray. It chiefly differs in the larger propor- tional size and smaller number of the teeth, viz. = 173. The blow-hole is crescentic, and on the same vertical parallel as the eye. The body enlarges more gradually to the origin of the dorsal fin than in D. forster?, the greatest circumference being at the fore part of that fin. It is more slender in proportion to its length than any of the above-described fusiform Dolphins belonging to the subsection Steno, Gray. The symphysis mandibule (Pl. VIII. fig. 4) is less than }th the entire length of the ramus. The hinder half of the palate (ib. fig. 2), is widely and deeply channelled on each side. This is, however, but an extension of the modification already pointed out in the hind part of the palate of D. ga- damu (Pl. IV.), and it is subject to varieties in species which, from the brevity of the mandibular symphysis, the great number and small size of the teeth, and the transversely convex rising of the premaxillaries along a considerable part of the rostrum, would be retained among the De/phini as restricted by Dr. Gray. In Delphinus euphrosyne, e. g. (Pl. VIII. fig. 5: no. 15, p. 251, ‘Catalogue of Cetacea in the Br. Mus.’), the hinder middle tract of the bony palate is not longer, deeper, nor more convex transversely than in Steno and Lagenorhynchus, and the lateral channels show the same proportions as in the latter subgenus. The prominent mid tract of the palate is too broad and obtusely convex to be regarded as a “ridge;” in any species of Delphinus proper that has come under my observation. Sp. dub. DELPHINAPTERUS MOLAGAN, Owen. Mr. Elliot writes, “I have (or rather ‘ had,’ for I cannot find it) a drawing of a small Cetacean, copied from one made in the Chief Engineer's Office at Madras for Col. Monteith, which was taken from an individual, 32 inches long, of a uniform black colour, with a rounded obtuse head, small mouth, and no dorsal. The Tamil fishermen called it ‘ Molagan.’” Genus Procana, Cuvier. Puocana (Orca, Gray, Reinhardt) BREVIROSTRIS. Owen. Short-snouted Porpoise (skull). (Pl. IX. figs. 1, 2, 3.) Of this Cetacean I possess only the cranium; but, as it presents the characters of maturity, it is too small for the species represented by the drawings already described, PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CEIACEA. 25 if even the proportions of the rostral part of the skull (Pl. IX. fig. 1, 21' 22) did not show that it belongs to a different section of Delphinide!. The present part of a Cetacean skeleton, as the skulls of those species, figured in Pls. 1V. VII. VIII. demonstrate, affords better grounds for comparison and specific determination than do coloured drawings of the entire animal, however accurate,—the number of skulls of ascertained species in home-museums, or otherwise accessible, being much greater than entire and stuffed spe- cimens of the Cetacea, which rarely give the natural contour of head or body. The animal from which this skull was taken was thrown ashore in the harbour of Vizagapatam in too decayed a state to be figured, and was noted as a “small kind of Porpoise” by Mr. Elliot, who fortunately secured the present evidence of the species, which is now preserved in the British Museum. The following are the dimensions of the skull :— inches, lines. Lari Ve (8 ee Rg ee Rw ey ee oe Cees Pom Pe oem rene | Breadth, greatest, across zygomata . . . Ea Cee aN Bet From the back of occipital condyle to rrtenetal process of malarbone 7 6 From the antorbital process of malar to anterior end of premaxillary 4 8 From the back part of nostrils to do. do. ge These dimensions show that in the shortness of the “facial” as compared with the “* cranial ” part of the skull the species agrees with the section of Delphinide, including the Grampuses and Porpoises, for which Cuvier proposed the subgeneric name Phocena?, and which, in his ‘Ossemens Fossiles, tome y. part i. (1823), he distinguished as “§ 2. Les Dauphins a téte obtuse” (p. 280), from “ ) 1. Les Dauphins @ bec” (p. 275) (Delphinus, proper)’. The number of Delphinide with obtuse heads or short jaws, which have since been observed, have manifested so many minor modifications in the relative size, shape, and number of the teeth, in the relative size and length of the jaws, in the formation of the bony palate, in the extent of anchylosis, and the forms of processes, &c., of the cervical ver- tebra, that numerous subgenera have been founded on these characters. Nevertheless, as each additional kind of blunt-headed Dolphin tends to exemplify the gradational tendency of these modifications, the benefit to zoology of the additional quasi-generic names is doubtful; and I shall refer the present skull, which appears to me to belong to an undescribed species, to the Phocena brevirostris, as a member of the section of Cuvier’s Phocene, characterized by conical teeth, in which its nearest alliance appears to be with the Phocena globiceps, Cuv.* 1 The following is Mr. Elliot’s note respecting this specimen :—* August 1852. Got the skull of a porpoise which one of the fishermen found dead at the mouth of the Vizagapatam river. He called it ‘Ganumu,’ and described it as haying a rounded head, without beak, colour black or dark above, white below; perhaps a Phocena or Globicephalus.” 2 Régne Anim. tome i. p. 290 (1829). 3 Thid. p. 287. 4 Tbid. p. 290; Annales du Muséum, tome xix. ; Ossem. Foss. tome y. part i. p. 290, tab. 21. pls. 1, 2, 3, figs: 11, 12, 13. VOL. VI. PART I. E 26 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA, The elements of the occipital have coalesced. The basioccipital (Pl. IX. fig. 3,1) forms the lower fifth of the foramen magnum, intervening for an extent, measured in a straight line, of 103 lines between the lower ends of the occipital condyles (ib. 2’): it is here thick and concave transversely: it becomes thinner vertically and expanded later- ally as it advances to join the basisphenoid (ib. 5), with which it has coalesced: a slight median longitudinal obtuse rising divides two large shallow concavities, from the sides of which the aliform expansions of the basisphenoid extend, which bend slightly down- ward to form the lower and inner or mesial wall of the otocrane (ib. ov). ‘The occipital condyles (figs. 1 & 3, 2,2’) are narrow, vertically elongate, oval convexities, wider at their lower half, with the mesial margin gently convex, the lateral or outer margin sinuous, through a slight concavity marking off the upper third of the condyle: the length of the condyle in a straight line is 2” 1’, the greatest breadth 1” 11’: the upper ends of the condyles are 1” 3’” apart; they are low and sessile. The foramen magnum is vertically oval, widest above, and notched at the middle of the upper border; its length, to the end of the last notch, is 2”, its breadth 1” 3’”; the breadth across the broadest parts of both condyles is 2” 9’". The paroccipital (figs. 1 & 3,4) an exogenous growth of the exoccipital, forms the back part of the otocrane, towards which it is sinuous or slightly concave, and terminates below in a thick rough border, 4’ across the thickest part (figs. 3,4”); this border is divided by a notch from the otocranial plate (5') of the basisphenoid, and just within the bottom of that notch’ opens the canal for the nervus vagus. The superoccipital (figs. 1,2, 3) rises and ex- Pands, as in other Delphinide, into a broad and lofty convex plate reaching the vertex, and there articulating with the parietals (7) and interparietal (7*); a low median ridge (fig. 2, 3') divides vertically the upper half of the superoccipital. On the inner surface, 1” 6'” above the foramen magnum, a vertical triangular plate of bone descends into the falx; it is thickest behind, where its base is grooved transversely by the lateral sinus. The alisphenoids (Pl. IX. figs. 1, 3,6) coalesce with the fore part of the lateral borders of the basisphenoid, in advance of the otocrane (fig. 3, 07), of which it forms the anterior wall or boundary: the base of the alisphenoid is notched posteriorly for the third, and anteriorly for the second, division of the trigeminal; it expands as it passes outward, slightly rising (fig. 1, 6) to join the parietal (7), and frontal (11), and to overlap the process of the squamosal (fig. 3, 27’), continued, mesiad, from the glenoid cavity (7). The suture between the interparietal(fig. 2, 7*) and superoccipital (3) is obliterated, and that with the parietals is partially so. The suture between the parietal and superoccipital remains at its lower half (fig. 1, 7), showing that a narrow strip of the parietal appears on the external surface of the cranium, extending backward, between the squamosal (27) and superoccipital (3) to the exoccipital (2 ), and slightly expanding at its junction therewith. The presphenoid (ib. fig. 3,9) is distinct from the basisphenoid (5), and extends in the form of a compressed rostrum forward, contracting, to be enclosed by the pos- terior sheath-shaped part of the vomer (13). The orbitosphenoids (ibid. 10) extend PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. 27 outward, overlapping the pterygoids (24), contract where they form the fore part of the foramen lacerum anterius and the optic foramina, beyond which they expand to support the orbital plate (fig. 5, 11’ ) of the frontal.’ The frontals (Pl. EX. figs. 1 & 2, 11, 11’), in great part overlapped, as in other Cetacea, by the maxillaries ( 21 ), show at their narrow exposed strip, extending transversely across the summit of the cranium, the persistant frontal suture, half an inch in length; from this suture the strip curves outward and backward, expanding beyond the interparietal (7), and then downward and forward, contracting and again expanding, to form the post- orbital process (figs. 1, 2, 12): this is triangular and three-sided, one facet being a continuation of the exposed strip, a second contributing to the temporal fossa, and a third to the orbit (or). In the temporal fossa, the frontal (fig. 1, 1) articulates with the parietal (7) and alisphenoid (6); in the orbit (ib. or), with the orbito-sphenoid (fig. 3,10) and malar (26'); then, arching forward from the postorbital process, the frontal forms the superorbital ridge (fig. 1,11), and articulates anteriorly by a kind of gomphosis with the malar (26); it is overlapped here, as on the cranium, by the max- illary (21"). The medial parts of the frontals (fig. 2,11) are united posteriorly with the interparietal (7*), anteriorly with the nasals (15 ). The vomer (ib. fig. 3, 13) extends forward to within an inch and a half of the end of the premaxillaries, and behind these it intervenes upon the bony palate between the maxillaries, along a strip of two inches extent and three lines across the broadest part. This palatal part of the vomer (13) is the lower convexity of the canal formed by the spout-shaped bone; the hollow of the canal is exposed at the upper interspace of the premaxillaries. Here, also, is seen, two inches behind the fore end of the vomer, the rough thick anterior border of the coalesced prefrontals (fig. 2, 14), which contracts as it passes into their upper border, forming the septum of the nostrils, expanding below and behind to form the back wall of the nasal passages(14’ ). At this part a trace of the suture between these foremost neurapophyses of the skull remains. Their bifid spine —the small transversely extended subquadrate nasals (15 )—intervenes between the frontals (11) and prefrontals (14). The palatine bones appear on the palate as narrow strips (fig. 3, 20) wedged between the maxillaries, (21) and pterygoids (24), and united together beneath the vomer by a longitudinal suture of 3’” extent: then, passing out- ward and forward, after a brief contraction they suddenly expand and bend upward to line or form the mesial wall of the orbit, and again contract to articulate with the frontal at the superorbital fossa; the mesial borders of the palatines articulate with the vomer and prefrontals; and between the pterygoids and the vomer the palatines form the fore part of the lower half of the nasal passages. The orbital plate of the palatine sends off an outer thin lamina, which terminates by a free margin at the back of the orbit. The palatine plates of the maxillaries (21) unite together for about an inch in front of the palatines, then slightly diverge to give place to the vomer (33), which, however, does not sink to their level; in advance of the vomer the plates slightly diverge to their E 2 28 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. anterior ends, giving place to the premaxillaries ( 22’), which form the apex of the muzzle: the rest of the disposition of the maxillaries accords with Cuvier’s account in Phocena globiceps; the superorbital plate (fig. 1, 21*) is divided by a notch from the rostral part (21) of the maxillary, and forms a tuberosity articulated with the under- lying malar (26). The premaxillaries (22) accord equally with those in P. globiceps, save in their shorter proportions concomitantly with the shorter muzzle. They are perforated near the outer margin, between the posterior and middle third, the canal leading forward and inward. The three perforations (fig. 2, a, b,c) in the maxillary external to the nasal portions of the premaxillary ( 22’), are the upper outlets of canals which converge to open into an oblong fossa (fig. 3, 26) beneath the fore part of the roof of the orbit. The pterygoid (fig. 5, 24, 24’ ) is a large sinuous plate folded upon itself from within, upward, outward, and backward; the thick fore part (24) articulates with the palatine, whence it continues the bony roof of the mouth backward for the extent of 1” 8’", with a convex surface, divided from its fellow by a vacancy of 8" breadth, exposing the presphenoid and vomer; the inner plate of the pterygoid forms the outer wall of the lower part of the nasal passage, and continues that passage obliquely backward, as an open canal (24), beneath the base of the alisphenoid (6), as far as the otocranial plate of the basisphenoid (s’ ). This posterior production of the pterygoid is three-sided ; the inner or narial one is concave; the outer one is also concave, forming a channel leading upward and forward to the orbit; the upper facet is sutural, and articulated with the basi-, pre-, ali-, and orbito-sphenoids. ‘The anterior external lamina of the ptery- goid bends outward and upward to articulate with the corresponding free lamina of the palatine, bounding the narrow and deep sinuous fissure between the outer and inner portions of both bones. The malar, as in other Delphinidw, consists of the antorbital (Pl. IX. fig. 1, 26’ ) and styliform (26) portions. The former (26' ) is anarrow triangle, with the base thick, convex, - turned forward, underpropping the fore part of the superorbital plate of the maxillary (21*), and articulating with the same part of the frontal; the apex extends backward, and is wedged into the roof of the orbit between the frontal and maxillary. The styliform portion (26) is given off by a process extending inward (mesiad), at right angles to the antorbital portion (fig. 3), and a few lines behind its fore part; it sud- denly contracts and extends backward, with a slight bend, to the squamosal, articu- lating by a concave, oblique, terminal facet to a tubercle at the fore and under part of the zygomatic process of the squamosal (fig. 1, 27). The length of this part of the malar is 3"; its thickness throughout the greater extent is 1} by 1’”; its squamosal articulation is 4” across. The form of the orbit (ib. or) so defined below is longitu- dinally oblong, more arched above than below, 2” 2’” in fore-and-aft diameter, 1 2” in greatest vertical diameter; the chamber communicates, of course, largely with the temporal fossa, and continues into the deep, ascending orbital fossa and the small autorbital fossa (7), external to which is the rough malomaxillary fossa (e). PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. 29 The squamosal consists chiefly of its articular or zygomatic part (Pl. IX. figs. 1 & 3, 27), which is deep in proportion to its length, truncate, and three-sided; the outer side is slightly convex and rather rough, 1” 5'” in depth posteriorly; the inner side is divided between the articular cavity (fig. 3, g), rough for syndesmosis with the mandible, and the smoother surface internal to it, which extends mesiad in a triangular depressed form ( 27') beneath the back part of the alisphenoid (6), but without joining it: the upper surface, of an inequilateral shape, contributes a lower wall to the temporal fossa. The squamous portion (fig. 1), continued upward from this facet, is triangular, with a rounded apex, about an inch in length, and rather more in height; it is applied against the ali- sphenoid (6) and parietal (7). The rough posterior tract articulating with the parietal (7) and exoccipital (2), and contributing to the outer wall of the otocrane (fig. 3, 7), I consider to be the “mastoid” confluent with the squamosal, together forming the bone which should be termed ‘“‘ squamo-mastoid.” The mastoid part terminates below in a rough, flattened, triangular surface (fig. 3, 8), 5’ 7’” in diameter, which is divided from the zygomatic or articular process of the squamosal (g) by a deep fissure. On the inner side of the base or back part of the mastoid, in the line of its suture with the parietal, is the (stylomastoid?) fossa. The squamosal forms no part of the inner or proper wall of the cranial cavity. The glenoid or mandibul-articular surface (g) is longitu- dinally oblong, 1” 5’” by 8’” in diameter, moderately concave, least so transversely, and looking inward, downward, and with a slight inclination forward. The mandible offers no notable peculiarity, save that which relates to shortness in proportion to the entire skull, concurrently with the same specific character of the upper jaw. The depth of the ramus at the coronoid process is relatively as great as in the longer- jawed species, and consequently bears a greater ratio to the length of the entire ramus: this in the present skull is 7”, the greatest vertical extent of the ramus being 2’ 6"; the shallowest part of the ramus is where it supports the teeth; it deepens a little at the short symphysis. There are fourteen alveoli approximated in a common groove in each mandible, extending along 3” 3” from the symphysis. The correspond- ing groove of the upper jaw (fig. 3) shows seventeen alveoli, along an extent of 36". The deeper part of the alveolus is distinct in the anterior teeth ; but, as they recede, the sockets are indicated by depressions merely in the common groove. The teeth are slender ones: the anterior ones in the upper jaw average a length of 8’”, two-thirds of the irregular cement-covered, thickened, and solid base being implanted, the exposed third forming a smooth, partially enamelled, pointed crown, with a circular transverse section and in most a slight incurvation; the length of crown is from 3’” to 4’”, the diameter of its base 1’, that of the inserted root 2'”. As in other Delphinidw, the bony palate is entire, save at the slight median divarica- tion of the maxillaries and premaxillaries, and the major part of this median fissure is closed by the yomer. A pair of small (neuro-vascular) foramina is situated near the maxillo-palatine suture, and one or two others obliquely groove and pierce the palatine plate of the maxillary. 30 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. The optic foramen communicates or is blended with a larger vacuity or fissure between the orbitosphenoid, frontal and pterygoid, which might be termed the spheno- frontal fissure. The foramen rotundum, in like manner, is blended with a larger vacuity between the ali- and orbito-sphenoids, answering to the “fissura lacera anterior” of anthropotomy, and which may be called the “ intersphenal fissure ”?. The removal of the loosely attached petrotympanic exposes the wide otocranial vacuity (Pl. IX. fig. 3, or) in the basal walls of the cranium, which is a characteristic feature of the Delphinoid as compared with the Physeteroid skull (Pl. XIII. fig. 2), where the otocranial is walled off from the cranial cavity. The otocrane, in both, is bounded by the paroccipital, basisphenoid, alisphenoid, and squamo-mastoid: in the present species of Phocena it presents a subquadrate form, 1” 4’” in diameter, with the angles rounded off, notched anteriorly by the third division of the fifth, whereby the ‘foramen ovale” blends with this great vacuity. The entocarotid foramen pierces the outer and fore part of the base of the otocranial plate of the basisphenoid, close to, perhaps at, the line of confluence of the alisphenoid. There are neither olfactory nor lacrymal foramina. ‘The absence of the rhinal capsules simplifies the condition of the prefrontals, and facilitates the comprehension of both the special and general homologies of these interesting bones. A pair of minute foramina lead from the cranial cavity to the narial ones piercing the prefontals; but they do not give passage to olfactory nerves in the Delphinide. The departure from symmetry in the present Delphinoid skull is slight: it is seen in the greater backward extension of the nasal plate of the right premaxillary (fig. 2,22”), in the larger size of the prenarial plate of the right maxillary, and in a feeble inclination of the upper margin of the septum narium to the left. Family PHYSETERID (Cachalots or Sperm-Whales). Genus Evpuysetes, Macleay. PuysETER (EUPHYSETES) SIMUS, Owen. The Snub-nosed Cachalot. (Plates X.—XIV.) The Cetacean which I have next to describe is represented by drawings of the adult male (side view, Pl. XI. to scale) and female (side view, Pl. X. fig. 1; upper view, fig. 2 ; to scale). It is noted as “a kind of Porpoise” in Mr. Elliot’s MS., and is known to the Telugu fishermen of the coast by the name of “* Wonga.” The male, measuring 6 feet 8 inches in length, was taken at Waltair, February 28, 1853. The female was taken on the Ist of March, 1853, at the same part of the coast; she measured 6 feet in length. ‘ Tt is noticed as “le trou sphéno-orbitaire,”’ by Cuvier, ‘ Oss. Foss.’ tom. cit. p. 294. PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. 51 The resemblance to the Porpoise was suggested by the shortness of the snout; but this is more obtuse, and is not marked off from the rest of the head by any sudden narrowing. More important differential characters suggest the affinity of the “ Wonga” to a family of toothed Whales, distinct from the Delphinide. The first and most important of these is the inferior position of the mouth, beyond the small opening of which the blunt rostrum extends forward from 4 to 6 inches. The blow-hole (Pl. X. fig. 2) is single, but is not medial in position or symmetrical in shape; it is im advance of the eye, opens to the left of the mesial plane, is propor- tionally larger than in the Porpoise, and is crescentic, but curves obliquely from the mid line outward and backward, with the convexity turned forward and to the left, and the angles or “cresses” directed backward and to the right. The anterior angle is 5 inches from the end of the snout. The eye is small; the palpebral orifice is be- tween 7 and 8 inches from the end of the snout, and opens in the upper half of the head, seen in profile, near the boundary dividing it from the lower half. From the vertical line bisecting the eye to the end of the muzzle the head forms a cone with a blunt apex, less obtuse when viewed from above (fig. 1) than from the side (fig. 2), where the lower slope is interrupted by the small “rictus oris:” this is formed by a kind of semicircular excavation of the under part of the snout, into which the short dentigerous part of the lower jaw fits, like a box in its lid. The length of the “ rictus” in a side view, straight line, is 2} inches in the male, 2 inches in the female. From the the parallel of the eye, the head, as it recedes, enlarges less rapidly; and the trunk continues gradually to expand to about midway between the end of the snout and the base of the tail. The widest part of the trunk is a little more forward in the male than in the female. According to the figures, the pectoral fin becomes free 1 foot 1 inch behind the snout in the male, and 1 foot 4 inches in the female; but there may be some imaccuracy here. The length of the fin in both is 1 foot; its extreme breadth is 45 inches in the male, 4 inches in the female: its line of attachment is in the lower third of the trunk, as seen in profile. The dorsal fin is well developed, subfalcate in shape; its anterior border is halfway between the snout and the base of the tail. The length of the base of the fin is 10 inches in the male, 9 inches in the female: the height of the fin, vertically at its back part, where the apex curves back a little beyond the basal attach- ment, is 7 inches in both. The anterior border of the fin is slightly convex; its length, in a straight line, is 1 foot. The body, as has been said, gradually expands to near the origin of the dorsal fin, and thence contracts to the setting-on of the caudal fin: here the tail, or tail-end of the trunk, measures 34 to 4 inches in vertical and nearly 2 inches in transverse diameter. The expansion of the trunk is pretty equal in every direction towards the dorsal fin, and the upper surface gives the appearance of the fore part being subdepressed: the dunmu- tion beyond the dorsal is more rapid from side to side than from above downward. The greatest vertical diameter of the trunk is, in the male, | foot 64 inches, in the 32 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. female 1 foot 4} inches: the greatest transverse diameter of the trunk in the female is 1 foot 2 inches. The caudal fin, the shape of which is given in fig. 2, Pl. X., measures, in the female, 1 foot 7 inches in extreme breadth, and 7 inches across the base of each lateral. lobe. Between the dorsal and caudal fins, and nearer the latter, the mid line of tegument is raised into a longish, very low and obtuse ridge. The vent opens 1 foot 10 inches in advance of the posterior cleft of the tail-fin in the male, and 1 foot 7 inches from the same part in the female. It is 10 inches behind the vertical line dropped from the back border of the dorsal fin, in the male, and 8 inches behind the same part in the female. The vulva is three inches in advance of the vent; the prepuce of the male is 9 inches in advance. The note, as to colour, accompanying the drawings is—“‘ Above shining black, smooth ; beneath paler, pinkish, but in one discoloured with blood.” The dentition is =e=a20 (PIS XE fig sili yay ise). 9-9 The Physeteride (Cachalots or Sperm-Whales) are characterized by having the open- ing of the mouth inferior in position, not terminal. The largest known species (Physeter macrocephalus, Linn.) has a reduced or boss-like representative of the dorsal tegu- mentary fin, and a dorsal longitudinal ridge has been attributed to it near the base of the tail. The soft parts of the head, which project in advance of the jaws or opening of the mouth, form a large obtuse truncate mass. The external blow-hole is reduced by its operculum or flap toa single sigmoid fissure on the left side of the upper and fore part of the head, 7. e. at or near to the summit of the truncate end of the snout. The functional teeth are limited to the lower jaw, and chiefly to the long symphysial part ; those of the upper jaw, when present, are minute and concealed in the thick gum, in fossee which receive the summits of the larger lower teeth when the mouth is closed. The maxillary bones are so developed as to bound a large concavity, or chamber, for the “ spermaceti,” at the upper part of the skull in advance of the short brain-case (PI. XIV. fig. 2, 21’). The question put by Cuvier, whether any large Sperm-Whale may exist, characterized as above, but with a high dorsal fin, with the blow-hole near the forehead on the middle of the head, and with the mandibular rami not united at a long dentigerous symphysis, still waits a reply from a direct and good observer of such problematic Cachalot. The Sperm-Whale towed ashore in the harbour of Port Jackson, New South Wales, December 1849, and referred by Macleay to the species ‘“ Catodon australis”2, had the blow-hole situated at the upper termination of the snout, as in the true Sperm- Whale* ; and the dentigerous symphysis of the mandible was more than half the entire * Ossemens Fossiles, 4to. vol. v. pt. i. p. 340, * «History and Description of the Skeleton of a new Sperm-Whale, lately set up in the Australian Museum,’ by Wm. 8. Wall, Curator. 8yo. Sydney, 1851. ealb psec PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. 53 length of the ramus (48 inches to 92 inches)'. The blubber-portion of the carcase having been removed previously to the articulator’s arrival on the spot?, no observa on the condition of the dorsal fin or hump was made. Cuvier characterizes the ‘“Cachalot macrocéphale” (Catodon macrocephalus, Art., Physeter macrocephalus, Linn.) as having the back provided with a slightly raised prominence, which some have called “ fin,” others “longitudinal ridge”, others “ hump” or “tubercle” (doc. cit. p. 338): “Il a une dorsale trés-peu saillante vers I’ arriére du dos, quelquefois réduite 4 une protubérance, ou 4 deux ou trois” (ib. p. 339). In the *Regne Animal,’ Cuvier says, “Il n’a qu'une éminence calleuse au lieu de nageoire dorsale” (tom. i. p. 294, ed. 1829). In the judicious criticism on the alleged or nominal species of Sperm-Whales, in the ‘ Ossemens Fossiles, Cuvier asks, “ Existe-t-il en outre des Cachalots a haute dorsale? en existe-t-il dont l’évent soit percé prés du front sur le milieu de la téte? en existe-t-il ou les branches de la machoire inférieure ne soient pas réunies sur la plus grande partie de leur longueur en une symphyse cylindrique? Voila ce qui reste a chercher, ce qui reste 4 prouver autrement que par des figures tracées par des matelots. Ce nest quaprés que des hommes éclairés auront observé ces étres avec soin, et en auront déposé les parties osseuses dans des collections ou elles puissent étre vérifiées par des naturalistes, qu il sera possible a la critique de les admettre dans le catalogue des animaux” (tom. cit. p. 340). As regards large Cachalots these questions, as I have remarked, still wait their solu- tion. In the small Cetacean called ‘‘ Wonga,” of the seas washing the eastern coast of the Indian peninsula, we have, however, a satisfactory reply to them. In it we possess a member of the Physeteride—a Cachalot in fact—though small, in which the dorsal is lofty, with the usual shape of such well-developed fin in Cetacea, in which the blow-hole is not terminal but near the forehead, and in which, as will pre- sently be shown, the mandibular rami are united by a symphysis of less than half the length of the “rami.” The inferior mouth, unsymmetrical blow-hole, and the second tegumentary production in form of the dorsal ridge, shown in the careful drawings by the native artist, significantly indicated the family affinities of the “ Wonga:” the enlightened attention and care bestowed by Mr. Elliot on this seldom-studied branch of zoology has enabled me to place this conclusion on unequivocal grounds, through his transmission, with the drawings, of the skull of one of the individuals figured. To the study and comparison of this precious evidence I have devoted full attention : it is figured, half the natural size, in Plates XII., XIII., & XIV. fig. 1. Its peculiarity of form is extreme: perhaps no other Cetacean skull has yet been observed in which the cranial so greatly preponderates over the rostral part. In the degree in which this pro- portion prevails in the skull first made known by De Blainville as of the Cachalot which he called Physeter breviceps®, and in that subsequently described by Macleay * under 1 Op. cit. p. 9. ? Op. cit. p. 4. 3 Annales Francaises et Etrangéres d’Anatomie et de Physiologie, tom. ii. (Svo, 1838) p. 335: “Sur les Cachalots.” 4 Op. cit. VOL. VI.—PART I. F 54 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. the name Euphysetes grayi, may be discerned at a glance the more immediate affinities of the present species, which I propose to call Physeter (Euphysetes) simus, in reference to its peculiarly short obtuse muzzle. Description of the Skuil. (Pls. XII., XIIL, & XIV. fig. 1.) Short as is the upper jaw in proportion to the skull in Phocena brevirostris (Pl. IX.), it is shorter in the subgenus or section of Physeteridw represented by the Physeter breviceps, De Bl. (Pl. XIV. fig. 3), and shortest of all in the present species (ib. fig. 1). In the following Table of admeasurements are given those of the Physeter (Euphysetes) grayi, Macleay (the larger species which was stranded on the Maroobrah beach, near Sydney, New South Wales, and the skeleton of which is now in the Australian Museum of that city), with the few admeasurements appended by De Blainville to his notice of Physeter breviceps, from the Cape of Good Hope. | | | } P. simus. P. grayi. P. breviceps. inches. lines. | inches. lines. | inches, lines. | Length from the back of occipital condyles to end of snout....| 10 5 16 6 15 5 Breadth across postorbital processes ..............0000000- 14 0 Breadth across the beginning of malo-maxillary fissure ...... 9 6 From the back of occipital condyle to antorbital process of LCA hs A OMOO COG OM ORTOU OO HORIIOD Ones SoCo, oer | From the antorbital process of malar to end of snout ........ From the back of occipital condyles to posterior wall of left MOSER oeayay ave craleve stares eens calcio ale CPS Pace cue pete Oe ears | From the bottom of malo-maxillary fissure to end of snout... | From the beginning of malo-maxillary fissure to end of snout. . | Breadth of snout between the fore part of the antorbital notches GuinthallGia7s Shas See Oce Eno rOS Ane Sane oleae onan | Breadth of snout at its extremity .......-...-ccseeese sess | Breadth of premaxillaries at the malo-maxillary fissure ...... | Breadth between anterior ends of premanillaries............ | Antero-posterior diameter of left nostril jstransyerse diameter/ot: left most: ovens « savers eavecto neon | Antero-posterior diameter of right nostril Transyerse diameter of right nostril. ..../...).s.ceeeeu es | Length of interfrontal crest, straight line | Width of occipital foramen jeventicalsdiameten/of foramen... ts yosvoiis cuits eisai eerenee ee Between outer edges of occipital condyles Breadth between paroceipitals .. 22... shee edt ee dace nes | From the lower border of basioccipital to vertex | Length of mandible, in a straight line /enethiofjalveolar: series)” 1.2/4.1. / uw ctide 4 acer. stern eee Height of mandible at coronoid ridge ES ive) a ou Die = w 10 DW DNBNHHPWOSCHRFPONE ER BOF eal HOADWODW AP WOT OH O poo oo 7 i jen AOOFURNHAPONNHE WHO Ont & WWWOOSCKANORDRrOWDOSO ooo In the skull of the Physeter simus the occipital elements have coalesced with each other and with the surrounding bones. The vertical diameter of the basioccipital * Annales Frangaises et Etrangéres d’Anatomie et de Physiologie, tom. ii. tab. x. (the admeasurements are given in French inches), viz. :—‘ Longueur du erane 14 pouces et demi,’”=15" 5’”, Engl. “ Longueur de la machoire inférieure 13 pouces,’=13" 10”, Engl. Ecartement de ses condyles 12 pouces,”=12" 9'” Engl. PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. 85 (Pls. XII., XTII., & XIV. fig. 2, 1) beneath the foramen magnum (ib. 0) is 8 lines: it is here convex vertically, and concave transversely, showing a width between the lower end of the occipital condyles (to which it probably contributed) of only 4 lines. These (Pl. XII. fig. 2, 2") are more sessile than in Phocena brevirostris, being raised only by a linear border from the contiguous bone, except at their lower ends, which are rather more prominent: the long diameter of the condyle is 2” 2’, the greatest breadth 1”: they are terminal, diverge as they ascend the sides of the foramen magnum, which is widest opposite their upper ends: the outer border of the condyle is more convex than the inner one. The foramen magnum is oval, with the larger end upward and not notched: the aspect of the plane of the aperture is backward and a little upward: in Physeter macrocephalus (Pl. XIV. fig. 2, 0) it is more upward than backward. The ex- (2) and superoccipital (3,3') plate inclines from below, upward, outward, and forward, with a moderate convexity or indication of a pair of such. The exoc- cipital portion (Pl. XII. 2) extends outward and slightly downward, expanding a little vertically, and thickening to form the paroccipital (4); this expanse is moderately concave transversely, convex vertically. The border of the paroccipital is thick and rugged: it is concave toward the otocrane (PI. XII. fig. 1, and Pl. XIII. fig. 2, e), of which it forms the posterior half of the upper, and part of the posterior wall: it is divided below by a fissure (Pls. XII. & XIII. fig. 2,7) from the otocranial plate of the basioccipito-sphenoid (Pl. XII. fig. 1, and Pl. XIII. fig. 2,5’): this plate arches out- ward and downward, with a slight obliquity backward, and is overlapped anteriorly by the pterygoid (ib. 24’), which seems to form an anterior continuation thereof, converging towards its fellow: but the free border of the basisphenoidal otocranial plate (5’) is more obtuse and thicker than that of its pterygoid prolongation (24). A trace of the suture between the exoccipital (Pl. XII. fig. 1, 2) and squamosal (ib. 27) remains. ‘The ridge across the vertex (Pls. XII. & XIII. fig. 1, 7,11,3) is obtuse, but well marked : the proportions contributed by the superoccipital (3), parietal (7), and interparietal (if any) cannot be determined; and the frontal (11), as it ascends, contracting from the superorbital roof, is also blended with those constituents of the ridge’. The instructive harmonia between basi- (Pls. XIII. & XIV. fig. 1, 5) and presphenoid (ib. 9) remains. The alisphenoid (Pl. XIII. fig. 2,6), coalesced with the basisphenoid, where it is underlapped by the pterygoid ( 24’ ), is horizontal; it extends to the lower border of 1 To afford a comparison with Physeter macrocephalus, I propose to append, in the present note, descrip- tions of the homologous cranial bones of a foetus of that species described, in my ‘ Catalogue of the Osteological Series in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons,’ 4to. 1853:—‘ The elements of the occipital neural arch are unanchylosed. The lateral margins of the anterior half of the basioccipital are produced and bent obliquely downward. The exoccipitals are much produced and expanded laterally: they are deeply notched below. The superoccipital contributes the upper ends of both condyles: it is in the form of a vertical plate, conyex from side to side: a strong internal yertical crest is produced forwards: it is overlapped at its lower and lateral angles by the exoccipitals, anterior to which it reaches the alisphenoids, and is notched externally for the reception of the upper angle of the squamosal” (op. cit. p. 442). _ F2 56 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. the temporal fossa (ib. ¢), underlapping the squamosal (ib. 27), and thinning-off to its outer margin: its anterior border is notched by the intersphenal fossa (tr): there is no distinct foramen ovale. It supports the natiform protuberance of the cerebrum, and is divided from the orbitosphenoid (ib. 10) by the intersphenal fissure (¢r), from which two channels lead toward the back part of the orbital roof (07), blending together and widening as they grow shallow. The temporal fossa (Pl. XI. & Pl. XIII. fig. 2, t) is 1” 1” in antero-posterior, and 2” in transverse extent, has its marginal boundary almost completed by the approximation of the postfrontal (ib. 12) to the zygo- matic part of the squamosal (ib. 27), the distance between their free ends being but 6”; but the zygoma terminates on a lower level (Pl. XII. fig. 1, 27). The presphenoid (Pls. XIII. & XIV. fig. 2,9) retains its distinction from the basi- sphenoid (5), but has coalesced with the orbitosphenoids (10), as have these with the alisphenoids (6). The orbitosphenoid (ib. 10) has its posterior boundary partially defined by the inter- sphenal fissure, at the fore part of which the optic canal is marked off by an intercranial process arching over the same downward and backward (Pl. XIV. fig. 2,2): the orbito- sphenoids expand and ascend to form with the coalesced frontals the anterior wall of the cranial cavity ; the optic channel extends forward and outward from the intersphenal fissure, and, blending with the trigeminal one (Pl. XIII. fig. 2, tr), is lost on the roof of the orbit (ib. or)”. The fossa (ib. d), into which the foramina on the frontal or nasal plate of the maxillary opens, is in advance of the optic channel (ib. 10). There is no intraorbital fossa answering to that in Phocena brevirostris. The roof of the orbit is unbroken, gently con- cave from before backward, formed chiefly by the frontal (Pl. XII. fig. 1,11, 11'), which is notched near the middle of the superorbital ridge: this is thick, obtuse, and produced backward and downward into a postfrontal or postorbital process (ib. 12). Above the ridge, the frontal (ib. 11’) contracts; its surface is here free from the maxillary (21’), is slightly concave vertically, before it is reduced by the overlapping of the parietal (7) and superocci- pital (3) behind, and of the maxillary ( 21’ ) in front, to the narrow strip (1), which rises, bending convexly, to the vertex. The fore part of the superorbital ridge (11) is cb- tuse, and thickens to join the malar (26), from which it is partly divided by a notch, * «The basisphenoid, or thick hexagonal bone, concave from side to side below, nearly flat above, is anchylosed to the alisphenoids: these are perforated near the middle of their base by the foramina ovalia and rotunda, have a thick quadrate plate on their inner side, forming their entocranial surface : they extend into a point anteriorly, and articulate both with the frontal and with the parietal angle of the superoccipital, The squamosal receives the alisphenoid in a groove anteriorly.” —Physeter macrocephalus, op. cit. p. 442. * «The presphenoid and the anchylosed orbitosphenoids form the anterior wall of the cranial cavity, and are perforated by the optic foramina: they articulate anteriorly with the frontal, sending up a small process into the interspace at the beginning of the frontal suture, which process is impressed by a fossa in each of its sides: the posterior and lateral parts of the orbitosphenoids unite with the great ale; the under and anterior part is overlapped by the vomer.”—Physeter macrocephalus, op. cit. p. 447. * «The frontals are large triangular plates, concave externally, with the outer and fore angle produced into PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. 37 The vomer (Pl. XIII. figs. 1 & 2, 13, 13’) has partially coalesced with the presphenoid (ib. fig. 2,9) and underlaps the prefrontals (Pl. XIV. fig. 1, 14): it appears upon the palate, about an inch in advance of the posterior fissure (Pl. XIII. fig. 2, w), expands toa breadth of 6 lines (13'), and is continued to the anterior end of the upper jaw, which it forms, contracting there to a breadth of 3 lines. Its under surface is flat; its upper surface (fig. 1, 13), which is similarly exposed on that aspect of the muzzle, is smoothly and widely canaliculate: the groove lodges the cartilage in the fissure separating the premaxil- laries (ib. 22), which cartilage terminates anteriorly the series of vertebral centrums, of which the vomer is the inferior or cortical ossification. The fore margin of the confluent prefrontals (ib. 14) isat 3 inches distance from the fore end of the vomer. The prefrontal, losing breadth and gaining depth, recedes with a slight bend to the left, forming the inner boundary of the large left nostril (ib. 07) and the corresponding wall of the small right nostril (Pl. XIV. fig. 1, o/’). The nasal bones are confluent with that osseous mass (PI. XIII. fig. 1,15) which rises from the back of the septum narium and extends in a sinuous course, first convex to the left and then concave before subsiding at the vertex (15'): this ridge also sends off a kind of “spur” (15) from its right side, in the form of a short ridge, inclining to the right, with a convex border, thick and obtuse like that of the main ridge: the intervening space (ib. y) between these ridges expands as it extends forward, with a smooth sinuous surface concave across slightly contracting again as it ends behind the right nostril!. A trace of the suture of the palatines (PI. XIII. fig. 2,20) shows that they entered into the formation of the bony palate for half an inch at the postpalatal end of the vomer (13'), almost meeting each other behind that part: as they extend outward, they expand to a fore-and-aft breadth of 10”, with a convex surface, most so in their direction from withm, outward and backward, contracting to terminate mesiad of the fossa (d): they develope no outer or free lamella in Euphysetes. a long superorbital process, the channel on the under part of which contracts, as it approaches the cranium, into a long, deep, and narrow groove. The median anterior part of the bone unites with both orbito- and ali- sphenoid, and external to this is the broad sutural surface for the sqnamosal. The straight median margins of the frontals are thinned off and joined by a squamous frontal suture, the right overlapping the left. The whole posterior and lateral border of the frontals, as far as the junction with the squamosal, presents a broad oblique sutural surface, which joins, by overlapping, the contiguous border of the occipital. The smooth cerebral surface of the frontal is flat at the middle, arched at the sides, and not impressed by any conyolutions.” —Physeter macrocephalus, op. cit. p. 442. 1M. de Blainville figures, but makes no mention of this bony ridge bisecting the ‘ postnarial’’ cayity. Dr. Gray, in appending the term Kogia to the Physeter breviceps, De Blainy. (Zoology of the Erebus and Terror, ‘‘ Cetacea,” 4to. 1846, p. 22), is equally silent—indeed, adds nothing to De Blainyille’s meagre sketch of so remarkable a cranium, and quotes his admeasurements as in English inches and lines, without correction for the difference of the French “foot.” Macleay was the first who pointed out the heavy ridge of bone that longitudinally divides the spermacetic cavity into two unequal parts (op. cit. p. 47) as sub- generically distinguishing his Huphysetes from Physeter or Catodon, 2 38 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. The maxillary (Pl. XII. fig. 1, Pl. XIII. figs. 1 and 2, 21) forms the major part of the bony roof of the mouth: a small triangular strip of the premaxillary (Pl. XTIT. fig. 2, 22) is wedged into the short anterior interspace between the maxillary (2) and vomer (13'). The palatal surface (21*) is moderately convex transversely, straight lengthwise, and is impressed by an alveolar groove (a/) retaining one socket and tooth (Pl. XII. fig. 1, x) at the fore end and continued in a straight line backward for 3 inches (rather more on the left, rather less on the right side) without indications of alveoli, and in a line not parallel with the outer margin of the bone, but receding to a distance of 1 inch from it, posteriorly; so that the teeth, if developed there, would be rather palatal than marginal in position. The outer border of the maxillary thickens near the malo-maxillary fissure (21, 4), with a smooth convex exterior. That fissure dilates, as it sinks obliquely backward and inward, to a breadth of from 5 lines to 4 lines, its depth being | inch 6 lines (#4). These fissures mark off the rostral portion of the skull, which is here an equilateral triangle, including above (Pl. XIII. fig. 1) parts of the vomer (13), prefrontal (14), premaxillaries (22), and maxillaries (21): the surface so formed is concaye transversely at its posterior three-fourths, almost straight longitudinally. The maxillary, expanding backward beyond the rostrum, bends (at /, fig. 1) round the upper and back part of the malo-maxillary fissure ; and in close conjunction (here partial con- fluence) with the malar (26), it forms the large smooth tuberosity (21,26) external to the fissure: from the tuberosity the convex raised border of the posterior expanded plate of the maxillary comes into connexion with the frontal (11), whence it subsides to form a deep hollow as it sweeps inward to rise again upon the bifurcate sinuous ridge (ib. 15,15”) which divides this singular postnarial tract, or spermacetic cavity, of the upper surface of the cranium. ‘The total breadth of this cavity is 6 inches 4 lines, the posterior three-fourths of its circumference, so bounded by the maxillaries and describing as much of a circle, being a little produced backward, subangularly, at the hindmost part: the open anterior fourth is continued upon the more shallow concavity of the triangular rostrum. The right maxillary is vertically pierced by two foramina (Pl. XIII. fig. 1, a, d), which converge to the common inferior outlet (ib. fig. 2,d). The upper fissure between the maxillary and premaxillary widens and deepens as it extends backward, and terminates in the canal (fig. 1, ¢), also conducting to the fossa (fig. 2, d), which, as it transmits maxillary branches of the fifth pair from the orbit to the exterior of the skull, is homologous with the antorbital foramen of other mammals: the altered position of the outlet, as regards the orbit itself, is the result of the reflection, so to speak, of the facial surface and nasal plates of the maxillaries upon the forehead above and behind the orbits. The pterygoids (Pl. XIII. fig. 2, 24) meet at the midsurface of the roof of the mouth, and extend the palatine suture (p/) backward beyond the palatine bones (20). From this line each pterygoid extends outward and backward, and divides into an internal and external pterygoid plate: the former terminates in a short triedral process, representing PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. 39 the “hamular” one; the outer portion, partly marked off by a ridge from the palatine plate of the inner portion, bends outward and backward with a convexity toward the palate, then slightly inward, as if twisted on itself, and, expanding at its upper attach- ments to the pre-, orbito-, ali-, and basi-sphenoids, terminates by developing the deep and broad plate (ib. 24’) which appears to continue forward the otocranial plate (s') of the basioccipito-sphenoid. The inner surface of the outer part of the pterygoid is vertically concave to its posterior lamella, which is so bent as to make that surface somewhat convex: the concave channel prolongs backward the nasal passage (w) beyond the septum. A semicircular emargination divides the posterior subvertical plate from the palatine portion (24) of the pterygoid. The total length of the pterygoid is 4 inches 8 lines; the breadth of the pair of bones posteriorly is 5 inches; the sutural union of the pterygoid with surrounding bones persists’. The malar bone (PI. XII. fig. 1, Pl. XIII. figs. 1, 2, 26) is represented in the present skull by the portion of that in Delphinidw (Pl. IX. figs. 1, 3,26") which is wedged like a lacrymal? between the frontal (11’) and maxillary (21”) at the upper and fore part of the orbit (or): it is here of a subtriedral conical shape, with its base notched for a wedged union with the maxillary above, and concave where it joins the frontal behind: the inner angle of the base curves forward, with a slight twist, to unite again with the maxillary at the inner side of the malo-maxillary fissure (#). The outer facet of the malar is slightly concave vertically, convex transversely: the antero-internal facet is concave im both directions, except where it curves anteriorly round the obtuse angle between it and the outer surface: the internal or orbital surface is the narrowest, and is conxex trans- versely, and straight vertically. The apex is subbifid, the outer part (Pl. XII. fig. 1, z) low and obtuse, the inner one longer, produced downward and rather backward, and terminating less obtusely; but there is no sign of any slender zygomatic style having been continued from this part, as in Phocena brevirostris (Pl. IX. fig. 1,26). It would seem, therefore, that the zygomatic processes of both malar and squamosal were short and free; they are separated by an interval of more than 2 inches in the present skull, which interval I found occupied by a ligament (“sclerous” state of malar) in a young Cachalot?. The squamosal forms an articular surface (Pl. XIII. fig. 2, 27, g) for the mandible, look- 1 «The pterygoid, which is double the size of the palatine, extends backward to the basioccipital, articulating in that course by its expanded upper border with the pre-, pbasi-, and ali-sphenoids; from this border the bone descends arching inward toward its fellow, which it joins along the anterior half of its extent: the remain- ing free border is divided from this by a deep notch, and cireumscribes the posterior bony aperture of the nostril.” —Physeter macrocephalus, op. cit. p. 443. 2 Tf this be the homologue of a lacrymal, it is not merely confluent, but connate with the malar. 3 «The malar is moderately long and slender, bent upon itself at an acute angle; the upper portion, wedged between the maxillary and frontal, is the thickest ; the lower and more slender branch is bent down- ward and backward, circumscribing the orbit anteriorly and below, and is connected by ligament to the zygomatic process of the squamosal. There is no lacrymal pone.” —Physeter macrocephalus, op. cit. p. 444. 40 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. ing downward and forward: the surface is rather convex at the anterior border from behind forward, and is very slightly concave in the rest of its extent; it is smooth and with an ill-defined circumference: the anterior boundary, which also forms the posterior one of the lower outlet of the temporal fossa, is concave: the wall (Pl. XII. fig. 1, 27) which the squamosal contributes to the posterior and internal part of the temporal fossa (¢) expands as it bends forward to join the parietal (7) and frontal (11): the suture with the superoccipital (3) is close to the upper boundary of the fossa; that with the exoccipital (2) continues a short way beyond the squamosal, and indicates the extent of the exoccipital. On the outer part of the base of the zygomatic or articular process the bone is tuberous, and represents the mastoid (8); behind the articular surface it is roughly excavated (Pl. XIII. fig. 2, 8’), where it contributes, with the paroccipital (4), to the otocranial cavity’. In the interior of the cranium (Pl. XIV. fig. 1) the upper or epencephalic surface of the basioccipital is moderately concave, and is bounded laterally by a short, obtuse, longi- tudinal ridge, directed mesiad, which may be where the exoccipital suture ran: the outer or lateral beginning of the tentorium receives a short angular ossification, which forms the outer wall of the fossa (v), perforated by the vagal and acoustic foramina, both of which pass directly outward to that at the back part of the fundus of the otocranial cavity (Pl. XII. fig. 1, Pl. XIII. fig. 2, e). A small branch channel from the vagal one opens upon the outer surface of the exoccipital at the groove which runs to the cleft (Pl. XII. fig. 2, 7) between the otocranial plates of the basisphenoid (5) and paroccipitals (4). At the fore part of the tentorial process (Pl. XIV. fig. 1,v) is the foramen of a canal which opens outwardly upon the alisphenoid: it is too small for the carotid, and may have given exit to a vein. I cannot discover any distinct entocarotid canal, any more than a distinct foramen ovale, foramen rotundum, or foramen opticum: they all seem here to be confounded in the intersphenal fissure (Pl. XIII. fig. 2, #7). From the extreme shortness of the jaws, the nerves of sensation to the face must have been very small. ‘The “sella” (Pl. XIV. figs. 1 & 3), scarcely impresses the basisphenoid : its best antero-external boundaries are afforded by the superoptic processes of the orbitosphenoid (ib. m). There is no ossification of the falx?, no trace of olfactory foramina. The great- est diameter of the cranial cavity is in the direction of breadth. The lower jaw (PI. XII. fig. 1, 29-32) is 7 inches 4 lines ina straight line from the back ‘ «The squamosal is a comparatively small, but strong and thick, triangular bone; the upper end repre- sents the expanded squamous part in land mammals, and is articulated by broad, dentated sutural margins to the frontal and exoccipital : its anterior border is grooved for the reception of the alisphenoid: the lower angle is as it were truncated, and presents a rough surface for the attachment of the petro-tympanic: a short, obtuse anterior angle bends forward and represents the zygomatic process: the under surface presents a smooth shallow cavity for the condyle of the lower jaw: the inner border of the glenoid surface is produced downward into a slender process.” —Physeter macrocephalus, op. cit. p. 444. * In the Great Cachalot “a strong medial crest is produced forward from the inner surface of the super- occipital” (loc. cit. p. 442), PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. 4] of the condyle to the fore end of the symphysis. Each ramus has a convex, almost semicircular posterior margin, curving upward and backward from below (30), where the angle normally exists in other mammals, and then forward to the seat of the coronoid process (29): at the hindmost part of this curve the border is thickened to form the sessile condyle, adapted to the glenoid surface of the squamosal. Here the border bends outward: as the ramus advances, converging to its fellow, it is slightly bent with the convexity outward, which again is changed to a concavity (lengthwise), where it joins the opposite ramus to form the elongate symphysis (32), which is continued straight forward to its termination. The symphysis here forms rather less than a third of the entire length of the mandible, being 2 inches 4 lines in extent. The greatest vertical diameter of the ramus is 2 inches 2 lines; that at the beginning of the symphysis is 8 lines!. In the alveolar groove are partially excavated sockets for nine teeth; the four middle intervals are severally equal to twice the basal diameter of the tooth: at the ends of the series, especially the anterior one, the alveolar intervals are less. The teeth (Pl. XII. fig. 1, and 4) are small, straight, conical, obtuse, not exceeding 8 lines in length, of which the cylindrical base has a diameter of 2 lines, that of the crown a diameter of 14 line, with a length of 24 lines, diminishing to a subrecurved apex. The loss of symmetry in this skull is hardly observable im the general contour, whether viewed from above (Pl. XIII. fig. 1) or below (fig. 2): it is chiefly, almost exclusively, confined to the nostrils and the bones concerned in the composition of those passages; and this is only conspicuous in the upper surface of the skull. In Euphysetes breviceps, BL., according to the figure of the side view of the skull (copied in Pl. XIV. fig. 3), the occipital condyle is more prominent than in Huphysetes simus (P). XII. fig. 1): the contour of the superoccipital is concave in Huphysetes breviceps, but is convex in Euphysetes simus—very feebly so, indeed, but as far as it departs from a straight line being in the direction of convexity. The most marked difference, however, is the greater proportional length of the rostral part of the, skull—measured, viz., from the ma- lomaxillary fissure (ib. & Pl. XIII. &) to the end of the upper jaw (2, ©): in Euphysetes breviceps it forms about two-fifths of the entire length of the skull, in Luphysetes simus about two-sevenths. The proportion of the maxillary, above the frontal and malar, on 1 «The condyle of the mandible projects from the posterior part of the ascending ramus, which is com- pressed and produced into a low obtuse coronoid process above, and into a similar angle below: a wide excavation, beginning at the inner side of the ascending ramus, deepens and contracts into the dental canal which enters the substance of the horizontal ramus: a fissure is continued along the inner side of the ramus from this canal, and is the sole indication of a compound structure of the jaw. The vessels and nerves emerge from several foramina at the outer side of the ramus, where it is attached by its long symphysis to its fellow : the upper border of the symphysial part of the ramus is excavated by a continuous dentigerous groove, some- what resembling, in the present foetal state, that in the upper jaw. The length of the symphysis in this skull is three-fourths that of the rest of the ramus. In the adult male the disproportionate growth of this part of the jaw leads to more excessive length of the symphysial part beyond the rest of the ramus.”—Qp. cit. p. 444, foetal Physeter macrocephalus. VOL. VI —PART I. G 42 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. the exterior of the skull is much greater in Huphysetes breviceps than in Euphysetes simus, especially in vertical extent: in the upper view of the skull the porportion of the postnarial cavity, especially in breadth, to the extent of the rostrum is less in Euphysetes breviceps than in Huphysetes simus. 'To these differences must be added the difference in the number and shape of the teeth. In Euphysetes breviceps there are fourteen or fifteen teeth, or sockets for as many, in each mandibular ramus: the entire tooth, figured by De Blain- ville (copied in Pl. XIV. fig 2. 2), is 10 lines in length, and has a proportionally larger and more curved crown than in Euphysetes simus. De Blainville writes, “Il me parait & peu pres certain qu il n’y avait pas de dents 4 la machoire supérieure” (1. c. p. 337) ; and these are equally absent in Euphysetes grayi: the first of the maxillary series remains exposed, as a functional tooth, in the quite adult skull of the smaller Indian species, Euphysetes simus. From Euphysetes grayi the present species differs not only in this dental character and its smaller size, but in its proportionally shorter muzzle, and in the minor number and wider disposition of the mandibular teeth. Thirteen teeth are found in each ramus of the lower jaw of the specimen of Euphysetes grayi in the Sydney Museum: they are divided by interspaces of less than their own basal diameter, and have relatively longer crowns than those of E. simus. There are twelve teeth in the right, and nine teeth in the left ramus of the mandible of Huphysetes breviceps, De Blainy.: they are as wide apart as in Ewphysetes simus, but have crowns more slender and recurved. In the figures of the mandible given by De Blainville (oc. cit. pl. 10), and by Macleay (Joc. cit. pl. 2. fig. 5), the breadth between the outer parts of the condyles equals the length of the mandible in a straight line, that is, from the middle of the chord drawn between the condyles to the end of the symphysis. In Euphysetes simus the breadth exceeds the length so taken. Among other differences between the present member of the Physeteride and the Delphinide (see Phocena brevirostris, Pl. LX. fig. 1) is the non-production of the upper or hinder expansion (naso-frontal plate) of the maxillary (Pl. XII. fig. 1, 21*, 21”) over the orbital process of the frontal( 1,11’); which, therefore, in Euphysetes simus as in Euphysetes breviceps, stands out free (Pl. XII. fig. 1,1’) from the upper and lateral parts of the cranium behind the maxillary ( 21’ 21”), Bones of the Trunk and Fins. (PI. XI. fig. 2.) Having been favoured with photographs of these bones in Euphysetes grayi by the present able Curator (Mr. Kreffts) of the Australian Museum, I have thought it might be useful to add the following notes :— Euphysetes (Pl. XI. fig. 2) has fifty vertebrae, viz. seven cervical, fourteen dorsal, twenty-nine lumbari-sacro-caudal: in the latter series the hemapophysial arch first appears between the sixth and seventh (or between the twenty-seventh and twenty- eighth vertebre counting from the skull): the hemapophyses cease to be developed at PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. 45 the twentieth (or forty-first from the skull), leaving ten, perhaps eleven, terminal vertebre represented by depressed centrums, gradually diminishing to the last. The seven cervicals are anchylosed: the diapophyses distinguish the atlas and axis, the former of which vertebre does not retain, as in Physeter, its separate condition; the fifth, sixth, and seventh are lamelliform, from extreme anteroposterior compression. The dorsal spines progressively, but very gradually, gain in height to the last; beyond which they again, and more rapidly, shorten to the base of the tail, disappearing in the fortieth vertebra from the skull. The metapophysis begins to project above the prozygapophysis in the fifth dorsal, and supersedes that process in the articulation of the neural arches in the seventh or eighth dorsal. The four anterior pairs of ribs directly join the sternum, which consists of three sternebers, each more or less completely divided at the middle line into two bones. The first rib is broad, flat, and angularly bent, articulated by the tubercle to the first dorsal diapophysis, and by a ligament representing the head to the centrum of the seventh cervical: its connate sternal portion articulates with the antero- external angle of the manubrium. The second and six following ribs have both head and tubercle, the former abutting against the interspace of their own and antecedent centrums; the tubercle of the rib is attached to the diapophysis of its own vertebra: the second rib, less broad but one-fourth longer than the first, has a short, partly ossified cartilage, which joins the interspace between the first and second sternebers. The third, gaining length, losing breadth, and with more regular curvature, is arti- culated by its short hemapophysis to the interspace between the second and third sternebers. The fourth rib is joined to the end of the third sterneber. After the seventh the ribs lose their heads, become shorter, more slender, less curved—gradually to the tenth, which is 9 inches in length—suddenly in the fourteenth, which is a straight style is hardly an inch long. There are two pairs of pelvic bone. ‘The pectoral fins are relatively short and rather obtuse. The scapula is a flat triangular plate, with a con- vexly curved base, in extent equalling the fore-and-aft range of the five anterior dorsal spines. An obtuse rising near the anterior costa, at its humeral half, developes near the glenoid cavity a small coracoid directed forward. The acromion is much larger, and is produced from a greater extent of the anterior costa in the form of a parallelo- gram. The ulna developes scarcely any olecranon. ‘There are five digits: the first and fifth are the shortest, each with a metacarpal and two phalanges; the second and third digits are the longest, with five and four phalanges respectively, besides the metacarpal ; the fourth digit, intermediate in length between the third and fifth, has a metacarpal and four phalanges. Conclusion. The first remark that I am led to make on a review of the cetacean characters above- defined in connexion with those previously recorded is, that they are all gradational, and exemplify steps by which are gained the extreme modifications, especially in the skull and dentition. @ 2 {4 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. Imperfect as may be the cetacean record, it yields several series of differential cha- racters,—as, ¢.g., in the proportion of the rostral to the cranial part of the skull, from Physeter simus to Physeter macrocephalus and Platanista—in the degree of expansion of the back part of the maxillaries, exemplified, step by step, in Balwna, Delphinus, Pho- cena, Ziphius, Euphysetes, and Physeter, again culminating in Platanista—in the number of teeth, from zero (Balena and old Delphinapteri), through Monodon, Ziphius, Huphy- setes, to the multitude of teeth in Delphinus, Cuv. The formation of germs of teeth in parts of the jaws of foetal or young individuals of species which are edentulous in the full-grown individuals, the examples of which are too well known to need citation here, are, perhaps, amongst the most significant of the gradational modifications, above referred to, being due to deviations in offspring from the characters of parents. Such departures or variations may have been slight in the first instance, few and far between in the members of a contemporary generation, and rare exceptions to the rule of hereditary likeness; but, occurring in the course of many generations, through long lapse of time, they might lead to “‘ long-snouted” and “ short-snouted” breeds, and to others exemplifying the various observed cranial and dental modifications of cetacean structures. In such conjectural mutations of specific characters may be discerned a fore-ordained law of deviation from primitive type, through the operance of which the ocean has at length become peopled with so many strange modifications of the cetacean structure. But such instances of exceptional freedom from the trammels of family likeness seem to be independent of external influences. The ocean has none of those diversities of condition which the dry land shows, and is exempt from the few which in fresh waters may be invoked to account for varieties in the species of fish. It is true that the trout (Salmo fario) of the mountain-streamlets is small, while that of the wide river or wider lake is large; but no such differences can be invoked to explain the origin of the dwarf Euphysetes or the giant Physeter: both have alike the unlimited seas for their range. But the same river may have the pike, the carp, the salmon, the eel, &c.; these modifications of the piscine type exist in waters of the same temperature, same rate of flow, and same nature of bed. Where can we here discern selective influences equiva- lent to produce such changes of structure? The hypothesis is still less conceivable in regard to the ocean. The various Cetacea of the Indian seas exist in a medium of the same nature, exempt from any influence of the earth beneath them, or of aught that may there live and grow. ‘The external influence or power that could “select” the maxillary wall of the circumnarial basin, e.g., in Hyperoodon, Ziphius, Euphysetes, Physeter, Platanista, is inconceivable. But the occasional departure from parental type, manifested by a so-called abnormal or monstrous proportion of the nasal or facial plate of the maxillary, may accord PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. 45 with the idea suggested by the observed steps in a gradation of such deyviational developments. So far the species thereby characterized may be held as evidences of orderly succession and progression due to inherent organic force, operating according to a natural law or “secondary cause,” of the precise nature of which we are yet in ignorance. But we may feel assured that the Power which called into being the first cetacean type fore- knew and planned, by predetermined degrees and kinds of departure from that type, all its subsequent modifications’. But much knowledge of the facts of organization is still needed for successfully grappling with these transcendent questions; and the progress of zoology has been slower in regard to the Cetaceans than to most other orders of animals. This is due to their medium of existence, to the extreme latitudes at which some of the species have to be sought for, and to the vast bulk which certain species attain2. The latter characteristic precludes the preservation and exposition of the requisite spe- cimens in private collections or even in those of associations of the cultivators of natural history willing to carry on the work of advancement of the science at their own cost and to the extent of their means and usually limited incomes. The diversities of structure exemplifying specific characters in Balena, Balwnoptera, Physeter, Hyperoodon, &c., and those which have suggested as many subgeneric divisions and names of the Cuvierian genera of those gigantic animals, are best exemplified in their skeletons, both by modifications of particular bones, and by proportions of the several regions of the skeleton; but the framework of these animals, put together to exemplify their articulations and proportions, require for their exhibition the resources of a National Museum. ‘There, and there only, can an intelligent public and the student of this branch of Mammalogy expect to find the means of contemplating and comparing the characters and structures of the strangest as well as hugest of animals—the most seldom seen, by reason of their ocean haunts—air-breathers, yet living in water—hot- blooded, though ever surrounded by a rapidly refrigerating medium—of man’s own class by every essential of organization, but fishes in shape—a recent development of life- form on our planet, and the superseders of the great sea-lizards in their office in the ocean police. Hitherto the expectations of both student and sightseer have been disappointed. Space (the first essential towards fulfilling this exigency) has been found too costly ; at all events the guardians of the public purse have thought it not desirable, as yet, to vote the sums requisite for the galleries, however simple in structure, which are needed for the Cetaceous Department of a Zoological Museum’. 1 Owen, ‘ On the Nature of Limbs,’ 1849, p. 86. 2 T may also add, from aggravating experience, the conflicting claims to the legal ownership of such monsters of the deep when they happen to be cast upon any part of the shores of Great Britain. 4’ See Hansard, ‘ Debate on Museum of Natural History,’ May 19th, 1862, p. 1928. 46 Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES. PLATE II. Delphinus (Steno) gadamu: diminished to scale. . Side view. . Upper view: 6 blow-hole. PLATE IV. Delphinus gadamu. . Side view of skull (wanting back part of cranium). . Side view of mandible. . Upper view of mandible: ss symphysis. . Symphysial end, inner view of mandible. . Bony palate. All the figures are nearly half the natural size. PLATE V. . Delphinus fusiformis, side view (diminished to scale). . Delphinus lentiginosus, side view (id.). . The same, upper view. PLATE VI. . Delphinus maculiventer (to scale of Plate V.). . The same, upper view. . Delphinus pomeegra (id.). PLATE VII. Delphinus fusiformis. . Side view of cranium and upper jaw. . Side view of lower jaw. . Upper view of cranium and upper jaw. . Under view of ditto. . Upper view of symphysis of lower jaw. All the figures are nearly half the natural size. PLATE VIII. . Side view of cranium and upper jaw of Delphinus pomeegra. . Under view of upper jaw of ditto. . Side view of under jaw of ditto. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. to) Fig. oo nw PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. . Upper view of symphysis of under jaw. . Under view of upper jaw of Delphinus euphrosyne. All the figures are half the natural size. PLATE IX. Phocena brevirostris. . Side view of cranium and upper jaw. . Upper view of ditto. . Under view of ditto. All the figures are nearly half the natural size. PLATE X. Euphysetes simus. . Side view of female. . Upper view of ditto (drawn to scale). PLATE XI. Euphysetes simus. . Side view of male (to same scale as female, Pl. X.). . Outline of ditto, with skeleton. PLATE XII. Euphysetes simus. . Side view of skull. . Back view of skull (rather more than half the natural size): PLATE XIII. Euphysetes simus. . Upper view of skull. . Under view of ditto (half the natural size). PLATE XIV. . Section of cranium of Euphysetes simus. . Section of cranium of Physeter macrocephalus. . Luphysetes breviceps. QWVOIVD SONIHdDTEC mir ateuueH oN ¥ V wai 4% __ CLRO AY ZOU BIE FulD - yan.“ ~ ig ERROR Son gt AR . From nat on Stone by J Erxleben M.&N Hanhart ime DELPHINUS GADAMU Willis del,eb ith. Wilhe .del,et,lith M#N Hanhart.imp 1 2. DELPHINT + N.Hanhart, Imp: dBrrleben,ith ad nat - M& DELPHINUS (LAGENORHYNCHUS ) FUSIFORMIS. Vf YP I7 J OY (CZ E Lb0C,. VE YOU J.Firxlebenylith ad nat. M &N.Hanhart , Imp* 1.4.DELPHINUS POMEBGRA. .D.KUPHROSINE . M&W Wanhart, amp Willis del et lith PHOCHNA BREVIROSTRIS 4 VMAS 2 Pip fy 9 , WO PEO : vs Va = ca 7-O . se SNWIS Baia sAnd Gear que UTeH'N PW / x in fo SS tk Ny / LD Pr OS VDDOT PLLA YE pl | j Ss 10d, . " M.é NHanhartimm Willis. del. et lith. PHYSETER SIMUS = A vs, 2 at WNannk Yar A pp>UL A § SOMME LMOO SIO 6 Sv/—a S MeN Hanhart Willis del et Jith . PHYSETER SIMUS TY ee ale 7 Lol hoe Weg Ov A C/A 5 feet tlinches . Brain Case 71 inches 17 feet AL inches Scale of french inches. M.&N Hanhart 1mp ROwen del on Stone by J Erxieben 1 PHYSETER SIMUS.2.PHYSETER MACROCEPHALUS 3.PHYSETER III. On the Osteology of the Dodo (Didus ineptus, Linn.). By Professor Owrn, F.RS., F.Z.S., Le. Read January 9th, 1866. [Puates XV. To XXIV.] § 1. Introduction. THE Dodo has long been one of the “curiosities of Natural History,” through the rarity and paucity of the material evidences of the bird. The dried foot in the British Museum, the dried head and foot in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford, the skull, lacking the lower jaw, and somewhat mutilated, in the Gottorf Museum at Copenhagen, were all the parts of the bird known to the authors of the admirable monograph on the Dodo and its kindred at the date of its pub- lication’. Subsequently a portion of the bone of the upper beak has been discovered in the Museum of Natural History at Prague’. Such, until the present date, was the sum of the remains of this large, flightless, extinct bird which were known to have reached Europe. The happy perception, by the Danish Professor J. Reinhardt, in 1843*, of the resemblance of the beak of the Dodo to that of the tropical Doves, generically separated by Cuvier under the name Vinago, on account of their proportionately larger, more strongly arched, and compressed beak than in other Pigeons, and the still closer ° resemblance, in miniature, of the beak of the Samoan Dove to that of the great Mau- ritian bird, which led Titian Peale to give to the former the generic name Didun- culus, directed the ornithologist and ornithotomist to the family in which the most instructive comparisons might be made; and the results of these, so far as relates to to the head and foot and the bones of those parts, published by the authors of the 1 ¢The Dodo and its kindred ; or, the History, Affinities, and Osteology of the Dodo, Solitaire, and other Ex- tinct Birds of the Islands Mauritius, Rodriguez, and Bourbon.’ By H. E. Strickland, M.A., F.G.S8., F.R.G.8., President of the Ashmolean Society, &c., and A. G. Melville, M.D. Edin., M.R.C.S. 4to, London, 1848. 2 See Annals of Nat. Hist. ser. 2. vol. vi. p. 290 (1850). 3 «Bs war in 1843, dass ich auf den Gedanken kam, dass der Dodo eine Sancinall Taubenform sei; ich iiberzeugte mich bald dass diese Auffassung die einzig richtige sei, und fing an eine Arbeit iiber diesen Gegen- stand vorzubereiten. In 1845 wurde ich aber von meiner Regierung beauftragt eine Reise um die Welt mit einem dinischen Kriegsschiff mitzumachen ; meine Arbeit musste also vorliiufig bei Seite gelegt werden. Schon vor meine Abreise hat ich aber mehrere sowohl diinische wie fremde Naturforscher mit meiner Ansicht bekannt gemacht, und der Beweis das es sich so verhiilt wird Owen finden kénnen :— «1, in den Forhandlingar de Scandinaviske Naturforskers Méde, i Kjobenhavn, 1847, p. 948: und «2. in Sundeyall, Arsberiittelse om Framstegen i vertebrerade Djurens Naturalhistoria og Ethnographien, 1845-50, p. 254.”—Letter from Prof. J, Rurnmarpt to Dr. Arperr GUNTHER. VOL. VI.—PART II. # 50 PROFESSOR OWEN ON THE above-cited work, left little doubt of the ‘striking affinity which exists between this extinct bird and the Pigeons”’. Whatever doubt, indeed, may have lingered in the minds of naturalists as to this affinity will probably be finally set at rest by the results of the comparison of the large proportion of the skeleton of the Didus imeptus which has at length been transmitted from the island of Mauritius to London, under the following circum- stances. In 1863, I was favoured by Miss A. Burdett Coutts with an introduction to the Bishop of Mauritius, then in this country, and I endeavoured to interest his lordship in aiding or promoting the acquisition, by the British Museum, of the zoological rarities of Mada- gascar, and especially of any remains of the Dodo which might be discovered in the island of Mauritius, to which his lordship was about to return. How speedily and successfully the Bishop has fulfilled my latter desire will be shown by the following letter, with which I was favoured in November, 1865. “St. James, Port Louis, “ October 7, 1865. “My pear Sir,—when I had the pleasure of conversing with you for a short time in London two years ago, I promised to acquaint you with any facts or discoveries which might come to my knowledge, likely to interest you in connexion with Mada- gascar. I have not anything as yet to communicate definitely respecting that island in the way of natural history, but I have strong reasons to believe that a discovery has been made here recently which will gratify you very much. Mr. George Clark, who has for many years devoted himself to the work of teaching in. this island with great success, is an ardent student of natural history, and has explored many parts of the island in search of information on the subject. From careful observation he was led to conclude that no remains of the Dodo were likely to be found in any of our watercourses, because of their steep descent and the immense rush of water which sweeps down them at times. But he had also frequently expressed his opinion that in certain marshes, with high banks of sand between them and the sea, such remains would probably be found. In one of these places he has found several of the bones of the Dodo (as he believes), and is now forwarding them home for your in- spection *. At his request, I write these lines to ask for your kind care of his interests in securing any reward which may accrue to him. It would be a great pleasure to me to find that his discovery was really important, and likely to be useful to himself; for he has pursued these and similar investigations with an amount of intelligence, skill, and diligence, in his vacation-times (by no means extensive), which deserves much credit and encouragement. * Reinhardt, quoted by Strickland, op. cit. p. 41 (see also p. 70). * This Collection was purchased by the Trustees of the British Museum for the sum of £100. OSTEOLOGY OF THE DODO. 51 “The book which you kindly sent me on the Aye-Aye has been read by many, and especially by medical men, with much interest. I entrusted the other copy to Mr. John Douglas for the Society here. ‘7 remain, my dear Sir, “Your very faithful Servant, (Signed) “Vincent N. Mauritius,” “ Professor Owen.” This letter was accompanied with the following “ Statement ” by Mr. George Clark, Master of the Government School at Mahébourg, Island of Mauritius :— “On the estate called ‘ Plaisance,’ about three miles from Mahébourg, in the island of Mauritius, there is a ravine of no great depth or steepness, which, apparently, once conveyed to the sea the drainings of a considerable extent of circumjacent land, but which has been stopped to seaward, most likely for ages, by an accumulation of sand extending all along the shore. The outlet from this ravine having been thus impeded, a sort of bog has been formed, called ‘La Mare aux Songes,’ in which is a deposit of alluvium, varying in depth, on account of the inequalities of the bottom, which is formed of large masses of basalt, from three to ten or twelve feet. The proprietor of the estate a few weeks ago conceived the idea of employing this alluvium as manure; and shortly after, the men began digging in it; when they had got to a depth of three or four feet they found numerous bones of large tortoises, among which were a carapace and a plastron pretty nearly entire, as also several crania.. “When I heard of this, it immediately struck me that the spot was one of the most likely possible to contain bones of the Dodo, and I gave directions to the men working there to look out for any bones they might find. Nothing, however, was turned up but a fragment of what I supposed to be the humerus of a large bird. This encouraged me to look further; and my search was rewarded by the discovery of several tibiee, more or less perfect, two tarsi, one nearly perfect pelvis, and fragments of three others. ~ These were found imbedded in a black vegetable mould, the lighter-coloured specimens being near the springs.. My reasons for believing these to be remains of the Dodo are:—the certainty that that bird once existed in Mauritius; the similarity of these bones to what the representations of the Dodo which I have seen would lead one to expect, particularly the breadth of the pelvis, the stoutness of the tibiz and tarsi, and the shortness of the latter; the favourable nature of the spot in which they were found for the haunts of such birds when living—a sheltered hollow with two springs in it; the non-existence, actual or traditional, in Mauritius of any bird to which bones such as these could have belonged; the indubitable antiquity of these bones, proved by the deposit of alluvium which covered them. “ During nearly thirty years that I have inhabited this colony, I have made frequent inquiries of old people as to the finding of the bones of large birds, and have offered liberal H 2 52 PROFESSOR OWEN ON THE rewards for such; and I have consulted with the late Dr. Ayres as to the spots most likely to contain them. We agreed that the floods which sweep the hill-sides and the ravines in the rainy season would be most likely to carry any remains into the sea; and this would doubtless have been the case here, but for the stoppage occasioned by the sand-down. (Signed) “GrorGe Cuark. 1865.” The above “Statement” was authenticated by the following testimony :— “Having visited the place with Mr. Clark, I can vouch for the truth of the facts herein mentioned. (Signed) “ WituiaM THomas BaANKs, * Civil Chaplain, Mauritius.” “The Rey. W. T. Banks, Civil Chaplain at Mahébourg, in this diocese, and Mr. George Clark, Master of the Government School at Mahébourg, are well known to me, and deserving implicit credit for their statements as to matters of fact. (Signed) “Vincent N. Mauritius. Oct. 6, 1865.” § 2. Description of the Bones. The bones of the Dodo (Didus ineptus, Linn.) discovered by Mr. Clark, under the above circumstances, which have reached me up to the present date (December 20th, 1865) are the following :— Name. Number of bones or parts. Cranium and lower jaw, in parts ..............eceeeeeees 14 Vertebres'‘and pelyis! The number of the teeth in the different specimens of Znia examined shows a conside- rable range of variation, presuming that they all belong to one species. In the one now described there are ae =104. The larger specimen in the British Museum from Eega has 28-28 109, and also two minute rudimentary teeth in the gum behind the ig 26—27 yi & last in the left maxilla. In the smaller skull from the same place there are = 110. In the skull in the Paris Museum, brought by d’Orbigny, there are, ; =| 3888 : : : according to Gervais, 3;—3,=132; but in the type specimen in the same museum, taken from Lisbon, the number is given by de Blainville as —— 104. In the Berlin skull the teeth are a =131 +. Von Martius in his diagnosis of the species gives S114. aS The bones of the hyoid apparatus scarcely differ from those of the ordinary Dol- phins. Their general form is shown in the figures (Pl. XXVI. figs. 4 & 5) at half their natural size. The basihyal and thyrohyals are not yet united by continuous ossifica- tion. The stylohyals are thick, subcylindrical, slightly curved, and somewhat flattened towards the ends. Antero-posterior diameter of the basihyal .............-.0..04 1-0 MitaSVeETSe CAMEL ese bila sorceress se sielseler smectite 1:3 Length of thyrohyal ............:seeeseeeeeeeeeeeee essen eeseeeees 2-0 Greatest DLEAMGI. 9. .cecece tice ries sete cin sels sirelniselnisleiele = else mieleciels 0:6 Distance between the outer extremities of the thyrohyals... 3-4 Length of stylohyal ...........:essseeeeseeeeenesereeeeeseaeeeeanees raf Greatest thiGkMess) conse sactiest desi scecteaaselsleieclels|s\«\ss/s 0-4 The spinal column (Pl. XXV. figs. 1 & 2) appears complete to the end of the tail, and -onsists of but 41 vertebra, the smallest number known in any Cetaceanf. Of these, * Some Dolphins of the genus Steno of Gray present a similar though far less marked rugosity; and indi- cations of it are seen in young specimens of Orca and I'seudorca. + Peters, in a letter. + As the bones had been separated from each other adncleaned at the time that they came into my hands for VOL. VI.—PART III. P 96 MR. W. H. FLOWER ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF 7 belong to the cervical, 13 to the thoracic, and 21 to the lumbo-caudal region. When the vertebre are placed in order, with their bodies in contact, the whole column mea- sures 38°8", The cervical region, as in Platanista, occupies a larger proportional space than in most other Cetaceans, being 3°53" long, or ;§35 of the whole column. In a common Por- poise, measured for the purpose of comparison, it is but ~3G5. All the vertebre are distinct, as in Platanista, Beluga, and Monodon alone among toothed Whales. The atlas (Pl. X XVII. fig. 1), very large for the size of the animal, greatly resembles that of Platanista, but is higher in proportion to its breadth. Its neural arch is strong, and has on its upper surface a slight longitudinal ridge representing the spine. The base of the arch is not perforated as in many Cetaceans, and the groove for the sub- occipital nerve is but slightly marked, On each side, between the anterior and pos- terior articular surfaces, are two rounded eminences, the rudiments of an upper and lower transverse process. In Platanista there is only a single intermediate process (which Eschricht considers to represent the lower process), but it is developed to a much greater length. In Beluga both processes are present as in Jnia, and upon corresponding parts of the surface of the bone. As in the other Odontoceti having a free atlas, there is a strong process developed from the hinder edge of the lower arch of the bone, which passes under and articulates with the inferior surface of the axis (see Pl. XXV. fig. 2). This is bifid at the extremity, and much more powerfully developed than in the young Platanista which served for comparison. The axis has a massive body, and a high neural arch. ‘There is no distinct odontoid process, but only a general (though strongly marked) prominence of the anterior surface of the body, especially towards its lower margin. On the under surface of this there is a large rounded articular facet for the inferior process of the atlas. This is continuous at the sides with the anterior articular facets, and would indicate a tolerably free motion between the first two bones of the neck. In Platanista this anterior projection of the body of the axis is still more strongly marked, forming a process quite comparable with the “ odontoid” of other Mammalia. In Beluga it is almost wanting. The other pro- cesses of this vertebra differ somewhat in detail from those of Platanista. The spinous process is broad and bifid; the posterior zygapophyses are much less prominent, and their surfaces look more backwards. A proper transverse process can scarcely be said to exist. There are, however, instead of the single, conical, backward-directed process of Plata- nista, slight rudiments of an upper and a lower process, with a groove between them, on the hinder surface of the lateral wings of the bone which support the great articular facets for the atlas. The posterior epiphysis of the body was not ankylosed. description, I must admit the possibility of some of them being lost; but the circumstances under which the skeleton was prepared render this, at the least, extremely improbable. When it arrived in this country the yertebre were all united by their natural ligaments. Unfortunately they were not counted when in this state. INIA GEOFFRENSIS AND PONTOPORIA BLAINVILLIL. 97 The remaining five cervical vertebrae are compressed in the antero-posterior direction, but less so than in most Cetaceans. They do not present the peculiar depression and transverse extension characteristic of the cervical vertebre of Platanista, but their bodies are nearly circular in outline, and the height of the neural canal bears a more considerable proportion to its breadth. ‘The bodies increase but very slightly in thickness from before backwards. The arches are wide and low, their sides meeting above at very obtuse angle, and so narrow in the antero-posterior direction as to leave spaces between them about equal to their own breadth. They increase but very slightly in height from the third to the seventh, and possess but a mere rudiment of a spine, scarcely recognizable in the third, and but -2” in height in the seventh. ‘The anterior and posterior articular facets of the arches are well developed in all, and have their usual relations. The transverse processes are, as usual, two on each side, upper and lower; the upper springs from the arch, the lower from the body of the vertebra. In the third vertebra these two are very near together, and approximate at their ends so as to enclose an oval foramen or canal °2" in its greatest diameter. On the left side this canal is com- pletely surrounded by bone; on the right side it is not quite completely inclosed. In Beluga similar rings are formed by the transverse processes of this vertebra, also in the Platanista described by Eschricht, though in the College specimen there is but a single broad imperforate transverse process. In the fourth vertebra the processes are wider apart, short, and obtuse, and of about equal length; a small elevation rises from the side of the body of the bone, midway between them. In the fifth vertebra they are still wider apart, owing to the upper one, which is short and conical, rising higher on the side of the arch. The lower process is much larger, stouter, rounded at the end, and directed backwards. Although upwards of }" long, it was evidently not fully deve- loped in this immature individual, being tipped with cartilage. The prominence ct this process, contrasting with the almost rudimentary condition of all the others, is a marked characteristic of the cervical region. In Platanista and Beluga, as in most other Mammalia, it is the sixth vertebra which has the most largely developed inferior transverse process, in the former very remarkably so. It is worthy of note, however, that the Dugong (Halicore) agrees with Jnia in this respect, as well as in many other of the characters of the neck-vertebre. In the sixth vertebra, both upper and lower processes are small and conical. In the seventh vertebra the upper process is more developed; the lower one still exists, but in quite a rudimentary state; behind it is a shallow excavation for the head of the first rib. The lamine of the arch of this vertebra are wider than in the others; its spine, as before said, is slightly higher; and the posterior surface of its body is transversely - extended. The thirteen thoracic vertebre measure in length when placed in close contact 12:5", Their bodies increase at first rapidly, then more gradually in length—the first mea- P2 98 MR. W. H. FLOWER ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF suring ‘5", the sixth ‘9", and the last 1:2”. Their arches are surmounted by rather long, erect, and (especially in the hinder part of the region) very broad spines trun- cated at the top. The antero-posterior breadth of these processes presents a constant relation to the length of the body, being always nearly equal with it, and forms rather a remarkable feature in the general aspect of the vertebral column. The height of the spine of the first thoracic vertebra is scarcely inferior to that of the others, which are almost precisely equal. In the sixth, from the inferior edge of the body to the junc- tion of the laminze of the arch measures 1-6"; the spine above this point is 2:2". Distinct articular facets or zygapophyses are developed on both the anterior and pos- terior edges of the arches as far as the ninth vertebra, and on the anterior edge only of the tenth and eleventh. These, as usual, are broad and wide apart at the commencement of the series, and gradually become narrow and approximated as they shift from the sides to the summit of the progressively diminishing neural arch. The so-called oblique processes (metapophyses of Owen) begin to separate them- selves from the transverse processes at the fifth or sixth vertebra, and gradually pass upwards and inwards on the anterior edge of the arch towards the prozygapo- physes, which they supersede on the twelfth vertebra. Owing to the comparatively slight development both of these processes and the zygapophyses, the thoracic vertebre of Inia are not locked together in the manner which distinguishes those of Platanista. It remains only to speak of the processes for the articulation of the ribs, which offer some interesting peculiarities. In all the ordinary Delphinide the anterior ribs are articulated by their tubercle to a well-developed transverse process standing out from the side of the arch, and by a long neck to the hinder edge of the body or root of the arch of the antecedent vertebra. There is usually no indication of any articular surface for the head of its own rib on the front edge of the body of the vertebra. At about the middle of the series the heads suddenly cease to be developed, and the rib is only attached by its tubercle to the end of the transverse process, still arising from the arch, but gradually lengthening and becoming lower in its point of origin, till at the end of the series it springs rather from the body of the vertebra than from the arch, and is in a line with the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebree. This arrangement, departing con- siderably from that found in the ordinary mammal, occurs in Delphinus, Phocena, Orca, Globiocephalus, Beluga, Monodon, and their immediate allies—in fact, in all the Del- phinide which have ossified costal ribs. In the remarkably aberrant Hyperoodon and Physeter a totally different arrangement takes place in the hinder part of the dorsal region, which, however, is equally peculiar among the Mammalia. The upper transverse processes springing from the arch (diapophyses, Owen) suddenly cease, and the rib retains its connexion with the body only: the articular surfaces of the latter push out a process (which, on Owen’s system, would be called a parapophysis), at the end of which the rib - is attached, and which becomes the transverse process, being continuous serially with the transverse processes of the lumber region. In the first case, the transverse process on the INIA GEOFFRENSIS AND PONTOPORIA BLAINVILLII. 99 bady of the last dorsal vertebra is arrived at by a gradual lowering of the transverse process of the arch of the first; in the second it is a new process, first appearing on the body rather abruptly, as the process on the arch ceases, but for the space of two or three verte- bre coexisting with it, as in the cervical region: or, to explain the case in other words, the anterior ribs in both have an upper and a lower connexion with the vertebre ; in the first instance they lose their lower connexion by the non-development of their neck and head, but the gradual lowering of the transverse process brings the headless rib again in connexion with the body, by the intervention of a long straight process; in the second instance they always retain their lower connexion, but the development of a process out of the articular surface of the body, with concurrent shortening of the neck of the rib, and disappearance of the upper process of the vertebra, produces an exactly similar result. In Jnia the mode of attachment of the ribs is, as far as I know, peculiar among Cetaceans, being intermediate between the two distinct forms above described, and far more resembling that which obtains in the Sirenia and the terrestrial mammals. The anterior vertebre have as usual a tolerably well-developed, thick and rounded transverse process, springing from the arch at the junction of the pedicle with the lamina, and pointing upwards and forwards, with a large articular facet at its extremity ; this process gradually becomes shorter, till in the seventh vertebra little more than the articular facet remains on the side of the arch. On each side of the body of the first vertebra are two distinct articular facets, each receiving part of the head of the first and second ribs respectively. The same occurs in the two following vertebrz, though the facets are less distinctly marked, the head of the rib apparently articulating chiefly to the inter- vertebral substance in front of its own vertebra. In the fourth, and more distinctly in the fifth and succeeding vertebrie, there is a strongly-marked articular facet on the anterior edge of the body, while that on the posterior edge has entirely disappeared (a condition, it will be observed, never found in the true Delphinidw). Uereafter each rib is solely articulated to its own vertebra, and its lower attachment becomes moved by degrees from the anterior edge to the middle of the body. As far as the seventh yertebra the rib has a double attachment; but in the eighth the upper and lower arti- cular surfaces (that on the arch and that on the body) have coalesced, though the part that originally belonged to the transverse process and that on the body are distinctly recognizable. This coalescence, however, becomes more complete; and, by the diminu- tion of its upper part, the articular facet, at first elongated vertically, becomes oval in the opposite direction in the eleventh vertebra, and also begins to rise out from the body as a short thick process. This process is somewhat elongated and flattened in the twelfth, and notably so in the thirteenth vertebra ; and at the same time the articular surface be- comes gradually reduced in size, corresponding with that of the head of the rib. We have thus among the toothed Whales a third method by which the transformation from the first thoracic vertebra with its doubly attached rib, to the last with its singly attached 100 MR. W. H. FLOWER ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF rib, is effected, not in this case by the disappearance of either the lower or the upper attachment, but by their gradual coalescence. In Platanista the attachment of the ribs is again different in detail, being something between that found in the true Delphinide and in Inia. Each of the first seven ribs is attached to the transverse process of its own vertebra and to the body chiefly of the preceding vertebra; but the transverse processes differ from those of the Del- phinide in being very short, and in being more rapidly transferred down to the bodies; indeed this takes place as early as the sixth vertebra, and before the disap- pearance of the articular facet for the head of the rib, leading to a blending of the two articulations in one as in Jnia. The remaining vertebre (lumbo-caudal) are twenty-one in number. In accordance with the usual (and most correct custom) of reckoning the caudal region of the Cetacea as commencing with the first vertebra which bears a chevron bone*, there are but three, or at most four, vertebrae, which can properly be called lumbar. ‘The uncertainty rests upon the difficulty of determining, in a skeleton of which the bones are all separated, and in which, owing to its immaturity, the articular surfaces and processes are not very distinctly marked, to which of the vertebre the first (always very small) pair of hema- pophyses was attached. I think, however, that there can be little doubt that the fourth of the vertebree behind the thoracic region did bear such bones, not only from indications on its own surface, but also because the facets on the hinder edge of the under surface of the fifth are too strongly pronounced to be the attachments of the small first pair. Taking, then, the true lumbar vertebre at only three, Jnia presents * As a uniform system of nomenclature in enumerating the vertebrae of Cetacea is very desirable, it is to be regretted that Eschricht and Reinhardt, in their most recent works on Cetology, should have given the weight of their high authority to reckoning as the last of the lumbar vertebra the one immediately preceding the first chevron bone, and which has commonly been regarded as the first caudal. The only reason given for this change is, that “the anus, which may justly be said to mark externally the limits between the abdomen and the tail, is situated directly beneath the first chevron bone” ’. This, however, does not prove the case ; for if we look at the skeleton of any terrestrial mammal in which the distinction between the different regions of the vertebral column is definitely marked, we may see that the commencement of the caudal region is situated some way in front of the position of the anus. We ought rather, according to this criterion, to reckon two or three of the vertebra in the Cetacea commonly called lumbar to the region of the tail,—a view further strengthened by the fact that, in the ordinary mammals, the chevron bones, when present, begin generally not on the first, but on the second or third caudal vertebra. Such a division would, however, be quite impracticable. Each chevron bone belongs essentially to the vertebra in front of it. This is most clearly seen when they are small, as in the commencement of the series. In the skeleton of a Physeter that I lately examined, the first is even ankylosed to the posterior edge of the body of its proper vertebra, and has no connexion with that behind it. Itis quite certain that any vertebra bearing a chevron bone cannot consistently be regarded as one of the lumbar series. We may therefore conveniently reckon the first vertebra which is so distinguished as the com- mencement of the caudal region. 1 Recent Memoirs on the Cetacea, published by the Ray Society, 1866: Eschricht and Reinhardt on the Greenland Whale; p. 105; and Reinhardt on Pseudorca crassidens, p. 204. INIA GEOFFRENSIS AND PONTOPORIA BLAINVILLII. 101 an extraordinary deviation from all other Cetaceans, among which the number, though certainly very variable, is usually considerable, ranging from eight in Platanista and Physeter to twenty-four in some of the Delphini and Lagenorhynchi. On the other hand, in the Sirenia, the lumbar region of the vertebral column is, as in Jnia, extremely restricted. The three lumbar vertebree are very remarkable for the great antero-posterior breadth of their processes, both spinous and transverse. The bodies are large, being respectively 1:3", 1:4”, and 1:5" in length; their extremities are subcircular, and, as usual in the Cetacea, the middle of the side below the origin of the transverse process is much contracted, so that the median line of the under surface forms a sharp ridge, from which a strongly marked arterial groove runs outwards and backwards to the hinder edge of the root of the transverse process. The spinous processes resemble those of the posterior dorsal region; the first two are slightly curved forwards, the last is nearly vertical and somewhat smaller. The oblique processes (metapophyses) are short, flat, rounded projections from the upper part of the lamine of the arch, very closely approximated to each other. The transverse processes rise from the whole length of the side of the body; they are of nearly equal length, but increase in breadth, especially by the development of a considerable angular process on the middle of their anterior border, most conspicuous in the third vertebra; beyond this process the anterior border is sharply cut off, so that the extremity appears to point backwards. The hinder border is nearly straight, with a notch close to its origin from the body, continuous with the groove before spoken of on the inferior surface of the bone. The vertebra here reckoned as the first caudal closely resembles the last lumbar. Its body is of the same length, but its transverse process is even broader. ‘The suc- ceeding tail-vertebre keep up the same general character, having large heavy bodies and broad processes. The projecting surfaces on the hinder edges for the attachment of the chevron bones are very strongly marked as far as the ninth, after which they become obscure; they are not seen on the anterior edge until the fifth. It is difficult to determine exactly how many chevron bones there were, but probably not more than eleven. The spinous processes, broad and rounded at their summits, become gradually lower, until in the tenth the greatly reduced vertebral canal is scarcely closed in by the lamine of the neural arch, and there is no longer a true spine. In the eleventh, the canal is altogether open above. The metapophyses continue in much the same relative development and situation as far backward as the spinous processes extend. The transverse processes gradually diminish in length, and lose their charac- teristic form. Already in the second that cutting away of the anterior edge noticed in the lumbar region is lost; and in the third and succeeding vertebrae the anterior edge is straight, and the hinder one sloping, so that they appear to point forwards. In the eighth they form but a slight prominence on the anterior part of the body, and in the ninth they have altogether disappeared. The vertical perforations for the lateral 102 MR. W. H. FLOWER ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF ascending branches of the caudal artery, so characteristic of a certain region of the tail- vertebrae of the Cetacea, occur first in the fifth vertebra, but only on the left side; in the sixth they are seen on both sides, perforating the body of the bone, not the root of the transverse process. As in all Cetacea, the caudal vertebrae suddenly change their characters at the point where they enter the laterally expanded part of the tail and where the chevron bones cease to be developed. They now lose their cylindrical form, and become broad, de- pressed, and angular. There are seven such vertebre in the present specimen; and the eighth from the end of the series, or the eleventh caudal, reckoning from the be- ginning, is what may be called the transitional vertebra, being intermediate in form and size between its two exceedingly different neighbours. ‘The last two show a rapid diminution in width. The terminal one is triangular in outline when seen from above. Nothing can well be more dissimilar than the lumbo-caudal region of the spinal column in Jnia and Platanista. In the latter the short bodies, the long narrow trans- verse processes, and high spines curving forwards and bearing immense laterally deve- loped oblique processes with (throughout the lumbar region) well-marked anterior and posterior articular surfaces, form most striking distinguishing characters. The chevron bones sent with the skeleton are ten in number. It is probable that the first is wanting, as there is none corresponding with the form this usually has in the Cetacea. I have therefore indicated its situation with a dotted outline in the figure of the vertebral column (Pl. XXV. fig. 2). These bones agree in general characters with the processes of the vertebree with which they are connected, being of moderate length, very broad and rounded at their free extremity. The lateral halves of the last three are not united in the middle line. There are thirteen pairs of ribs (Pl. XXVII. fig. 2), the last being well developed and articulating with the transverse processes of the corresponding vertebre. They are stout and heavy for their length, more so than in the ordinary Dolphins. In their comparatively cylindrical form they present a marked contrast to the broad flat ribs of Platanista. The last two or three are, however, much more compressed than the others. The curve, very strong and angular in the first, gradually diminishes and becomes more regular. ‘The last has a slight turn outwards at the lower end, giving a gentle sigmoid curve to the whole bone. The anterior ribs have long and broad, somewhat compressed capitular processes, with distinct articular surfaces at the extremity and at the tubercle. In the fifth the length of this process is sensibly diminished. In the sixth, seventh, and eighth it shortens rapidly, the two articular surfaces being already confluent in the seventh. In the ninth a rounded projection of the lower border of the vertebral end indicates the rudimentary process; in the tenth it has diSappeared altogether, and henceforward the upper end of the rib ends in a somewhat dilated, oval, convex, articular surface, gradu- INIA GEOFFRENSIS AND PONTOPORIA BLAINVILLII. 103 ally diminishing in size. The mode of attachment of the ribs to the vertebral column has been noticed in the description of the thoracic vertebre. The extreme length of the ribs of the right side in a straight line is as follows :— iret 2 ete cc. 37 ight higy scat om oee 6-9 SECOn Ae meen a dns o7 INN thgent ac ene 6:7 Mathis es econ nee eReme aes 6-9 ently cen tat coun 6:5 Blount Wiese acoso eens 108 Bileventhia-eeeseeesce 6:4 it Nees sete ecs ate track 7:3 Twelfth... sc: csaseesdeest 59 Sixteen scat esees oa 7-2 hinfeenthweesssseesses 5:3 Seventies tcc tisscicesens T1 The costal cartilages, as in Platanista and all the Physeteridz, are not ossified. How ‘ many may have reached the sternum it is, in the present state of the skeleton, impos- sible to determine; but indications of the attachment of only two pairs are to be seen on this bone, which, if confirmed, would be most exceptional among Cetacea, and be another feature of resemblance with the Sirenia. The sternum (PI. X XVII. figs. 3, 4 & 5) is very peculiar in shape, quite unlike that of any other Cetacean with which I am acquainted, and in its shortness, breadth, and the deep notch on the anterior border somewhat recalling that of the Manatee. It differs from this, however, in its greater solidity, especially towards the anterior part, and in possessing two strong triangular processes (4) projecting downwards and outwards from the fore part of the external surface. It consists of a single bone, which is at present but incompletely developed, all the prominences and the whole hinder margin terminating in cartilage. The extreme length of the ossified portion of this singular bone is 4-2; its greatest breadth, near the middle, is 3”. Its general form is irregularly oval. In the anterior border is a notch 1! in depth, with smooth, rounded edges. On each side of this are two thick conical processes (a), projecting directly forwards, 7" apart at their ends. As these have dried cartilage both on their tips and imner surfaces, it is possible that in the adult animal their ossification might extend so far as to convert the notch into a foramen. On each. side of the hinder half of the notch the bone becomes very thick, running out on the external or inferior surface into the triangular process before no- ticed (6), and backwards and upwards into a thick irregular edge (c), apparently for the attachment of the cartilage of the first rib. The hinder half of the bone is flat, and gradually becomes thinner towards its rounded and incomplete posterior edge, which is divided into two lobes by a narrow cleft, situated slightly to the right of the median line. About the middle of the left lateral margin is a small transverse notch, re- presented on the right side by an oblique perforation, apparently for the passage of a blood-vessel. Immediately behind this the margin is thickened and excavated for the attachment of the cartilage of the second pair of ribs (d). There are no other indica- VOL. V1.—PART III. Q 104 MR. W. H. FLOWER ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF tions of such attachments, though it is possible that the cartilaginous hinder margin may have been connected with another pair. In Platanista, according to Eschricht, four pairs of ribs are attached directly by their cartilages to the sternum, and the form of this bone has nothing in common with that of Inia. The manubrium is flat and triangular, very broad in front, with a straight anterior edge, and without either of the processes so prominent in Jnia. This is succeeded by a distinct body, ossified from two lateral centres, and a xiphoid process wholly cartilaginous in the young specimen described. Many of the true Dolphins have two conspicuous pairs of processes on the manubrium sterni, evidently for the attach- ment of muscles—one projecting forwards and outwards, in front of and within the sur- face for the attachment of the first pair of sternal ribs, the other rising from the lateral border between the surfaces for the articulation of the first and second sternal ribs, and directed somewhat backwards. These are especially developed in Monodon. It is to these that the processes of the sternum of Inia appear to correspond, though much modified in direction. The sternum of Phocena entirely wants these processes ; otherwise it presents some resemblance to that of Jia in its breadth, flatness, and in consisting of a single piece. The pectoral limbs of Jnia are described by d’Orbigny as “larges, longues, et obtuses ;” and the present skeleton fully corroborates this account. The scapula (Plate XXYV. fig. 3) does not present that*singularly aberrant character which is one of the most peculiar features of the skeleton of Platanista, but conforms more to the ordinary type of the Dolphin-family. Its superior costa is long, and with a tolerably regular arch; the anterior and posterior coste (of which the former is slightly the longer) are much hollowed out, so that the lower half of the bone is narrower from side to side than in most Dolphins. Both the acromion process and coracoid are very long, flat, and expanding and truncated at their extremities. The glenoid fossa is large. The principal dimensions are :— Extreme height, from glenoid fossa to middle of superior . “GOH, Oona goose soeosabanodehooeuocs~snocacnuee beadss0eu00") Donen 37 Extreme: breadth (ics sists... cw Ae eaten oemlaeaet aanieeee ieee 48 Breadth of body at root of acromion process ............-...+5 1-2 Length .ofiacrenuion. su... ....ite Beet seen enemas. at 17 Length of coracoid: process: .2:.2<-thcesacesscessbecton> concn 1:3 Length of plenord? fossa. 1252522225, seek ameenboeeitaey s+ aba wees: 1:2 Breadth ‘of glenoid fossa: wap: . Lostic dh, eee aeabh ewes See ksess 0-9 T'lie humerus is unusually long in proportion to the other segments of the limb, and very simple in its character. The tuberosity is very small; but it is probably not com- pletely ossified. The neck is but slightly marked. The distal end of the bone is INIA GEOFFRENSIS AND PONTOPORIA BLAINVILLII. 105 flattened, and not much expanded in width. The inner surface is quite smooth and slightly concave longitudinally. The outer surface is rougher, and has a rather deep pit a little way below the neck. The radius and ulna are considerably shorter than the humerus, contrary to what obtains in most Cetacea. They are very simple, broad and flat bones, but have a con- siderable space between them, owing to the concavity of the contiguous borders of the ulna and radius. ‘The ulna presents the great peculiarity of possessing no rudiment of an olecranon process. Weng thy ofshumends\ci-5-tjmesn cece cess eee eeereeeeeeee ee 372 Whidthratenard Glee. cweed cae. s at een eee Renee nat Wadithtstlowenend). setae cause det oowele std ies Smead ness 16 Mena thyoh TAadius dnwcasik scsalsecthowieiroa thor sions amnidangeceesee 2°5 aWridthaatimiddl en 23th sae antes are ead eatise eee yoann 1:2 Wadithtatwllower em diet set co.ce aucun casceratoeda nee. 1:4 Mensthyofulnaiedsts spackqustageee seston madayseqetesnadagetk 1:9 \Vool ce hemaibts Glew samen searmahatcear Renato cn obmosodberc. 1:0 Wirdtheattl ower end) ) vcccaeanssacaee sac scekcetehe reat eaeed 1:6 The carpal region is large, and composed in the present specimen in great measure of cartilage. There are five principal ossifications. Intending to discuss fully the homologies of the carpal bones of the Cetacea with those of the terrestrial mammals in my Osteography of the genus Physeter, I will only say here that these appear to represent :—1 the scapho-trapezium, 2 the lunar, 3 the cuneiform, 4 the unciform, and 5 the magno-trapezoid. ‘They have probably been somewhat disturbed from their natural position by unequal shrinking of the surrounding cartilage in drying. In addition to these five, an oval bone (6) projects from the ulnar border of the carpus, which must represent the pisiform bone, although considerably displaced from its normal situation. The bone which appears to belong to the second row of the carpus near the radial border, and which might well be taken for a trapezium, is probably the first metacarpal, as already determined in other Cetaceans by Cuvier, Gegen- baur, and Van Bambeke. The digital portion of the hand consists of five fingers of moderate length, and spreading somewhat from each other. The second digit is the longest, the third nearly approaches it, the fourth and fifth are much shorter. It is possible that the terminal pha- langes of the digits are not present in every case, especially as they do not always ossify before the animal has attained a considerable age; but the following are the numbers of the phalanges present, exclusive of the metacarpals:—I. 1, II. 5, III. 4, RVai2 eV e. The individual phalanges are thus not numerous; but they are long in proportion to their breadth. From the humerus downwards the pectoral limb of Jnia presents considerable re- semblance to that of Platanista, both agreeing in the great length of the humerus as Q 2 106 MR. W. H. FLOWER ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF compared with the forearm, and in the absence of the olecranon process. In the carpus, to judge by Eschricht’s figure, some differences of detail may be found. They agree in the comparative length and slenderness of the phalanges and spread of the fingers; but Platanista differs from Jnia and all the other Dolphins in the nearly equal development of the four outer digits, giving the remarkable truncated form to the termination of the extremity. The pelvic bones have unfortunately not been preserved with the skeleton. They are also unknown in Platanista. II. On the Skull of Pontoporia blainvillii. In the Museum at the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, is the skull of a small Dolphin brought by M. de Fréminville, an officer m the French navy, from the neighbourhood of Monte Video, at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata. This was first described by Professor P. Gervais, in the ‘ Bullet. de la Soc. Philomathique de Paris,’ 1844, (27 Avril) p- 38, as Delphinus Blainvillei; also in ‘l'Institut,’ of the same year. In the part of the ‘Zoology of the Voyage of the Erebus and Terror’ devoted to the Cetacea, published in 1846, Dr. Gray gave a figure and brief description of this skull, and constituted the genus Pontoporia for the reception of the animal to which it belonged. Professor Gervais, in the description of the “ Mammiféres” of d’Orbigny’s ‘ Voyage en Amérique Méridionale,’ published in 1847, but the introduction to which bears the date of December 1846, redescribed and figured the skull (plate 23), pointing out that its peculiarities were sufficient to entitle it to rank as a subgenus, for which the name of Stenodelphis was proposed. In the same plate a figure is given of a long- beaked Dolphin, observed by d’Orbigny off the coast of Patagonia, but of which no portion was brought home; and a conjecture is thrown out that this Dolphin belonged to the same species as the skull presented to the Museum by M. de Fréminvyille. Although this is a mere assumption, and not a very well founded one, as even the colour does not correspond with the brief description given by M. de Fréminville*, it has unfortunately been treated as a certainty in most systematic works}, and thus Pon- toporia, the skull of which shows such near affinities with those of the river-Dolphins Inia and Platanista, and which from its only known habitat may be wholly or partially fluviatile, and of which the external form is entirely unknown, is now regularly installed in zoological literature as an oceanic Dolphin with a high falcate dorsal fin! A few weeks ago, and after the whole of the foregoing description of the skeleton of * «)'aprés un renseignement favori par M. de Fréminville, le Dauphin dont provient ce crane, est long de quatre pieds, et il est blanc, avec une bande dorsale noire.” + See Gervais, Hist. Nat. des Mammiféres (1855), vol. ii. p. 322; Gray, Cat. Seals and Whales, Brit. Mus. (1866) p. 231. INIA GEOFFRENSIS AND PONTOPORIA BLAINVILLII. 107 Inia was written, a second skull of Pontoporia, also from the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, was received at the British Museum, as a present from Dr. Hermann Burmeister, of Buenos Ayres. With his wonted liberality, Dr. Gray immediately informed me of its arrival, and has permitted me to add to the description of the skull of Jnia a com- parison with this nearly allied form. The skull (Pl. XXVIII.) is that of a perfectly adult animal. ‘he sutures are par- tially obliterated, and the bones are compact and heavy. Many of the teeth are broken, some having been lost during life and the alveoli filled up; the remainder are considerably worn at the points. The rostrum is curved downwards towards the extremity, much more so than in the Paris specimen; this is probably the effect of age, as a similar change takes place in Jnia and some other Dolphins. The mandible partakes also of this curve. The small, rounded and depressed cranium, and very long, narrow and compressed beak, give a remarkable appearance to this skull, reminding one, as Gervais remarks, of the head of a scolopacine bird. The principal dimensions are :— pe Rente len POD i isaajote casa naa nepethe aeeuls > us Than Lo he Wo PE £6, J Smit hth, Ra INIA GEOFFRENSIS.+ a CF J, Smit ith . M&N Hanhart, mp INIA GEOFFRENSIS.z Der Gel hb PLL M&N Hanhart tmp J. Smit lith . PONTOPORIA - BLAINVILLII. = fr alia | V. On a Raptorial Bird transmitted by Mr. Axversson from Damara Land. By J. H. Guryey, £.Z.8. Read November 14th, 1865. [Puate XXIX.] T HE raptorial bird now exhibited has been recently sent to me, with some other birds collected in Damara Land, by my friend Mr. Charles J. Andersson, to whose exertions we have already been frequently indebted for valuable contributions to our knowledge of the ornithology of that part of South-western Africa. Mr. Andersson remarks, with reference to the present specimen, which was procured at Objimbinque, Damara Land, on the 10th of March last, “I have only obtained this individual, a female, shot by my servant, who observed another, which was probably the male. I imagine I have once or twice observed this species near my place (Objim binque) just before dusk. I strongly suspect that it is a nocturnal or seminocturnal bird. I found only a Bat in the stomach of the specimen sent, of which the description and measurements are as follows :— “Trides bright lemon-yellow; extremities of mandibles black ; basal parts and gape bluish lead-colour; tarsi and toes bluish white; claws bluish black. “Entire length 1 ft. 632; im.; length of wings when folded 1 ft. 1}3 in.; length of tarsus 243;in.; length of middle toe 2;in.; length of tail 735,in.; length of bill from corner of gape to the tip of the mandible, straight, 15% in.” To the above remarks of Mr. Andersson I have to add the following :-—The colours of the plumage are dark brown mingled with pure white, the tint of the brown being very similar to that of a dark specimen of Buteo vulgaris; a very few feathers of a still darker tinge, however, are apparent on the occiput and back. With the exception of a line of white above and below the eye, the feathers on the upper part of the head are brown: this colouring extends slightly below the gape, and also over the whole of the upper surface of the bird, including the wings and tail; but the basal parts of the feathers on the upper part of the head, the nape, and back are white, though this is not apparent except when a feather is displaced; but this white becomes somewhat more visible where it is mingled with the brown, in the form of bars and spots, on all the feathers of the wings, both above and below, and including the upper and under wing- coverts, as also on the upper and under tail-coverts; the upper surface of the tail bears five transverse bars of a pale brown, which on the lower surface of the tail-feathers are white, and the tail is also very slightly tipped with dirty white. The throat is white, but is bisected for the upper three-fourths of its length by a brown medial line, starting 118 MR. J. H. GURNEY ON A RAPTORIAL BIRD. from the angle of the lower mandible, and extending for about 3 inches in a straight line towards the stemum. ‘The feathers of the breast and sides are of a mingled brown and white, the latter predominating in the vicinity of the throat. The abdomen and inner sides of the thighs are white, the outer sides of the thighs are brown, the plumage of the thighs also extending over about one-fifth of the upper portion of the tarsus. The occipital feathers are lanceolate and slightly darker (some of them being also a little longer) than the feathers of the adjacent plumage, thus presenting an appearance similar to that which is frequently to be observed in adult specimens of Pernis cristatus. Of the primary feathers the third is the longest, the second next, then the fourth, the fifth, and the first successively ; the points of the primaries, when closed, reach to within three-quarters of an inch of the tip of the tail. The tail, which consists of twelve feathers, is very slightly forked, the centre feathers being the shortest, and the pair next to the outside pair the longest. The bill is singularly small for the size of the bird; but the gape ‘s very large, extending backwards till it reaches a point directly below the centre of the eye. Be tween the eye and the upper mandible a row of small bristles takes its rise, pointing towards and extending over the upper edge of the mandible as far as the nostrils, which are uncovered and of a narrow oval form. As in the case of the American Vultures, there appears to be no septum between the nostrils. The ridge of the upper mandible is remarkably keel-shaped, and there is a very noticeable depression intervening between it and the cutting-edge of the mandible, which latter is entirely destitute of anything in the nature of a tooth, a notch, or a festoon. The tarsi and toes are slender in their character, and the scales with which they are covered are (with the exception of those covering the last jomt of each toe) remarkably small. The middle toe, which is considerably elongated, has a prominent roughened pad below each end of the last joint; the inner toe is similarly provided, but with the hinder pad thrown further back; the outer toe has two of these appendages situated as those on the middle toe, and two others placed further back; the hinder toe has one large pad only, seated immediately behind the root of the claw. The inner edge of the middle claw projects laterally, and appears to me to present a rudimentary pectination resembling that which is found in the Owls, a tribe to which the present species seems also to offer some resemblance in the form of its bill and the extent of its gape. P.S. I had intended proposing the name of Stringonyx anderssoni for this singular form, supposing it to be undescribed; but, as has been pointed out by Mr. Bartlett since my paper was read*, it is no doubt identical with the Machwrhamphus alcinus of Westerman, the type of which is in the Museum at Leyden. The present specimen has been added to the collection in the Norwich Museum. * Proc, Zool. Soc. 1866, p. 324, + Westerm. Bijd. t. d. Dierk. i. p. 29. M&\N Hanhart amp J.Wolf del eb ith MACHEIRHAMPHUS ALGINUS a pecaiie| 74] VI. On some Fossil Birds from the Zebbug Cave, Malta. By W. K. Parker, F.RS., F.Z.8., &e. Read and received for publication Dec. 12th, 1865. [PuaTe XXX. | Five years have elapsed since I first examined numerous bony remains from the Zebbug Cave, the “lamellirostral” nature of which was apparent to Dr. Falconer and myself from the first. I transmitted a list of them to that lamented paleontologist for his and Captain Spratt’s inspection, the latter gentleman having taken an active part in exhuming these treasures. A fresh examination of them has not changed my views as to their nature; and I can now refer to figures of the most important, drawn side by side with their counterparts in the common Swan (Cygnus olor). The specimen of this species, the bones of which I have used for comparison, was a fine old female, 5 feet long from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail, not so large as the male, but a large bird notwith- standing. As half or more of the fossil bones evidently belonged to a Swan about one- third larger than my specimen of the tame kind, it must have been a noble creature, and its extinction is to be deplored as much as that of the Dinornis and the Dodo. Many of the bones belonged to a smaller kind than even the common mute species : it was about the size of a male Bewick’s Swan, or the female of the Common Hooper (C. musicus); some, however, belonged to a bird as large as the male Hooper. There were also some bones of much smaller dimensions; these appear to have belonged to a small Bernicle, such as the Bernicla brenta. On June the 10th, 1861 (the next summer), I received, through Professor Rupert Jones, another parcel of these bones; and last autumn Mr. Busk put into my hands the hinder part of the skull of the largest kind, which, with a few thigh-bones of the same species, he had received from Dr. Leith Adams, of Malta. Altogether there are in my hands about three pounds’ weight of fragments, amounting to several dozen in number. About one-fifth of these are indeterminable, on account of their worn and comminuted condition. The only bones quite perfect are phalanges ; and, with the exception of the lower part of a tibia of the largest kind, which is 64 inches long, the pieces are from 1 to 4 inches in length. Mr. Erxleben suggests that they are the remains of feasts held by foxes—a very good suggestion, as far as I can see. The specimens of bones belonging to the largest kind of Swan, which I propose to call Cygnus falconeri, in honour of the great paleontologist whose loss we have so lately suffered, are as follows :-— VOL. VI.—PART III. 8 120 Skull (posterior fragment) Ribs (upper part) Ulna (middle). Femur (various parts) Tibia (various parts) . Tarso-metatarse (various parts) Phalanges (perfect) . MR. PARKER ON SOME FOSSIL BIRDS 2 specimens. Of the smaller kind of Swan (Cygnus musicus?) there are— Cervical vertebra (2nd or 3rd) Sternum (anterior part) Scapula (proximal part) Humeri (various parts) . Ulna (various parts) . Radius (various parts) Metacarpus (various parts) sas Phalanx (proximal, perfect) . . . . 4 Phalanx (distal, perfect) Sacrum (various) . Femur (shaft-part) Tibia (various) er Tarso-metatarse (various ae dc Phalanges (perfect) . -Of the small Goose-bones (Bernicla Coracoid (head) . Radius (distal and middle partidual Ulna (middle) : eit ma Metacarpus (almost neha Femur (nearly perfect) . Tibia (lower end) P) there are— 3 ” 1 specimen. . 12 specimens. . 720 53 20, 3 ” 2 ” 1 specimen. 7 specimens. 18 ” ° 7 » ors ,, 5 ” 1 specimen. 2 specimens. 3 ” A ass 3 ” 4 ” 5 ” 1 specimen. 2 specimens. 1 specimen. 1 ” 1 RS Lag ieee Some of these bones are of a beautiful ferruginous dark brown; others are of a light colour, like the clay in which they were imbedded. Cygnus falconeri, Parker. Skull. Dr. Leith Adams's specimen of this part of the great Swan came to hand too late to ba figured; I was able to make out that it belonged to a Swan nearly one-third larger tahn Cygnus olor, and to see the occipital plane, foramen, and condyle, as well as part of the parietal and temporal regions. With this specimen of the skull there were two or three fine “ ossa femoris,” which corroborated the conclusion I came to as to the skull be- FROM THE ZEBBUG CAVE, MALTA. 121 longing to C. falconeri; for the thigh-bones were the exact counterpart of those which had come earlier under my notice. I annex a Table of measurements of the bones of C. falconeri, as compared with those of the large female C. olor :— Middle thoraci sib— eee ae a. Acrosstheneck . ... O Dad ee meee rt) b. Width of outeredge. . . 0O ON hale aa 4 Ulna— Diameter of shaft. . . . . O Olt ais hoee RO 7 Radius— Diameter of shaft... ...;.... 0 Sic eseaasoe AO 4 Femur— Across head and trochanter . 1 1 1 5 Width of middle of shaft . . 0 54 0 8 Width across lower condyles . 1 0 1 oy Tibia— Fore-and-aft width of head 1 5 1 9 Thickness of head 0 + 1 2 Width of shaft . 0 + 0 8 Width across lower condyles 0 11 1 4% Tarso-metatarse— Extreme length 4 3 5 3 Width across head 1 0 1 24 Width across shaft 0 5 0 6 Width across condyles 1 0 1 4 Phalanx (proximal, middle)— demathe, | come 78s. apt DST EES 2 Da) Sek i: (Gs Thickness of proximalend. . 0 Baty Soro eo 74 Thickness of shaft . . .. 0 Bo wel ot, 4h Mr. Erxleben’s figures show very faithfully the perfect agreement, in everything but size, between the great extinct Swan and Cynus olor. The largest bones of C. falconeri are not, however, displayed in the Plate, for this reason, that the most perfect bones for figuring were apparently those of females; but there are bones still larger in the col- lection, most likely those of male birds. s2 122 MR. PARKER ON SOME FOSSIL BIRDS The coarseness of these bones is well shown when the diploé is displayed (see Pl. XXX. figs. 10, 11 & 12), and the walls of the tibial diaphyses are a line and a half (one-eighth of an inch) thick in the stoutest specimens. The Ribs.—The coarseness of the bones, and their great size as compared with those of the tame species, are well seen in the three fragments of ribs; they are, altogether, one-fourth larger than their counterparts in the living Swans. The Ulna (Pl. XXX. figs. 4 & 5).—The diameter of the ulna, as seen in fig 5, is as 7 to 5 compared with fig. 5a; and the strength of the shaft is well shown in fig.4. The oblong quill-knobs, confluent by means of an elevated ridge, are well shown to be precisely alike in the extinct and the tame species. The Femur (Pl. XXX. figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11).—These figures of the left femur, although not of the most massive specimens, give a good idea of the stoutness of this lost bird: its head, trochanter, shaft, and lower condyles are seen to be most exactly like those of the tame kind, save and except such intensification of the ridges and general surface- marking as is due to the origin and insertion of the muscles of a much mightier bird. Tibia (Pl. XXX. figs. 12, 13, 14 & 15).—This, again, is evidently the bone of a fe- male, as there are considerably larger specimens, although not so perfect, in the collec-. tion. Fig. 12 shows the strength of the shaft; fig. 13 is an anterior view of the distal end of the right tibia, showing the broad tendon-bridge and groove, the space for attachment of the fibula, and two depressions in the space for the precalcaneal knob, which are but faint in the tame kind. Fig. 14 shows the extent of the lower condyle as seen laterally - on the inside, and fig. 15 its division into an inner and outer lobe. Tarso-metatarse (Pl. XXX. figs. 16, 17, 18 & 19)—The length of this right shank is seen to be greater in proportion to its thickness than in the tame Swan; but their general agreement is most accurate. The low precalcaneal knob, the. postcalcaneal ridges, grooves, and bridge, and the form and relative proportions of the lower bifid condyles are well seen. There is, however, a passage, shown in the head of the shank of the tame Swan (fig. 19), which does not ap- pear in fig. 19: this mistaken foramen escaped me when examining the proof-plates ; it was made by me in the tame Swan’s bone for the purpose of syringing out the marrow. The bony bridge uniting the outer and middle condyles (figs. 16, 17, 18) is seen to correspond beautifully in the two birds; the perfection of the figures exonerates me from detailed description. Phalanges (Pl. XXX. figs. 20, 21 & 22)—There are only three phalanges which I can safely refer to the largest Swan; but they are very remarkable, being quite unlike what we see in the species of Swans still living; for fig. 20, as compared with fig. 20a, is seen to be full one-third thicker, and but little more than two-thirds the length. This is the case with the proximal phalanx of the great or middle toe; and the other two are quite similar in shortness and robustness. If this shortness of the toes be remembered, along with the fact that the shank is FROM THE ZEBBUG CAVE, MALTA. 123 longer in proportion than in the recent kinds, we shall see that the great extinct Swan was rather generalized in character, being somewhat of a Goose, possessing, as he did, longer legs and shorter toes than the typical Swans. It would appear, however, that, like the gigantic Adjutant among the Storks, this bird had its wings of the full relative size: the immense ulna shows this (see Pl. XXX. figs. 1, 4 & 5). As the feet were shorter, it is probable that the extinct bird was not so expert at rowing as the smaller but more elegant kinds; on land he may have shown better; and perhaps he was altogether more terrestrial. It is worthy of remark, that the most generalized type of all the “ Lamellirostres,” viz. the Palamedea—that in which the lamelle of the beak are arrested in their growth, and which has no webs to connect the toes—has the digits longer even than the Swans. This bird, however, is not unrelated to the Grallatorial “ Macrodactyli.” Cygnus musicus (?). The most important bone of those belonging to the smaller Swan, which, as the fore- going list shows, are very numerous, is the front part of the sternum. This fine frag- ment is well shown in Pl. XXX. figs. 1, 2, 3; and, besides exhibiting the separated coracoid grooves, anterior part of keel, costal process, condyles for sternal ribs, ridge for middle pectoral, &c., is especially interesting because of the well-displayed anterior part of the cavity for the wind-pipe. Fig. 3 shows the smooth, rounded cavity; fig. 2 part of its left wall; and fig. 1 the eminence caused by it on the midline of the sternum: the two rows of wind-passages are also well seen. This, then, is the sternum of one of the Wild Swans, perhaps the greater species (C. musicus), perhaps C. bewickii, or, it may be, some species nearly allied to these. At any rate it is interesting to find that C. musicus is still to be found in lands bordering the Mediterranean, the Rev. H. B. Tristram having, in his last travels, received it from Solomon’s Pool, near Jerusalem (see Proc. Zool. Soc., 1864, p. 453). The similarity of the bones in the species of Swans is so great that I feel it to be unnecessary to describe the rest of the bones of the smaller kind; they are nearly all fragmentary, like those of C. falconeri, and the fragments are in the same good condition. The birds which owned these bones varied in size from that of a small female tame Swan to that of a medium-sized Black Swan; yet the difference is scarcely more than varietal and sexual. There may have been more than two species buried in the Zebbug Cave; but we lack positive evidence. The smallest “lamellirostral” bones are intermediate in size between those of the Wild Goose ( Anser cinereus) and those of the Mallard (Anas boschas) ; so that they may have belonged to a small female Bernicle, such as the black-faced kind (Bernicla brenta). But, few as these are, they probably belonged to two kinds; for the femur and tibia 124 MR. PARKER ON SOME FOSSIL BIRDS FROM THE ZEBBUG CAVE, MALTA. are relatively larger than the coracoid and metacarpus: these latter bones are not larger than those of a good-sized tame Duck (A. boschas). DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXX. (N.B.—The figures are all of the natural size.) Fig. 1, Anterior fragment of sternum of Cygnus musicus (2); upper view. Fig. 2. Anterior fragment of sternum of C. musicus(?); side view. Fig. 3. Anterior fragment of sternum of C. musicus(?); front view. Fig. 4. Ulna of C. falconeri; end view of fragment. Fig. 5. Ulna of C. falconeri; side view of fragment. Fig. 5a. Ulna of C. olor; side view of fragment. Fig. 6. Femur (left) of C. falconeri; front view. Fig. 7. Femur (left) of C. falconeri; lower view. Fig. 8. Femur (left) of C. falconeri; hinder view. 9. Femur (left) of C. falconeri; upper view. Figs. 6a-9a. Femur (left) of C. olor. Figs. 10, 11. Femur of C. falconeri; fragments. Fig. 12. Tibia (right) of C. falconeri; end view of fragment. Fig. 13. Tibia (right) of C. falconeri; front view of distal end. Fig. 14. Tibia (right) of C. falconeri; side view of distal end. Fig. 15. Tibia (right) of C. falconeri; end view of distal end. Fig. 13a. Tibia (right) of C. olor; front view of distal end. Fig. 16. Tarso-metatarse (right) of C. falconeri; hinder view. Fig. 16a. Tarso-metatarse (right) of C. olor; hinder view. Fig. 17. Tarso-metatarse (right) of C. falconeri; lower view. Fig. 17a. Tarso-metatarse (right) of C. olor; lower view. Fig. 18. Tarso-metatarse (right) of C. falconeri; front view. Fig. 18a. Tarso-metatarse (right) of C. olor; front view. Fig. 19. Tarso-metatarse (right) of C. falconeri; upper view. Fig. 19a. Tarso-metatarse (right) of C. olor; upper view*. Fig. 20. Phalanx (proximal, of middle toe) of C. falconeri; upper view. Fig. 20a. Phalanx (proximal, of middle toe) of C. olor; upper view. Fig. 21. Phalanx of C. falconeri; side view. Fig. 21a. Phalanx of C. olor; side view. Figs. 22, 23. Phalanx of C. falconeri; end views. Figs. 22a, 23a. Phalanx of C. olor; end views. * The circular hole in this view is of artificial origin. Mi &N. Habart, Imp* ~ .Wrxleben ,del et lith . ene, OLOR: 23 4a 4._ 23 .G -FALCGONERI, P. 1.3 CYGNUS MUSICUS ? 125.74 VII. Synopsis of the species of recent Crocodilians or Emydosaurians, chiefly founded on the specimens in the British Museum and the Royal College of Surgeons. By Dy. Joun Epwarp Gray, F.R.S., V.P.ZS., ELS, &e. Read December 9th, 1862. [PLates XXXI. to XXXIV.] THE distinction of the species of Crocodiles has hitherto been one of the difficult problems in systematic zoology; and therefore I believe that it may be of some slight use to lay before the Society the result of my examination of the very large collection of Crocodiles, of all ages and from various localities, which are contained in the British Museum. Knowing the difficulty that surrounds the subject, I have made great exertions to obtain specimens from different countries; and the examination of these specimens has shown that the characters of the species, when allowance is made for the changes that take place in the growth of the animal, are quite as permanent as in any other group of Reptiles, and not more difficult to define. An outline of the synopsis of the Crocodilide or Alligatoride was published in the ‘Annals and Magazine of Natural History’ for 1861 (3rd series, vol. viii.). Since that period J have examined the additional specimens which have been received in the British Museum, and also those in other collections, especially the skulls in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, the specimens in the two museums at Liverpool, and in other local collections within my reach. Among the specimens recently received by the British Museum are some typical skulls from the Dutch possessions in the East, obtained from Leyden, which enable me to determine with certainty the species described by the Dutch zoologists. The determination of the species of the Crocodilians has always been attended with considerable uncertainty ; and if we may judge by the manner in which the specimens and the skulls of them are named in Museums, or sent about by the more scientific dealers, it would appear that as yet they are not properly understood. I do not mean as to the precise limit of a species—that is to say, whether the specimens from different districts of the same zoological or geographical province are mere local varieties of the same species, or are distinct; for that is a question which I admit must, with the materials at our command, for the present remain unsolved and open to discus- sion. But it is not unusual to find most distinct species confused under the same name, and specimens of the same species, only different in age, separated under two or more names. _ In this paper I have endeavoured to condense into a short synopsis the principal leading characters, especially those furnished by the examination of the skull and the VOL. VI.—PART IY. T 126 DR. J. E. GRAY’S SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES nuchal and dorsal plates, by which the different species of Crocodiles and Alligators may be most easily determined. My object in this paper is to furnish the zoologist with the best character to distin- guish the different species of Crocodile and Alligator, without any pretence of giving an account of the comparative anatomy or osteology of the species. I make this state- ment, as confusion arises in the student’s mind between the object of the studies of the two branches of the science, both equally important; but the one ought to be based on the examination and comparison of the largest possible number of specimens and species, while the most important papers on comparative anatomy are often those that - arise from the examination of a single example of the animal. I am well aware that there is a prejudice against such short papers, and that they incur the reproach of certain continental and native naturalists ; but after considering their objection and their practice, I am still of the opinion that papers of the kind are far more useful to the working naturalist than the long descriptions of species. which it is the custom of these naturalists to prepare, when their descriptions, instead of merely presenting the peculiar character of the species under consideration, give in full detail under each species (so as to hide in a bushel of words the characters which you are looking for) the character of the genus, or even often of the family or order to which the species belongs. Macleay well observes, “The modern art of describing is too long, often insufferably long, while human life remains as short as ever” (Illust. Zool. 8. Africa, p. 54). I know by experience that synoptical papers take far more mental and bodily labour to prepare than the description of asingle specimen, often taken at haphazard and regarded as the type of a species because it presents some striking peculiarities of appearance. This paper, short as it is, is the result of the examination and repeated reexamination, at different periods, of more than two hundred specimens of Crocodiles,—a series of the most characteristic specimens of each species having been laid out so that they could be viewed and studied together and at leisure, and their peculiarities and likenesses noted down. If all the notes made during these comparisons were printed, as is the custom with many naturalists, they would fill many pages, and thus make a long paper. Many papers and books are estimated by their size, rather than by the extent of labour that has been bestowed upon them; while the results of much labour and careful study, condensed into a few pages, are often spoken of by critics, who never undertook such researches, or who dislike the labour of condensing their observations into systematic order, as merely the short notes of a hasty examination: at least that is the way in which some papers, which were the results of equally extensive examinations, have been regarded by naturalists who should have known better. I may further observe that, even after so much study, when new specimens have been accumulated and with additional experience, one frequently finds peculiarities overlooked OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 127 and facts requiring verification, when the old and the newly acquired specimens are submitted to a reexamination and study. It is this experience that makes me inclined to place less reliance than other naturalists upon essays prepared by persons who come and look at a series of specimens for the first time, and describe them offhand. Yet such works are often regarded as of authority, very often on account of their length, or the beautiful manner in which they are printed or illustrated. The references to the catalogue of the osteological specimens in the College of “Surgeons are based on the examination of the specimens in that collection; and I have to thank the Council of the College for their permission to examine them, and Mr. Flower, the energetic Curator of the collection, for his kindness and assistance in determining them. If any evidence were required of the difficulties of determining the species of this family, I need only refer to the nomenclature of the skull in the catalogue above referred to, which was prepared by the late Curator of the collection, Professor Owen. In this collection, for example, I found what I consider to be three distinct species in one case, and two distinct species in another, confounded under the same name; and on the other hand, I found what I regard as skulls of the same species inserted under three different names. The skull of a Crocodile which is found in the internal rivers ‘of India, is named Crocodilus rhombifer, Cuvier (which isan American species), though the specimen in the College Museum was received from Bengal. I do not by any means regard my determination of these skulls as infallible; but I have taken every care to make it correct by repeated examination. I first arranged the skulls as they appeared to be alike, according to the characters here assigned to them, without paying any attention to the names given, placing them in order according as the size showed the change in the growth; and Mr, Flower, Mr. Gerrard, and some other zoologists who are used to the examination of bones, agree with me in my determination, and were much interested in observing how gradually the skulls of different ages glided into each other’. I must observe, if there is this difference of opinion in the determination of skulls of recent Crocodiles, where the series of skulls for different-aged animals can be compared, and where the skulls are in a perfect state, how much more difficult it must be to have confidence in the determination of the skull of the fossil, or some fossil species where the skulls are generally more or less imperfect, and perhaps only single specimens (often very imperfect specimens) have been examined! ! The following is the result of my examinations of the specimens of Crocodiles in the Museum of the College of Surgeons (the numbers refer to the numbers in the catalogue) :— ; 682-707. Gavialis gangeticus= Gavialis, 710. Crocodilus cataphractus=Mecistops cataphractus, the type specimen. 711, 712, 714, 716. Crocodilus acutus=Molinia americana, from America. 128 DR. J. E. GRAY’S SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES The chief difficulty in distinguishing the species has originated from the very great change of forms that takes place in the shape and proportions of the head of the animal in its different stages of growth; but the changes seem nearly similar in all the species, and therefore when once observed they can be easily allowed for. The difference may be divided into three stages, exemplified in the young, the nearly full-grown, and the adult or aged specimens. The head and beak of the young are generally depressed, with more or less distinctly marked symmetrical ridge and depressions; and these characters are gradually modified until the animal assumes its nearly full size,—the skull becoming thicker and more solid, but yet retaining most of the characters that distinguish its young state. After this period, as the animal increases in age, the skull becomes more and more convex and swollen and heavy, and assumes a very different external form. It is to be observed that in all these changes in the external form of the skull, the bones themselves of which it is composed preserve their general form and relation to each other ; and the sutures between these bones appear to me to offer some of the best characters to separate the species into groups. In many instances, when I have been in doubt, the sight of the intermaxillary suture has at once solved the difficulty, which has been verified by the examination of the locality of the specimen. These changes in the form of the head have been among the causes that have made the study of the species of Crocodiles so difficult. If this is the case with the recent species, how much more caution is requisite to determine the fossil remains of the animal! Cuvier set a very good example in that respect: he commenced the study of each group of animals with an examination of the osteology and external characters of the living species, and then applied the knowledge he thus acquired, to the distinction of the fossil remains; but now we often find paleontologists, as they call themselves, neglecting, or, at most, only taking the outline of the osteological and zoological characters of the living species at second hand, and describing the fossil, and often forming genera and species ona small fragment, thus encumbering the science with a multitude of names. At one time I proposed to give accurate measurements of the different parts of the 713. Crocodilus acutus=Oopholis porosus of India. 715. Crocodilus acutus= Crocodilus vulgaris of Africa. 717. Crocodilus vulyaris, much distorted. 718. Crocodilus vulgaris=Bombifrons, perhaps B. siamensis. 719-724, 727, 728. Crocodilus biporcatus= Oopholis porosus. 725. Crocodilus biporcatus= Crocodilus vulgaris. 726. Crocodilus biporcatus=Bombifrons indicus. 750, 751. Crocodilus rhombifer, from Bengal= Bombifrons indicus. 752. Crocodilus palustris ?=Bombifrons indicus. 760-762. Alligator lucius= Alligator mississippiensis. 764, Alligator niger=Jacure nigra. 1 Dr. J. E. Gray ‘On the Change of Form of the Heads of Crocodiles,” Transactions of the Sections in ‘ Report of the British Association of Science,’ Cambridge, 1862, p. 109. OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 129 skull of each of the specimens of the different species in the British Museum Collection ; but I am satisfied that the importance of such tables of measurement is over-estimated : no doubt it has a very imposing appearance; but a good figure is more useful than any amount of measurement. Every species has its normal measurements; but these are liable to vary in the different individuals; and any difference sufficient to show a distinction of species is easily appreciated by the eye, as it must alter the general proportions of the different parts of the head. It has been suggested that I ought to give the description of each separate bone of which the skullis composed. This may be of use to the student of comparative anatomy, but is not of so much importance to the zoologist; for though each bone has a normal form in each species of Crocodile, yet they are each liable to considerable variation within certain limits in the different individuals of the species. The bones of the different genera have been described in several works on osteology, and they are well figured by De Blainville and others. De Blainville, in his ‘ Ostéographie,’ devotes five folio plates to the osteology and dentition of recent Crocodiles, giving details of Crocodilus biporcatus, C. lucius, C. vulgaris, C. schlegelii, C. longirostris, C. rhombifer, and C. sclerops. These plates were prepared to accompany an essay that M. de Blainville was preparing for the * Mémoires de l’Académie des Sciences de France’ when he died. Professor Carl Bernhard Briihl, of the Universities of Cracow and Pesth, has published twenty quarto etchings of the skeletons of Crocodiles and Alligators, giving details of three or four species. The plates are exceedingly accurate, and full of details, being drawn and etched by the Professor and his wife direct from the specimens. They were published at Vienna in 1862. There is a continuation of the work, containing three additional plates, published in 1865, principally devoted to the canals of the ear-bone. I must here refer to a paper by Professor Huxley, entitled “‘On the Dermal Armour of of Jacare and Caiman, with notes on the Specific and Generic Characters of recent Croco- dilia,” Journ. Proc. Linn. Soc. Zool. iv. p.1. As this paper contains an excellent account of the osteological differences between the different genera of Crocodilia, 1 have not considered it desirable to repeat them here, more especially as they were chiefly drawn up from specimens in the British Museum. Order EMYDOSAURI (Emydosaurians). Emydosauri, Blainyille, Gray, Ann. Phil.x.195, 1825; Cat. Tortoises & Crocodiles Brit. Mus. 38,1844. Crocodilia, Huxley, Journ. Proc. Linn. Soe. Zool. iv. p. 1. The Emydosaurians or Crocodilians may be divided into three families :— A. The cervical and dorsal plates forming one dorsal shield. I. Gaviatip#. The large front teeth and the canines in the lower jaw fit, into notches in the margin of the upper jaw. 130 DR. J. E. GRAYS SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES B. The cervical shield forms a small group, which is separate from the dorsal shield. II. Crocoprtips. The canines fit into notches in the upper jaw, and the large front teeth fit into pits or perforations in the front of the upper jaw. III. Axuicatorip. The large front teeth and the canines fit into pits or perforations in the edge of the upper jaw. ; The large front teeth of the Garials fit into a notch in the front of the upper jaw, and the canines into a notch also. In the Crocodiles the canines fit into a notch, as in the Garials, but the large front teeth fit into a pit or perforation in the front of the upper jaw; and in the Alligators both the canines and the large front teeth fit into pits or perforations in the edge of the upper jaw. The geographical distribution of the genera may be thus exhibited :— AFRICA. AsIA AND AUSTRALASIA, AMERICA. Fam. Gavialide. Gavialis. Tomistoma. Fam. Crocodilide. Crocodilus. Oopholis. Bombifrons. Palinia. Halcrosia. Molinia. Mecistops. Fam. Alligatoride. Alligator. Caiman. Jacare. In Africa there are three species of Crocodiles. They seem all to have been known to Adanson. They are, 1. The common Crocodile (called the Olive Crocodile by Adanson), Crocodilus vulgaris, which is spread over the whole of Africa, from north to south and from east to west; 2. The Black Crocodile of Adanson (Halcrosia nigra) ; and, 3. The False Gavial of Adanson, the Mecistops cataphractus. The two latter are confined to the rivers on the west coast of Africa. In India! there are also three species of Crocodiles:—1. The Oopholis porosus (or Crocodilus biporcatus of Cuvier), which is found only in the estuaries at the mouths of the large rivers; 2. The Muggar’ (Bombifrons indicus); and 3. The Garial (or Ghurrial), ‘ See Dr. J. E. Gray “ On the Crocodiles of India and Africa,” Transactions of the Sections in ‘ Report of the British Association of Science,’ Cambridge, 1862, p. 107. * Dr. Falconer says, the proper name of the Crocodile is Coombeer. The Rapacious Shark is called the Muggar ; and by reflection this name is also sometimes given to the Crocodile, because it is a rapacious animal. OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 131 which is confined to the rivers in the interior of the country. The Coombeer or Muggar ascends the rivers to the mountains, where the water is often frozen. ‘The Ghurrial, on the contrary, is confined to the lower level, where the climate is warm. In stating that there are three species of Crocodiles in India, I only intend to state there are three distinct forms; for I will not undertake to say for certain that the Muggar of Ceylon, of Siam, and of India are not distinct species: Mr. Blyth observes, ‘‘ Both the Gangetic species of Crocodiles have been received by the Asiatic Society, Calcutta, from Java. The Crocodiles are known to abound in Timor, from which island they may well have passed to Australia. Governor Grey met with them in the north-west.’—Blyth, Rep. Austral. Vert. in Mus. A.S. C. If by “ both the Gangetic species of Crocodile” Mr. Blyth means the estuarine Croco- dile (Oopholis porosus) and the Coombeer or Muggar (Bombifrons indicus), no example of the latter animals from either Java, Timor, or Australia has occurred to me, and the animal figured as Crocodilus raninus vy Dr. Salomon Muller is certainly Oopholis porosus ; and there is in the British Museum a fine adult skull of that species sent by the Leyden Museum from Java. The observations of MM. Duméril and Bibron (Erp. Gén. 25, 47), that Crocodiles are not, found in Australia, and that the American Crocodiles are confined to the islands of that continent, are no longer consistent with facts; indeed, long before the publication of their work, various travellers had recorded the occurrence of Crocodiles on the north coast of Australia. The estuarine Oopholis porosus was observed by Governor Grey on the north-west coast of Australia. There is in the British Museum a skull of the species.sent thence, and also a full-grown specimen which was killed and preserved in that country. The Island of Borneo is inhabited by a false Garial, named Tomistoma schlegelii. I am not aware that it has been found in any of the other islands of the archipelago. It is intermediate in character between the true Garial and the Crocodiles. The Crocodiles and Alligators are widely distributed in America. There are four American Crocodiles, and nine Alligators. One of the Crocodiles, Palinia rhombifer, is peculiar to the island of Cuba. The other species of Crocodiles and the Alligators are found on the mainland. The Alligator mississippensis is found far north, where the waters are often frozen; all the other Alligators and American Crocodiles are confined to the tropical and subtropical parts of the continent. Molinia americana is found in Cuba and St. Domingo, as well as in the rivers of the east and west side of the conti- nent, showing the incorrectness of the assertion of MM. Duméril and Bibron that the Crocodiles of America are confined to the islands of that continent (Erp. Gén. 25, 47)'. «' In the ‘ Gentleman’s Magazine’ for August 1866 appears an article, entitled ‘« Notes on a Young Crocodile found in a Farmyard at Over Norton, Oxfordshire,” by George R. Wright, F.S.A, Mr. Wright observed the specimen in a case of birds and animals, preserved by Mr. William Phillips, who said that it was found lying dead in a gutter in his farmyard, evidently but lately killed; its bowels protruded from a wound in the belly. 132 DR. J. E. GRAY’S SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES Family I. GAVIALIDZ. The cervical and dorsal plates formed into a single continuous shield. Teeth nearly of uniform size, all fitting into notches on the edge of the upper jaw. The front large teeth fitting into a notch in the front, the canines into a notch on the sides of the front of the upper jaw. ‘The jaws elongate, slender. Crocodilide (part.), Gray, Ann. Philos. x. 195, 1825. Crocodilide § *, Gray, Cat. Tortoises & Crocod. B.M. 36. Gavialide, Huxley, Journ. Proc. Linn, Soe. Zool. iv. p. 16, 1859. Synopsis of Genera. GaviALis. Beak elongate, linear, end swollen. The lateral teeth oblique, not received into pits. Tomistoma. Beak conical, thick at the back, the lateral teeth erect, received into pits between the teeth. 1. GAVIALIS. 27-27 2828 25—25 OT 26-96" The mandibular symphysis extends to the twenty-third or twenty-fourth tooth. Most of the lateral teeth of both jaws are directed obliquely, and not received into inter- dental pits. The front margin of the orbit is much raised. Beak of skull linear, end dilated from the enlarged nostrils. ‘Teeth Gavial, Oppel. Le gavial, Cuvier. Gavialis, Merrem, Gray, Aun. Phil. x. 195, 1825; Cat. Tortoises, &c., B. M. 36, 57, 1844. Geoff. Mém. Mus. xii. Huxley, Proc. Linn. Soe. Zool. iv. p. 20, 1859. Gavialia, Fleming, Phil. Zool. Ramphostoma, Wagler, Syst. Amph. 441. Rhamphognathus, Vogt, Zool. Brief. 11. 289. 1. Gaviauis Ganeeticus. (The Garial or Nakoo.) Narrow-beaked Crocodile, Kdw. Phil. Trans. xlix. 639, t. 19. Le gavial, Lacép. Q. O. 1235, t. 15. Faugas, Mont. S. P. 235, t. 8. f. 46, 47. Lacerta gangetica, Gmelin, 8. N.i. 1057. Shaw, Zool. i. 197, t. 60. The men said it ran out of the stack of wood, they killed it, but they could easily get him another ; he offered a guinea for another specimen, dead or alive; but the reward was never claimed. An account of the discovery appeared in the ‘ Field Newspaper’ for 1861 or 1862; and another, with a figure of the specimen, was published in Hardwicke’s ‘ Science Gossip,’ Jan. 1, 1867, p. 7, figs. 1 & 2. Dr. Vesalius Pettigrew and Mr. Frank Buckland thonght it was a very young Crocodile that had escaped from some travelling show, I should suspect that it was much more likely to be a just-hatched specimen that had been preserved in spirit and thrown away. The wound in the belly was probably the umbilicus. The figure shows too long and slender a beak fcr a young specimen of any Crocodile I have seen. OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 133 Crocodilus longirostris, Schneid. Amph. 160. Daudin, Rept. 4293. Blainv. Ostéog. Crocod. t. 2. f. 4, t. 3. f. 6, t. 4. f. C, t. 5. f. 5. Crocodilus arctirostris, Daud. Rept. ii. 393. Crocodilus tenuirostris, Cuvier, Ann. Mus. x.t.1. Tiedem. Amph. t.15. Wagler, Syst. t.7.f.111. Merrem, Tent. 38. Gavialis gangeticus, Geoff. Mém. Mus. xii. Gray, Syn. Rept. 86; Cat. Tortoises &c. B. M. 57. Dum. & Bib. Erp. Gén. iii. 135, t. 26. f. 2. Huxley, Journ. Proc. Linn. Soc. Zool. iv. p- 20, 1859. Briihl, Skelet. Krokod. t. 8, 9, 10, 11, & 17. Crocodilus gangeticus, Tied. Oppel, & Libosch., Naturg. Amph. 81, t. 14. Geoff. Mém. Mus. H. N. ie HS Gavialis longirostris, Merrem, Amph. 37. Gavialis tenuirostris, Merrem, Amph. 38. Guérin, Icon. R. Anim. t. 2. f. 3. Ramphostoma tenuirostre, Wagler, Nat. Syst. Amph. 141, t. 8. f. 3. Le gavial, Lacép. H. N. Q. Ovyip. i. 235, t. 15. Gavial, Owen, Monogr. Fossil Reptilia of the London Clay, t. 11. 1849 (skeleton). Hab. Indian rivers. Bengal, Nepal, Malabar. 2. ToMISTOMAs Beak of the head conical, thick at the base. ‘Teeth = The mandibular sym- physis extends to the fifteenth tooth; the hinder tooth of the upper jaw, and most of those of the lower jaw received into interdental pits. Premaxillary hardly expanded, orbital margins not raised. Gavialis, sp., Miller ; Owen. Tomistoma, S. Miller, Wiegm. Arch. 1846, i. 122. Rhynchosuchus, Huxley, Journ. Proc. Linn. Soe. Zool. iv. p. 16, 1859. The upper edge of the intermaxillary bone extends back as far as the second canine tooth; and in this character it differs from the skull of the slender-nose Crocodiles, as Croc. gravesti and Mecistops cataphractus. Dr. Falconer, when describing the skull of Crocodilus cataphractus, in Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. 1866, xviii. 362, observes, “Crocodilus schlegelii constitutes the passage from the true Crocodiles into the Gavials,” and he shows how the skull agrees with the Crocodiles’ in the position of the nasal bones. Professor Owen, in the first ‘ Essay on the fossil reptiles of the London Clay,’ Crocodiles, p- 15, observes, “The Bornean species, Crocodilus schlegelii, was in fact originally de- scribed as a new species of Gavial; but the nasal bones, as in the fossil from Sheppey (figured in t. 2. f. 5), extend to the hinder border of the external nostrils.” This does not agree with our skull, nor with the figures of the skull in Blainville’s ‘ Ostéographie.’ See also Huxley, Journ. Proc. Linn. Soc. Zool. iv. p. 18. VOL. VI.—PART IV. U 134 DR. J. E. GRAY’S SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES 1. ToMISTOMA SCHLEGELI. (Bornean Gavial.) Crocodilus gavialis schlegelii, Miller, Naturgesch. Ost. Ind. t. 123. f. 1-5. Crocodilus schlegelii, Blainv. Ostéog. Crocod. t. 2. f.3; t.5.f.4. Briihl, Skelet. Krok. t. 8. f. 6. Owen, Fossils of the London Clay, p. 15. Rhynchosuchus schlegelii, Huxley, Proc. Linn. Soe. iv. (1859) p. 17; Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1859. Mecistops journei, Gray, Cat. Tortoises &c. B. M. 38, not synonyma. Hab. Australasia, Borneo (Miiller, Brit. Mus.). The two figures of the skull in Miiller and Schlegel, t. 3. f. 1 and 2, show the difference that occurs in the form of the skull of the same species. In the British Museum there is a young specimen in spirits, and an adult skull received from the Leyden Collection, and a very fine adult skull from Borneo, obtained from Mr. Mitten. Family Il. CROCODILID. The cervical plates forming a distinct shield, separate from the doysal shield. Teeth strong, very unequal in size, hinder larger. The 9th upper and the 11th lower teeth larger, like canines, the large teeth of the lower fitting into pits or perforations, and the canines fitting into notches on the edge of the upper jaws. Nose of both sexes simple. The upperside of the intermaxillary is slightly expanded behind, and its hinder end is divided, and separated into two parts by the front end of the nasal bone. Crocodilide §**, Gray, Cat. Tortoises &c. B. M. 36, 1844. Crocodilide, Huxley, Proc. Linn. Soc. Zool. iv. 5. Crocodilus, Cuvier ; Gray, Ann. Phil. 1825, x. 195. Champse, Merrem, Tent. Professor Huxley divides this family into two genera, Crocodilus and Mecistops. See Journ. Proc. Linn. Soc. Zool. iv. 6. The Crocodiles when they are first hatched have a very short beak to the head. ‘This is even the case with the long-beaked Mecistops cataphractus, which in its very young state is hardly to be distinguished in the form of its beak from the young of the com- mon Crocodile, Crocodilus vulgaris. As the young obtain strength the beak developes itself more or less rapidly according to the species, until its normal character is attained. The head seems to continue of nearly the same form, merely increasing in size, for some time, perhaps years ; for we know little of the duration of the life of the Crocodiles ; and they are probably long-lived animals. As they reach maturity, and as old age creeps on, the skull thickens considerably, and the jaws dilate and thicken on the sides. The growth of the teeth, which are produced in succession, and greatly enlarge in diameter, and the enlargement of the jaws proceed pari passu: the latter is also influenced by the development of these teeth and the larger alveoli required to support them. OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 155 The head of the Crocodile first increases in length compared with its width, and then, having arrived at a certain form, increases in width, thickness, and solidity. The same change takes place in the head and skull of the Bornean Garial, Tomé- stoma schlegelii, as is found in Miiller and Schlegel’s figures of the half-grown and adult skulls in their work. It is to be observed that each of the Crocodiles of India and Africa (and it may also be the case with those of America) seems to present two varieties—one with a broad and the other with a narrower face; this variation occurring in each species appears to me to show that it is more probably a local, or perhaps even sexual variation than a specific distinction. If it were a sexual distinction, it might be soon settled by observers in the country where they abound; but the sex of the skin and the skull sent to Europe is rarely, if ever, marked on the specimens. The broad-nosed variety is much more abundant in the Museum than the narrow-nosed one; and this is against the form of the face being a sexual distinction, as one would suppose that they would be nearly equal in number, unless the narrow-nosed specimens are the males and they are more wary and not so frequently caught. Some naturalists might be inclined to regard them as distinct species; but in the Museum series, large as it is, we have not sufficient materials to decide the question with any confidence. Perhaps, if the skulls of specimens from each locality could be compared, other characters might be found; but this must be left for my successors in this field of research. In the short-nosed species the upperside of the intermaxillary bones is short, and the nasal bones are produced between their edges to the edge of the nostril; and in the genus Halcrosia they are produced beyond it, and form a bony septum between the nostrils. In the long and slender-nosed species the intermaxillary bones are rather produced behind and the nasal bone does not reach the edge as does the long nostril in the genus Mecistops ; they are considerably short of them; but still the nasal bones come between the hinder ends of the intermaxillaries, and this character at once separates the skull of that genus from the two genera of Garials which have short nasal bones. The skulls of Crocodiles may be separated thus :— 1. Nasal bone produced, and separating the nostril into two parts. Halcrosva. 2. Nasal bone produced, and dividing the edges of the nostril. Oopholis, Crocodilus, Molinia (americana), Bombifrons, Palinia. 3. Nasal bone not reaching the nostril. Molinia (intermedia), Mecistops. The intermaxillary bone in Bombifrons and Palinia is short and truncated behind. In Halcrosia it is rather produced behind, the straight ‘sides converging to a point. In all the other genera it is produced behind, with the hinder edges converging on the sides and truncated at the end. Ue a) 136 DR. J. E. GRAY’S SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES The palatal bone in all the genera is truncated or rounded in front, except in Mecistops, where it is narrow, short, and acute in front. The skulls of the genera Bombifrons, Oopholis, and Molinia are easily distinguished in the young state,—the face of Oopholis being much longer and narrower than that of Bombifrons, and that of Molinia is longer and narrower than that of Oopholis. The measurements following are for three skulls which appear to be from animals nearly of the state of growth, same in inches and lines :— Bombifrons. Oopholis. Molinia. in. lines. in. _ lines, in, _ lines. Length of the skull, entire ...........-.- .4 8 5 8 6 Length of face to front of orbit.............. 2 8 3 6 4 4 Length of forehead to front of orbit.......... 2 0 2 1 2 4 Length Ge palate from condyle to front end of } Th 3 4 3 10 IE IY Age MGtomcdato sobaco otdrred Length of middle suture of maxilla .......... 1 2 1 13 1 Uf Length of middle suture of intermaxilla ...... 0 9 1 3 1 6 Widthyat woceipit ie eis: wichy- acess cise’ = cisteleiteiny= 2 6 2 5 2 103 Width at hinder contraction of beak.......... 1 6 1 4 if 43 Wadthvatmoteht ¢/-crtassreis ett cdey-retetartarcrecateys 0 9 0 9 0 9 The dorsal scales present considerable variations in different specimens from the same locality ; but, allowing for such variations, the genera :uay be arranged thus :— 1. The dorsal scales nearly uniformly keeled, in four or six longitudinal series; the outer series ovate-elongate. Oopholis. . 2. The dorsal scales nearly uniformly keeled, quadrilateral, as broad as-long. Croco- dilus, Palinia, Molinia, and Mecistops. 3. The dorsal scales quadrilateral, as broad as long; the vertebral series scarcely keeled, the lateral series irregular and keeled. Halcrosia and Molinia. The eyelid of the genus Halcrosia is thickened with hard bony plates, as in some of the Alligators, with which it also agrees in the external form of the head and the disposition of the nuchal shield. In all the other genera it is thin and mem- branaceous. Synopsis of Genera. I. Cervical disk rhombic, separated from the dorsal shield. Normal Crocodiles. A. Nuchal scutella none. Dorsal plates ovate-elongate, in four or sia longitudinal series. Estuarine Crocodiles. 1. Oopuouis. Asia and North Australia. B. Nuchal plates four, in a transverse series. Dorsal plates as broad as long, square. ¥Fluviatile Crocodiles. OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. LS a. Intermasillary bone truncated behind, with a nearly straight hinder edge. Face broad, oblong. 2. Bompirrons. Toes webbed. Legs distinctly fringed. Asia. 3. Pauinta. Toes short, free. Legs with only an indistinct fringe- America. b. Intermavillary bone elongate, produced, and truncated behind ; sutures sloping backwards and converging, then transverse or sinuous. Toes webbed. Legs fringed. 4. Crocopitus. Face oblong, without any ridge from front of orbit, forehead flat. Africa. 5. Mortnta. Face elongate, forehead convex, smooth, without any ridge from orbits. America. IL. Cervical disk strongly keeled on each side, and nearly continuous with the dorsal shield. Aberrant Crocodiles. * Face broad, nasal bone produced into the nostrils. Alligatoroid Crocodiles. 6. Haucrosia. Africa. ** Face very long, slender, nasal bones not reaching the nostrils. Gayialoid Crocodiles. 7. Mecistops. Africa. 1. The nape with a rhombic disk formed of six plates, which is well separated from.the dorsal shield. Normal Crocodiles. A. Nuchal scutella none. Dorsal scales in four or six longitudinal series; the outer series ovate-elongate. Toes webbed. Legs fringed. The intermaxillary bone produced, truncated, and converging on the sides. Estuarine or brackish-water Crocodiles. 2 1. OoPuHoLis. Face oblong; orbits with an elongated, longitudinal, more or less sinuous ridge in front. Nuchal scutella none, or rudimentary. Cervical disk rhombic, of six plates. Dorsal plates uniformly keeled, in four or six longitudinal series; the vertebral series with straight internal edges, the outer ovate-elongate. Legs acutely fringed. Toes broadly webbed. Intermaxillary bone produced, and truncated behind, the sutures sloping backwards and converging, and then transverse or sinuous. Oopholis, Gray, Cat. Tortoises & Crocodiles in B. M. 1844; Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd series, x. 267. 138 DR. J. E..GRAY’S SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECTES a. The dorsal scales in six longitudinal series; the vertebral ones elongated like. the others. 1. OopHouis rorosus. (The Saltwater Crocodile.) Crocodilus porosus, Schn, Amph. 159. Gray,Cat. Tort. & Croc, &c. Brit. Mus. 58; ‘P. Z. 8. 1861, 140. Crocodilus oopholis, Schnu. Amph. ii. 165. , Crocodilus biporcatus, Cuvier, Oss. Foss. v. 65, t. 1. f. 4, 18, 19 (young skulls) ; t. 2. f.8. Miiller and Schlegel, Verh. t. 3. f. 6 (middle-aged skull). Owen, Cat. Osteol. Mus. Col. Surg. 159, nos. 719, 723, 724, 727, 728. Huxley, Journ. Proc. Linn. Soc. Zool. iv.11. Blamy. Ostéogr. Crocod. t. 1, t. 3. f.1,t.4.f. , t. 52. Crocodilus acutus, Owen, Cat. Osteol. Mus. Col. Surg. 157, no. 718. Champse fissipes, Wagler, Amph. t. 17. Crocodilus biporcatus raninus, Miller and Schlegel, Verh. t. 3. f. 7 (aged skull) ! Oopholis porosus, Gray, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd series, x. 267, 1862. Hab. Asia and Australia; India, Bengal, and Penang (Hardwicke) ; China (Lindsay) ; Trincomalee ; Borneo (belcher); Tenasserim coast (Packman); Siam, Cambogia (Mouhot). Var. australis, Giinther. Crocodile, Landsborough, Explor. of Australia, i. 70. Hab. North Australia (Elsey & Kraig). Dr. Giinther has pointed out to me that all the Australian specimens which we have examined have one cross band of the shield less than the Indian specimens; that is to say, they have sixteen, and the Indian specimens seventeen bands of shields from the neck to the base of the tail. That is the case both in the small specimen in spirits and the large specimen, 17} feet long, which was procured by Mr. Kraig. In the British Museum there is the skin of an adult from N.E. Australia, another, 13 feet long, received from the Zoological Society, and several (two-thirds half-grown) young specimens, stuffed, and several young specimens in spirits. The largest skull in the British Museum is 29 inches long; the adult skulls vary from 29 to 31 inches in length; a half-grown species is 19 inches long. The skull 26 inches long, is said to be from an animal caught in Bengal that was 33 feet long. Cuvier figures the skulls cf young and half-grown specimens. %. Miiller and Schlegel figure two skulls, one under the name of C. biporcatus (f. 6), and the other C. bipor- catus raninus (f. 7): the latter seems to be from an adult or aged animal; the former (f. 6) fiom a full-grown one before the skull is thickened and spread out. Another specimen, figured as C. diporcatus raninus (f. 8), appears to be from a specimen of Crocodilus or Bombifrons siamensis. It certainly is not an Oopholis, from the form of the dorsal scales and the presence of the nuchal ones. There is a good series of skulls of this species in the Museum of the College of Surgeons; but No. 725, named C. biporcatus in the Catalogue, is the skull of an adult Crocodilus vulgaris; and No. 713, called Crocodilus acutus in the Catalogue, is Oopholis porosus. OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 139 The British Museum received from the Leyden Museum an adult skull of the Crocodilus (biporcatus) raninus from Borneo; it is 22 inches long, and agrees in every respect with the Oopholis porosus from India. Mr. Landsborough observes, “harmless as this animal is in Australia, we were not anxious for his company in his native element.’—Exploration of Australia, p- 70. b. The dorsal scales in four series; the vertebral series broader than long, the outer series elongate-ovate. 2. OOPHOLIS PONDICHERIANUS. (Pondicherry Crocodile.) Oopholis pondicherianus, Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. 38rd series, x. 268. Crocodilus pondicerianus, Giinther, Rept. B. I. t. 7. The specimen of this species in the British Museum is small, and only just hatched, but it is quite distinct from all the others. The vertebral series of plates are nearly twice as broad as those in 0. porosus; the others are also rather wider in comparison ; all the dorsal scales are more keeled, and the keels on the scales on the side of the base of the tail are higher, and more prominent. The black spots are larger and further apart. The specimen was purchased of M. Parzudaki of Paris, it having formed part of a collection which he received from the French Museum. B. Nuchal plates four, or rarely two or five, in a cross series. The dorsal plates as broad as long, in four or six series. Fluviatile or River Crocodiles. a. The intermaaillary bones truncated behind, with a nearly straight premaxillary suture. Face broad, oblong. To observe the form of the premaxillary suture in the preserved specimens, it is only necessary to elevate the skin of the front of the palate, and lay the bones bare. * Toes webbed. Legs distinctly fringed. Asiatic Crocodiles. 2. BoMBIFRONS. The premaxillary suture straight, or rather convex forwards. The face oblong; forehead with nodules in front of the orbits, but no distinct preorbital ridges. Nuchal plates four, in a curved line. Cervical plates six, in the form of a rhombic shield, distinct from the dorsal one. Dorsal plates oblong, rather elongate, all keeled, in six longitudinal series, and with two short lateral series of keeled scales, ‘The legs fringed with a series of triangular elongated scales. Toes webbed. Bombifrons, Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. 3 series, x. 269. Skull with the nostril separate, the internal nostril as broad as wide, with a deep pit on each side in front of it, and rather bent down, so as to open nearly horizontally. 140 DR. J. E. GRAY’S SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES 1. Bomprrrons inpicus. (The Muggar.) (Plate XXXL, figs. 1, 2, 3.) The intermaxillary short, nearly semicircular. Crocodilus vulgaris, var. indicus, Gray, Syn. Rept. 58, 1831! Crocodilus dubius, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xii. 122? Crocodilus suchus, var. D., Dum. Enc. Méth. Rept. 27. Crocodilus palustris, Lesson, Bélanger, Voy. 305. Gray, Cat. Tort. & Croc. B. M. 62 (young). Owen, Cat. Osteol. Mus. Coll. Surg. 164 & 752! Giinther, Rept. B. Ind. t. 8. f. a. Crocodilus bombifrons, Gray, Cat. Tortoises & Crocodiles &e. B. M. 59, 1844 (adult) ! Crocodilus bombifrons (palustris ?), Huxley, Proc. Linn. Soc. Zool. iv. 13! 1859. Crocodilus biporcatus, Cautley, Asiat. Research. xix. t. 3. f. 1. p. 3! (not Cuvier). Crocodilus trigonops, Gray, Cat. Tort. & Croc. B. M. 62, 1844 (young) ! Bombifrons trigonops, Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. 3rd series, x. 269! Crocodilus vulgaris, var. B. Dumér. & Bibron, Erp. Gén. iv. 108. Crocodilus rhombifer, Owen, Cat. Osteol. Mus. Coll. Surg. 164, n. 752! (not Cuvier). Crocodilus ? Owen, Cat. Osteol. Mus. Col. Surg. 159, n. 726! Hab. India: Ganges (Dr. Sayer); Madras (Jerdon); Ceylon (Kelaart). The dorsal shields in four series, all equally keeled, with two irregular series of plates on the sides. ‘The shields are often nearly of the same form and size; but sometimes there are larger and broader shields intermixed in and deranging the series, and at other times the whole vertebral series is formed of wider shields. This species has generally been confounded with Oopholis biporcatus and Crocodilus vulgaris. The face of the younger specimen is rugulose and depressed, with a deep pit on the sides over the eighth and ninth teeth; there are two arched ridges on each side behind the nostril, and some rugosities in front of the orbits. In the older skull the face is very convex and rounded, rugose, with some more or less distinct rugosities in front of the orbits, but not the distinct longitudinal ridge so characteristic of Oopholis porosus. Professor Owen described the peculiar form of the premaxillary in a skull in the College of Surgeons Museum, sent from Bengal by Dr. Wallich; but he refers the skull to Crododilus rhombifer of Cuvier, which is an American species. The smallest specimen in the British Museum is 19 inches, and the largest nearly 10 feet long; there are skulls showing that it grows to a much larger size. The specimen I described as C. trigonalis is 243 inches long. In my Catalogue of the Tortoises and Crocodiles in the British Museum, published in 1844, I described it, from two adult skulls from India of 18 and 20 inches long, as a new species, which I called Crocodilus bombifrons, pointing out the straightness of the suture between the intermaxillary and the maxillary bones. I observed that I had seen in the Paris Museum a large specimen which had been described by Duméril and Bibron as an adult of Crocodilus biporeatus, which appeared to belong to this species, stating that it was immediately known from C. porosus by the breadth and convexity of the face. OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 141 In the same work I separated the Indian specimen from the common African Croco- dilus, under the name of Crocodilus palustris of Lesson, and pointed out that it seemed to be the same as the Crocodilus biporcatus raninus of Miiller and Schegel; and I described two other very young specimens under the name of Crocodilus trigonops, on account of the shortness and width of the head. The examination of the specimens on which these species were founded, and the com- parison of them one with another when ranged in a series, with the other specimens since obtained interlocated in their places according to their size, have convinced me that they are referable to mere variations of growth of a single species, which is generally spread over the Indian peninsula. Var. Nose narrow, the intermaxillary bones rather longer and narrower. Hab. Ceylon (skull, Kelaart). Fig. 1, and 6. Skull of adult C. bombifrons, Gray, 1847. Presented by Capt. Oriel. There may be two species of Ceylon Muggars, as in one of the heads the intermax- illaries appear to be longer and narrower than in the others from the same country. I VOL. VI.—PART. IV. Dg 142 DR. J. E. GRAY’S SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECTES have not sufficient materials to satisfy myself as to the distinctness of this species and the permanence of the forms. Fig. 2. Skull of B. indicus, nearly adult. Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. 4. in. lines. in. _ lines. in. lines. in. lines. iene GhroL Skule... ci. .steaetererstenete res 20 0 17 3 9 10 4 8 Length from occiput to front of orbit.. 6 9 5 9 3 if 2 8 TLenethotstace ptormrice.« =.) en eet 13 3 11 6 6 3 2 0 Length of lower jaw .............- 27 0 23 0 none. 5 5 Widthiatrocciprtinain cre. «|-tereeria cr 13 5 10 6 ay palit 2 6 Width at hinder notch ............ 9 2 6 9 3 9 1 6 Widthvatmotch Weenies 5 4 ieaedue 2 4 0 9 The face becomes shorter, compared with the width of the middle of the face, as the animal becomes older. In the young, fig. 4, the length of the head is rather more than three times the width of the swollen part behind the notch. In fig. 3 it is just three times, and in fig. 2 it is OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. . 145 twice and a half the length of the width at the same part; and in the old skull, fig. 1, it is only a little more than twice the width of the face in length. Fig. 3. Skull of B. indicus, half-grown. India, Sir John Boileau. Ze Fig. 4. Skull of young, of natural size (C. trigonops, Gray), Asa good illustration of the difference in the appearance of the skulls of the individuals of the species, I may give the measurement of two skulls of “ Muggars” from India, of the same size, in the British Museum Collection :— Broad variety, Narrow variety. inches. inches, Length of the skull along the forehead ............ 94 94 Menotihvol side of fhe skill yep errr ets siete e cele: 102 103 Whidthrot backlotiskullee, y-rtveieeemsctelnallel te stele «chars 5¢ 53 Widthinitrontiof ORDitsi perc wersener) atetereleie re -s)ied-\h« 4} 4 Wadthiioverlarcestioothy. ama geheerekiet cyefest-leh-l-sa 3g 3y MVIGIAC EK Me Apa oed san co4 0 Ole oc moUe) ce Te 23 2 or 142 The broad-nose varicty (fig. 3) was presented by Sir John Boileau, and the narrow one by Capt. Boys. ° bo x 144 DR. J. E. GRAYS SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES When the two skulls are placed side by side, the large teeth are just the same distance apart, and the different teeth in the two skulls exactly agree in size, position and distance from each other. 2. BoMBIFRONS SIAMENSIS. (Siamese Muggar.) The face depressed, elongate, nearly smooth, with a slight nodule in front of the orbits. Intermaxillaries rather elongate, half oblong. Crocodilus niloticus, Latr. Rept. i. 206, t. —. From Faujas St. Fond, Mont. St. Pierre, t. 43. Crocodilus siamensis, Schn. Amph. 157. Gray, Syn. 60; Cat. Tort. & Croc. B. M. 63 (monstrosity) ? From Perrault, Hist. Acad. Sci. iii. 255, t. 54. Giinther, Rept. B. I. t. 18. f. 3. Crocodilus galeatus, Cuvier, Oss. Foss. v. 52, t.1.f.9 (from Perrault). Dum. & Bibr. Erp, Gén.iii.113. Crocodilus palustris (part.), Dum. & Bibr. Erp. Gén. ii. 113. Crocodilus vulgaris (part.), Gray, Syn. 58. Dum. & Bibr. Erp, Gén. ii, 108? Miller & Schlegel, _ Verh. t. 3. f. 9 (head ?). Crocodilus vulgaris, Owen, Cat. Osteol. Mus. Col. Surg. 107. n. 718 ? Bombifrons siamensis, Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. 3rd series, x. 269. Hab. Siam, Cambogia (MM. Mouhot). There is a well-preserved half-grown specimen of this species in the British Museum.* It differs from all the specimens of Bombifrons indicus in the collection in the face being much longer, and not so tubercular and pitted. It has four series of nearly equal-sized, uniformly shaped, and keeled shields, with three interrupted series of unequal-sized smaller shields on each of the sides; those of the outer series are the longest. As the head agrees with the figure of the head from which Schneider named his species, I have retained it; and I have little doubt that the two keels which are present in that specimen are either an individual peculiarity, or perhaps a character that developed itself as the animal approached old age. The skull of the young animal in the Museum of the College of Surgeons, no. 718, appears to belong to this species; but it requires more comparison. It is clearly a Bombifrons, and it is much smoother and longer than the skull of B. indicus of the same size and age. Professor Owen observes, “The palatine suture between the premaxillary and maxillary bones passes obliquely backwards a little way at its commencement, and then extends truncated across; but the premaxillary bones are larger than in the second Gangetic Crocodile.” There is a small palpebrary ossicle above the anterior angle of the eyes.—Owen, /. c. p. 157. n. 718. There is a young specimen of a Crocodile, received from Singapore, which somewhat resembles the one from Siam in the form of the head, and has six series of strongly keeled shields on the back; but the four middle ones, of nearly equal size and form, and those of the outer series, are narrower, and there isa series of much smaller ones below on each of the sides. I am by no means convinced that this will form a distinct species, it is probably only an accidental or a local variety. OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 145 ** The legs with an indented fringe of short, narrow scales. Toes short, nearly free. American Crocodiles. 3. PALINIA. The face oblong; forehead very convex, with a ridge in front of each orbit, con- verging in front and forming a lozenge-shaped space. Nuchal plates two or four, unequal. Cervical disk rhombic, of six large plates. Dorsal plates large, broad, in six series; the vertebral series nearly smooth, the lateral one strongly keeled. The intermaxillary short, truncated behind the premaxillary ; suture straight, transverse — See Cuvier, Oss. Foss. iii. 72, t. 3. f. 1-5. Palinia, Gray, Cat. Tortoises & Crocodiles, B. M. 1844; Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd series, x. 270. 1. PALINIA RHOMBIFERA, (Cuban Palinia.) The upper surface of the forearms and thighs covered with convex keeled scales ; the outer edge of the legs and feet with a series of very elongate scarcely raised scales, forming only a slight fringe. The toes short, scarcely webbed. Aquez palin, Hernand. Nov. Mexic. ii. 2. Crocodilus rhombifer, Cuvier, Ann. Mus. H. N. x. 51; Oss. Foss. v. 51, t.3.f.1-4. Tiedem., Oppel, & Lebosch,Nat.Amph.75,t.10. Gray,Syn.Rept.59. Dum. & Bibr.Erp.Gén.iii.97. Sagra,Cuba, t.4! Huxley, Proc. Linn. Soc. iv.10. Blainy. Ostéog. Croc. t. 5. f. 3 (head?) (not Owen). Crocodilus (Palinia) rhombifer, Gray, Cat. Tort. Croc. B. M. 63; Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. x. 270. Crocodilus planirostris, Graves, Ann. Gén. des Sci. Phys. de Bordeaux, 11. 348. Gray, Syn. Rept. 59. Crocodilus gravesii, Bory de St. Vincent, Dict. Class. H. N. iii. 109, t. Dum. & Bibr. Erp. Gén. ii. 101. Hab. South America, Cuba (W. S. Macleay, Ramon de la Sagra). In the British Museum there is a well-grown specimen, 5 feet 4 inches long, of this species, collected in Cuba by M. Ramon de la Sagra, and sent from the French Museum. Two young specimens in spirits, sent from Cuba by Mr. W. 8. Macleay, are almost 2 feet long, are pale brown, with small dots on the head, and a dark spot on the middle of many of the dorsal scutella; the face is irregularly tessellated with square brown spots. Cuvier described the Crocodilus rhombifer from two specimens :—one in the Cabinet of the Academy of Sciences, in a nearly entire state ; and the other, a very mutilated skin, in the Museum, which also furnished him with the skull figured in t. 3. f. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of his work on Fossil Bones, pp. 51-70. The original habitats of these specimens were not marked. But M. Ramon de la Sagra sent a young living specimen to the Jardin des Plantes, proving that this is an American species; and it is probable that the Crocodile which Hernandez describes.and figures as coming from New Spain, under the name of Aguez-palin, belongs to this species. M. Graves, in the ‘ Annales Générales des Sciences Physiques de Bordeaux,’ describes a Crocodile under the name of C. planirostris, from a specimen which was formerly in the Colléction of the Academy of Bordeaux, but is now in the Museum of that town. It was procured from M. Journée, a surgeon of a ship that for some time traded with the negroes of the coast of Congo. M. Bory de St. Vincent for these reasons thought it might 146 DR. J. E. GRAYS SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES have come from Africa; and he figured and described it under the name of Crocodilus gravesii in the Dictionnaire Classique d’Hist. Nat. vol. iii. p. 109, t. MM. Duméril and Bibron observe that, when they asked for a new account of the specimen, it was in such a bad condition that they could only reproduce the description given by M. Graves. The study of the description and figure, which are the only material now left for the purpose, lead to the idea that it was not distinct from Crocodilus rhombifer, and was most probably brought from the island of Cuba; and the ships which are engaged in trade with the negroes on the coast of Congo frequently visit Cuba, as that island is furnished with slaves from the Congo coast; so that it is not at all unlikely that the specimen was brought from that island. 2. PALINIA? MORELETI. (Yucatan Palinia.) Crocodilus moreletii, Dum. Arch. du Mus. vi. 255, t. 20; Cat. Rept. 28, n. 5*. Palinia? moreletii, Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. 8rd series, x. 271. Dorsal scales keeled, nearly square; scales of the sides and limbs smooth, without tubercles. Hab. Yucatan, Lac Flores (IZ. Morelet). This species is described from a specimen in the Museum of Paris, which is very badly figured and indistinctly described in the memoir above cited. There are two young specimens of Crocodiles, in spirit, without habitats, in the British Museum, which are peculiar in the large size of the nuchal shield, the strength of the keels of the dorsal shields, and the large keeled scales of the forearms and thighs, in which they agree with Palinia rhombifera; but there is so much difference between the two, and between each of them and the specimens of that species from Cuba, that I think they must be left in doubt for further elucidation. There are also two small stuffed specimens in the collection (purchased of dealers, without any locality attached), which are peculiar in having six series of uniform, squarish, very strongly keeled dorsal scales; they are very unlike any other specimen in the collection, and may be new; but I do not like to describe them in the present imperfect state of our knowledge. b. The intermaxillary bone elongate, produced and truncated behind; the sutures sloping backwards and converging, and then transverse or sinuous. Toes webbed. Legs with a fringe of elongated triangular scales. 4. CRocoDILUS. Face oblong, depressed, without any ridge in front of the orbits. Nuchal shields four, in an arched series. Cervical disk rhombic, of six shields. Dorsal plates quadri- ~ lateral, as broad as long; the vertebral series rather the widest and most keeled. Intermaxillary produced behind. Crocodilus, Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. 8rd series, x. 271. “The crocodiles live on the mud-banks or swimming about the rivers” of Africa. Dr. Balfour Baikie observes:—‘‘ The ninth upper tooth of crocodiles is said to be OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 147 enlarged like a canine; but thisisnotcorrect. I have examined the dentition of eighteen skulls of various species; in the lower jaw there are always nineteen teeth, but in the upper jaw the number in the adult is seventeen on either side, while in the young it is eighteen. ‘This is owing to the second incisor being deciduous; and in old skulls the socket is completely obliterated by the enlargement of foramen for the two anterior teeth. Thus in old animals there are only four teeth in each intermaxillary bone, while in the younger individuals there are always five. So, more strictly, it is the tenth, and not the ninth, upper tooth which is enlarged.”—P. Z. S. 1857, p. 50. CROCODILUS VULGARIS. (Olive African Crocodile.) Crocodilus niloticus (part.), Daud. Rept. ii. 267. Wagler, Syst. Amph. t. 7. f. 11. 1, 2. Crocodilus vulgaris, Cuvier, Oss. Foss. v. 42, t.1. £.5 & 12, t.2.f.7. Blainv. Ostéogr. Crocod. 126. Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. 3rd series, x. 271. Huxley, Proc. Linn. Soc. iv. 6. C. suchus, Geoff. Ann. Mus. x. 84, t. 3. f. 2-4. C. chamses, Bory, Dict. Class. H. N. vy. 105. C. lacunosus, Geoff. Croc. d’ Egypte, 167. C. marginatus, Geoff. Desc. @ Egypte, 365. Gray, Cat. Tortois. 61. Crocodilus cataphractus, Riippell, MS. Gray, Syn. Rept. 78. Mus. Frankfort. Crocodilus verd de Sénégal, Adanson, Sénég. Cuvier Oss. Foss. v. 4. Crocodilus acutus, Owen, Cat. Osteol. Mus. Coll. Surg. p. 157. n. 715, not Cuvier. Crocodilus binuensis, Balfour Baikie, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1857, xxv. 484. Skull described. Green crocodile, Gray, Rep. of Brit. Assoc. 1862, Sections, p. 107. Hab. African rivers. Living on the mud-banks: North Africa, Egypt; West Africa, Senegal (Adanson); Gaboon (Murray, Cope); South Africa, Cape of Good Hope; Central Africa, Kwora and Binui (Baikie); Madagascar (Havet, fide Cuvier, Oss. Foss. 44). Fig. 5. Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8. Head and nuchal and cervical shields of Crotodilus vulgaris. 148 DR. J. E. GRAYS SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES The largest specimen in the British Museum is nearly 15 feet long. ‘There is a very fine skull received from old Calabar, whose greatest width behind is 13 inches, length above upper surface from end of nose to back of occiput 22 inches, width at the larger lateral tooth 72 inches, at the notch 42 inches. The intermaxillary bones are produced backwards between the ends of the maxilla. The hinder nasal opening is transverse, inferior, and ascending nearly perpendicularly. The nose has two large oblong diver- ging prominences on the sides—one over the hinder edge of the notch, and the other over the hinder part of the root of the largest tooth, behind the notch. There is a second skull from Western Africa in the Museum, of nearly the same length, which is considerably narrower in all its parts. Length along the upper surface from end of nose to back edge of occiput 203 inches; greatest width behind, 12 inches, at largest lateral tooth 63 inches, at the notch 3? inches. These two skulis rather differ in the direction of the suture behind the maxillary bones; in the wider specimen it is much more produced behind than in the other. I have examined and compared with care specimens of different ages from North Africa near the Nile, from West Africa at Senegal and Gaboon, South Africa at the Cape of Good Hope and Natal, and a specimen brought from Central Africa by Dr. Baikie; and though they each exhibited certain peculiarities, yet I believe, as far as the specimens at my command enable me to form a judgment, that they all belong to a single species which is generally distributed over the African continent. At the same time, from the slight differences which the specimens from the different localities do exhibit, I should not be surprised, if we had a complete series of perfect specimens and of skulls of different ages from each locality, to find that there were sufficient differences between them to show that each locality has a special local variety or, perhaps, species; but unfortunately there is not in the British Museum, or in the other museums and collections to which I have access, such a series; all the speci- mens from the cape of Good Hope and West Africa seem to be either in the adult or very young state, while those from the other localities are either very young, or of an intermediate age. On the other hand the series of specimens: from the same locality, as from South Africa for example, whence we have most specimens, exhibit variations among them- selves, quite as great as between the specimens from various parts of Africa. It is therefore more safe to regard them all as one species. These species grow to a large size; we have a specimen from the Nile and some from the Cape of Good Hope in the British Museum which are nearly 15 feet long. The skulls which seem to belong to larger specimens often reach the length of 24 or 25 inches. The history of the Nile Crocodile is given in great detail in the fifth volume of Cuvier’s *‘ Recherches sur les Ossemens Fossiles, v. 45. Geoffroy St. Hilaire, in his ‘ Essay on the Crocodiles of Egypt,’ separated the Egyptian OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 149 specimens into two species under the name of Crocodilus lacunosus and C. marginatus. In the “ Annales du Muséum,” vol. x. p. 83, he described a third, under the name of C. suchus. Professor Owen has figured the skull of a crocodile, from an Egyptian mummy, under the name of Crocodilus suchus, Geoff., in the ‘Monograph on the Fossil Reptilia of the London Clay,’ published by the Paleontographical Society, 1850, t. 1. f. 2. I do not see how it differs from the crocodiles at present found in the Nile. See also Huxley, Journ. Proc. Linn. Soc. iv. 15. In the ‘Catalogue of Tortoises and Crocodiles,’ p. 61, I separated the adult Cape crocodiles from the North-African specimens, under the name of C. marginatus, because the head is not so narrow; but it is to be observed that most of the North-African speci- mens with which I had compared them were of small size, and consequently had the head less developed. Dr. Baikie described the crocodile of Central Africa, found in the river Kwora and Binue (or Niger and Twedda), under the name of Crocodilus binuensis; it is of a dark green colour, and lives on the mud-banks or swimming in the rivers. Mr. Cope, ‘Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia’ for 1859, p. 296, regards the crocodile of Equatorial Western Africa (Ogobai) as the Croco- dilus marginatus of Geoffroy. Dr. A. Smith, referring the Cape specimens to Crocodilus marginatus, observes, “ they are occasionally found in the rivers west of Port Natal, but more abundantly in those to the eastward and northward, and occur in such numbers in the rivers in a district north of Kurrichane, between 24° and 22° south latitude, that the natives who used to reside there were known by the appellation Baguana=the people of the crocodile.”—Zool. South Africa, Appendix 2, 1845. MM. Duméril and Bibron in their ‘ Erpétologie Générale,’ iv. 104, divided their Crocodilus vulgaris into four varieties, thus :— Var. a. The Crocodilus vulgaris of Geoffroy, from North Africa, Egypt, and the Nile. Var. b. Crocodilus palustris, Lesson, described from a specimen sent from the Ganges by M. Duvaucel, and from the coast of Malabar by M. Dussumier. Var. c. the Crocodilus marginatus, 1. Geoffroy, from North Egypt and the Cape of Good Hope. Var. d. the Crocodile verd of Adanson, from the Nile, the Niger, and Senegal. There is no doubt that vars. a, c, and d are true Crocodiles, and are what is considered, in this essay to be the Crocodilus vulgaris of Africa. Var. b on the other hand does not belong to the same genus. I have not the slightest doubt this variety is founded on young and half-grown specimens of Bombifrons indicus, most distinct from Crocodilus vulgaris by the form of the head and the structure of the skull, as MM. Duméril and Bibron would have found, if they had examined any of VOL. VI.—PART IV. ut 150 DR. J. E. GRAYS SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES the twelve specimens which they say they procured. They have named the adult specimen in the Paris Museum Crocodilus biporcatus. In the ‘ Annals and Magazine of Natural History,’ vol. xviii. t. 7, Dr. Falconer figures the skull of a Crocodile under the name of C. marginatus, which is in the Belfast Museum. It is said to have been brought from Sierra Leone; but I think that this must be a mistake: it is not like the skull of any Crocodile I have seen from West Africa, and it is not a bad representation of the skull of a half-grown Bomébifrons indicus from India. Can the habitat be a mistake? perhaps the habitat was only intended for the first-de- scribed species, Cataphractus mecistops, for which it is the true locality. A skull of Crocodilus vulgaris is described in Professor Owen's ‘Catalogue of Os- teological Specimens in the Museum of the College of Surgeons’ under the name of Crocodilus acutus, p. 157. n. 716. 5. Mouinia. « Face elongate ; forehead swollen, convex, especially in the adult; orbits without any anterior ridge. Nuchal plates two or four, small. Cervical disk rhombic, of six plates, the side plates generally small.- The legs fringed with a series of triangular elongate scales. Toes webbed. Scales of the forearm and thigh thin, smooth. Muzzle oblong, elongate, slender, with a swollen convexity on the middle of the face before the eyes. Nostril not separated by a long ridge: the internal nostril pos- terior, with an oblong sloping opening; the intermaxillary suture produced behind between the ends of the maxille. Molinia, Gray. Ann. & Mag. N. H. 3rd series, x. 272. * Face slender. Dorsal plates irregular ; the central series small, keeled ; lateral scattered, strongly keeled. Nasal bones produced to the nostrils. Molinia. 1. Mouiia americana (American Crocodile). Crocodilus americanus (Plumieri), Schn. Amph. ii. 23. Gray, Cat. Tort. & Croc. &c. B. M. 60. Crocodilus acutus, Geoff. Ann. Mus. ii. 58, t. 57. f. 1. Cuvier, Oss. Foss. v. t. 1. f.3 & 14, t. 2. £5. Gray, Syn. 60. Dum. & Bib. Erp. Gén. iii. 120. Owen, Cat. Osteol. Spec. Mus. Col. Surg. 157. n. 711, 712, 714, 716; Reptiles of the London Clay, t. 25.f.10. Brihl, Skelet. Krokod. t. 8 & 9, t. 10, t. 17. Crocodilus americanus (acutus, Cuv.), Huxley, Journ. Proc. Linn. Soe. iv. 11, 1859. Molinia americana, Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. 3 ser. x. 272. ?? Crocodilus biscutatus (part.), Cuvier, Oss. Foss. x. t. 2. f. 6. Tiedem. Amph. t. 12. Crocodilus de St. Domingue, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. ii. 53, t. 27. f. 1. Hab. Tropical America. Cuba (W. S. Macleay); Jamaica (B.M.); West Ecuador Nicaragua (Fraser ; Richardson); West coast of America (Belcher); St. Domingo (Cuvier); Guatemala (Salvin). The specimens in the British Museum vary in length from 19 to 103 inches; and the skulls show that they grow to a larger size. OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 151 Var. with two additional small cervical scutella behind the others. BM. Crocodilus americanus, var.? Gray, Cat. Tort. & Croc. B. M. 60. Crocodilus acutus, var., A. Dum. Cat. Rept. 28; Arch. du Mus. vi. 256. Molinia americana, var., Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. x. 272. Hab. West coast of America (Belcher); Mexico (Warwick). Cuvier in his essay gives the history of this species under the name of Le Crocodile a museau effilé, ou de Saint Domingue (Crocodilus acutus, nob.), Oss. Foss. vy. 458, and figures the skull at t. 1. f. 3 & 14, and the nuchal shield at t. 2. f. 5. Professor Briihl described and figured the skeleton of this species in his work. ‘There is the skeleton of a well-grown specimen in the British Museum, and several skulls. The central prominence of the hinder part of the muzzle is sometimes much less developed than in the typical skulls. ** Face very slender. Dorsal plates nearly uniform. Nasal bones not produced quite to the nostrils. ‘Temsacus. 2. MoLinia INTERMEDIA (Orinoco Crocodile). (Plate XXXII. figs. 4-6.) Dorsal plates in six rows, all slightly and nearly equally elevated; the keels of the two yertebral series rather larger than the others, quadrilateral, rather broader than long; the lateral ones oval, with five or six large plates forming an interrupted line on the sides. Crocodilus intermedius, Graves, Ann. Sci. Phys. i. 344. Gray, Syn. 59. Crocodilus journei, Bory, Dict. @H. N.v. iii. Dum. & Bib. Erp. Gén. iii.129. A. Dum. Arch. du Mus. x. 172, t. 14. f. 3 (head). Huxley, Proc. Linn. Soe. iy. 11. Crocodile de ? Orénoque, Parzudaki, MS. Mecistops journei (part.), Gray, Cat. Tort. & Croc. B. M. 58, from Bory. Molinia intermedia, Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. 3rd series, x. 272. 2? Mecistops bathyrhynchus, Cope, Proc. Acad. N. 8. Philad. 1860, xi. 550 (skull). Hab. America: Orinoco. There is a young specimen in spirits in the British Museum, sent by M. Brandt, of Hamburg, as Crocodilus acutus, and an adult skull, 20 inches long, received from Paris as Crocodile de 1 Orénoque, and a second very large skull purchased in London. In my Catalogue of Tortoises and Crocodiles in the British Museum Collection, from all I could then learn, I was induced to believe that the Crocodilus intermedius of Graves was the same as the Crocodilus schlegelii of Borneo, and therefore called the Bornean animal Mecistops journei. M. Duméril, in his paper in the Archives du Muséum, not seeing the mistake, says that I refer the true Crocodilus intermedius to the genus Mecistops, and suggests that Crocodilus acutus ought also to belong to it. M. Auguste Duméril, for the purpose of comparing the head of this Crocodile with that of Crocodilus leptorhynchus of West Africa, gave a figure of the head and front part of the back of the Crocodile de Journée, Archiv. du Mus. x. 173, t. 14. f. 3; but it does not appear whether it is from a specimen, or only an enlarged copy of the figure of y2 152 DR. J. E. GRAYS SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES M. Bory de St. Vincent. If the latter, it is so embellished that one is unable to recognize its origin. Figs. 9 & 10. Skull of Molinia intermedia: aduit. Il. Nape with a broad flat-topped shield formed of two or three pairs of keeled plates, strongly keeled on each side, and nearly continuous with the dorsal shield. Legs fringed. Toes webbed. Abnormal Crocodiles. * Face broad; nasal bone produced into the nostril, Alligatorian Crocodiles. 6. Hancrosta. The premaxillary suture transverse, rather convex backwards. Nasal bones produced beyond the intermaxillary, and forming a bony septum between the nostrils. The palatine bone produced to the same level as the lateral opening—that is, to the lateral inflection of the skull. The face oblong, broad, without any ridge in front of the orbit. Eyelids with two bony plates. Nuchal plates four, in a cross row, strongly keeled. Cervical plates three or four pairs, forming a ridge on each side, the hinder one smaller. Dorsal plates in four series; the central broad, slightly keeled, the outer narrow, dis- tinctly keeled; sides with large convex scales. Halcrosia, Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. 3rd series, x. 273. Osteolemus, Cope, Proe. Acad. N. 8. Philad. xii. 550. ° It has the square head and the elongated cervical shield formed of single pairs of scutella, and the bony eyelids, of the Alligators with bony eyelids; but it is a Crocodile, and there are two bones in the eyelid instead of one\as in Caiman palpebrosus. OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 155 The skull of the Alligator palpebrosus is easily known from that of this species even in the young by the cheeks of the former being flattened and nearly erect, and of the latter spread out, and in the supratemporal fossee being open, while in the Alligator they are closed even in the young specimens. Most probably it was from the examination of a skull of this Crocodile that the statement has arisen that in some Alligators the canine teeth sometimes fit into a notch in the upper jaw, and not into a pit as they normally do in that genus. 1 will not under- take to say that such an abnormal state does not exist in the genus Alligator; but I have not observed it. Hatcrosia ni@Ra (Black African Crocodile). (Plate XXXI. figs. 4, 5, 6.) Krokodile noir du Niger, Adanson, MS., Mus. Paris. See Cuvier, Oss. Foss. iii. 41. Crocodilus niger, Latr. H. N. Rept. i. 510, from Adanson. Crocodilus palpebrosus, var. 2, Cuvier, Oss. Foss. ui. 41, t. 2. f. 6 (part.). Crocodilus trigonatus (part.), Cuvier, Oss. Foss. ii. 65. African Black Crocodile, Gray, Rep. Brit. Assoc. 1862, Sections, 107. Osteolemus tetraspes, Cope, Proc. Acad. N.S. Philad. xu. 550. Crocodilus frontatus, A. Murray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1862, pp.139, 213, fig. head, t. 29. by Ford. Strauch, Syn. Croc. t. 1 (head, young). Halcrosia frontata, Gray, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd series, x. 277. Hab. West Africa: Senegal (Adanson); Gaboon ; Old Calabar ; aca River (Cope). Figs. 11-14. Head and cervical and nuchal plates of young Halcrosia nigra 154 DR. J. E. GRAYS SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES Black, slightly mottled with pale whitish. Head pale olive, black dotted; sides of lower jaw black-banded ; muzzle broad, oblong, trigonal, rather dilated on the sides; forehead high, broad, and flat, with a small tubercle at the front angle of the orbit. Nuchal shields strongly keeled, two ina cross line in two groups. Cervical shields six, in three pairs, all close together, the two anterior pairs of equal size, large, strongly keeled, and bent in on the outer sides, the hinder pairs much smaller. The vertebral series of dorsal shield broad, square, scarcely keeled, with one, and in the front of the back two rows of oval, elongated, keeled shields on the side of them, and a few isolated, scattered, compressed, high, tubercular-like, small, ovate shields on the sides of the body. Shields of the upper arm oblong, trigonal, keeled, in six oblique cross series. The lines of the upper jaw sinuous, three-parted, the front with five, the second with seven, and the hinder with five teeth. The largest specimen I have seen is in the Free Museum at Liverpool, which is nearly 5 feet long, but I have no doubt it grows larger. The muzzle of this specimen from the tip of the nose to the orbit is 34 inches, its width in front of the orbit 25 inches, and at the notch of the canine teeth 14 inch. The eyelid is obliquely divided from the front of the orbit to the back of the eye. The Black African Crocodiles appear to be a common species on the west coast of Africa; for they are often brought to the Port of Liverpool by the palm-oil ships, and frequently in a living state; indeed I am informed there were some lately alive in the Society's Gardens in the Regent’s Park. Mr. Andrew Murray, at my recommendation, has described it in the ‘ Proceedings’ of the Society as a new species of Crocodile under the name of C. Frontatus; for at that instant it did not occur to me that it might be the Black Crocodile of Adanson, noticed as an Alligator. It is to be observed that, though they have specimens of this Crocodile in the Paris Museum in such abundance as to part with the skeleton of it asa duplicate, it is not included as. Alligator palpebrosus, or under any name, in M. Auguste Duméril’s List of the Reptiles of West Africa, printed in the last volume of the Archives du Muséum of Paris. This Crocodile has very much the external appearance of the Caiman with bony eyelids, Crocodilus palpebrosus, Cuvier; and I think it very likely that Cuvier mistook a specimen of it in the Paris Museum, which Adanson had marked with his own hand * Krokodile noir du Niger, for a specimen of that species. (See Cuvier, Oss. Foss. iii. p- 41.) And it is still confounded with that species by the French naturalists; for there is a skeleton in the British Museum, lately sent from M. Braconier, of the French Museum, under the name of Caiman a paupiéres osseuses. Adanson, in his ‘ Voyage to Senegal,’ at p. 10, mentions the occurrence of Crocodiles, and at p. 73 a second kind of Crocodile, which is as large as the other, and distin- guished by the black colour and by the jaws being much more elongated. It is more carnivorous, and said to be fond of human flesh. OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 155 Cuvier, in his Essay on the species of existing Crocodiles, first published in the 10th volume of the ‘Annales du Muséum,’ and reprinted in his ‘ Ossemens Fossiles’ under the head of Le Caiman & paupiéres osseuses (Crocodilus palpebrosus, nob.), after dividing this species into two varieties, expressed a doubt if they were not inhabitants of different continents. He observes, “One of my individuals, which has been for many years in the Museum, has on it the half-effaced name of Krokodile noir du Niger in the hand-writing of Adanson,’—and proceeds thus :— “This naturalist, in his ‘ Voyage,’ speaks of two Crocodiles in the Senegal. M. de Beauvois adds that he saw at Guinea a Crocodile and a Caiman. It is therefore clear that there is a species with the form of a Caiman that inhabits Africa. “There remains still an embarrassment. Adanson says his Black Crocodile has the muzzle longer than the Green, which is certainly the same as the Crocodile of the Nile ; but we have a specimen ticketed by his own hand which has a much shorter muzzle than that from Egypt. ' “Has Adanson made a mistake in writing this phrase? or has he erroneously ticketed the specimen? How are we to disentangle these errors?” &c., vol. v. p. 41. Duméril and Bibron, in their ‘ Erpétologie Générale’ (vol. iii. p. 75) adopt and repeat all that Cuvier has said, and still doubt if these two varieties may not be found, the one in America, and the other in Africa. If Cuvier and his successors had examined the two specimens on which they founded the account of his second variety of C. palpebrosus, they would have found that they were not only distinct species, but also species belonging to two genera or subgenera. The one which had served as the model for Seba, and which Seba, with the usual inat- tention to true habitats at that period, said came from Ceylon, was a true Alli- gator, and a native of America; and the other, ticketed by Adanson as from the Niger, was really a Crocodile from Africa : so that the sarcastic observation which he made on travellers, and which may in some cases be true, in this instance was uncalled for, the traveller being in fact more accurate than the cabinet naturalist; and Adanson only made a slip of the pen in saying the beak was longer instead of shorter than the common Green Crocodile; and any one who compares the Black Crocodile of Africa with an American Caiman will not think that M. Beauvois was very much out when he called it a “ Caiman.” Cuvier, in his Essay, when describing Crocodilus biscutatus, established on the Gavial du Sénégal of Adanson, again refers to the Crocodile noir of that author. He states that among the drawings of Adanson there is the figure of a Crocodilus vulgaris, named Crocodile noir, and a Caiman & paupiéres osseuses, inscribed the Crocodile vert. This must evidently have been an inadvertence, like the statement of the length of the nose ; but, as Cuvier observed, this is pardonable, as Adanson most probably named these draw- ings after he had forgotten them, and had been studying other things, long after his voyage, which occupied some of the first years of his youth. (See Cuvier, Oss. Foss. iii. 53.) 156 DR. J. E. GRAY’S SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES A Caiman, in some of its characters, but which is nevertheless a true Crocodile, with the canines fitting into a notch, and not into a pit, in the upper jaw, is, there cannot be any doubt, the Crocodile that Adanson referred to; for it agrees with his descrip- tion in colour and in its ferocious habits. And further that it is the Crocodile that the French naturalists refer to, is proved by the fact, already recorded, that we have received from one of the persons employed by M. Duméril at the Paris Museum a skeleton of a young specimen of the Black Crocodile of West Africa as the skeleton of the American Alligator palpebrosus of Cuvier. ** Face very long, slender; nasal not reaching to the nostril. Gavialian Crocodiles. 7. Mecistops. Face subcylindrical, scarcely dilated in the middle; orbits simple. Nuchal shields numerous, small, in two cross series. Cervical disk narrow, containing two or three pairs of plates. Dorsal plates small, all keeled, in six longitudinal series, lateral one narrowest. Intermaxillary produced behind, and embracing the front end of the nasal. Mecistops, Gray, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd series, x. 273; Cat. Tortoises & Crocodiles B. M. 58. Huxley, Proc. Linn. Soe. iv. 15, 1859. This genus has some resemblance to the Gavials; but the structure of the skull and the position of the teeth are those of a true Crocodile. Professor Owen observes, “There is, however, a very close resemblance in the elon- gate, slender proportion of the skull and the elongated festooned border of the jaws between this species and the Crocodilus schlegelii from Borneo.”—Loe. cit. p.158. The Crocodilus schlegelit is a Gavial. Dr. Falconer observes, ‘The nasal bones (in Mecistops) are extremely narrow and attenuated, but, as in the true Crocodiles, they descend between the maxillaries so as to project into a notch between the intermaxillaries. The same holds good in C. schlegelit, where, as with Gavials, the nasal terminates a short way in front of the orbits, and does not enter into the formation of the anterior portion of the beak” (p. 363). “This cha- racter is a good diagnostic mark between the Crocodile proper and the Gavials, separating C. schlegelii from the latter genus? under which Miiller ranged it’ (p. 363). Dr. Balfour Baikie states, “In all essentials the skull of the Mecistops shows it is to be properly classed as a member of the family Crocodilide rather than the Gavialidee. The teeth are irregular, the sides of the jaw are not parallel; there is a distinct swelling opposite the ninth remaining upper molar; and the lower canines are received into notches in the upper jaw.’ —P. Z. S. 1857, p. 58. OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 157 MECIsToPs CaTAPHRACTUS. (African False Garial.) (Plate XXXII. figs. 1, 2, 3.) Crocodilus biscutatus, Cuvier, Oss. Foss. iii. 52, 65, t. 5 (very young). Crocodilus bisulcatus, Bory, Dict. Class. N. H. v. 108, misprint. Crocodilus cataphractus, Cuvier, Oss. Foss. y. t. 5. f. 1, 2 (erocodile 4 nuque cuirassée) ; [copied A. Dum. Arch. du Mus. x. t. 14. f. 2]. Dum. & Bib. E. G. iii. 126 (young). Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1834, p.110. Owen,Cat. Osteol. Spec. Mus. Coll. Surg. p. 155. n. 710 (Cuvier’s type). The Crocodile, Bowdich, Madeira, 232. Crocodilus leptorhynchus, Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1835, p. 129. A. Dum. Arch. du Mus. x. 252 &i. 171, t. 14. f. 1. Mecistops cataphractus, Gray, Cat. B. M. 58. Mecistops bennettii, Gray, Cat. B. M. 57. Gavial of Senegal, Gray, Rep. Brit. Assoc. 1862, Sect. 107. Mecistops, Balfour Baikie, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1857, p. 58. Hab. West and Central Africa; ? Fernando Po (Bennett), Gaboon, Lagos. Central Africa, River Binué (Laikie). . The species has been described from small young specimens. It grows to a large size. ‘There is an imperfect specimen which is scarcely adult, in the British Museum, that was sent from Fernando Po by Capt. R. F. Burton, which must have been 13 or 14 feetlong. Unfortunately it wants the head; the body is 5 feet and the tail 8} feet long. Figs. 15-18. Head and cervical shield of Mecistops cataphractus. The specimen, originally sent by Mr. Bennett, was said to have come from Fernando Po; but Dr. Balfour Baikie observes that Fernando Po is a small volcanic island, totally without the muddy rivers delighted in by Crocodiles, and possessing nothing but streams, which during the rainy season are tumultuous mountain-torrents, with rocky beds.—Proc. Zool. Soc. 1857, p. 58. VOL VI.—PART IY. Z 158 DR. J. E. GRAY’S SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES Most probably Mr. Bennett’s specimen came from the coast, and was only received through agents at Fernando Po. Cuvier, in his Essay, described, under the name of Crocodilus biscutatus, and figured the nuchal shields at t. 2. f. 6, a species of Crocodile founded on a specimen in the French Museum, which is labelled in Adanson’s hand “ Gavial du Sénégal,” and also on a very mutilated stuffed specimen which Cuvier found in the Museum of the Academy of Sciences at Paris (see Oss. Foss. v. 53, 65, t. 2. f. 6). He observes:—“ the colour of these specimens is scarcely darker than that of the common Crocodile; therefore it cannot be the Black Crocodile of Adanson.” And he further specially remarks that “the jaws are a little longer and narrower than those of C. vulgaris, but not so long and slender as those of C. acutus.” It resembles the latter in the dorsal shield of the vertebral line being only slightly keeled; but its peculiar character is that the middle of its nape is armed with two large pyramidal shields, and with two smaller ones in front of them. This Crocodile has been a paradox until this time. MM. Duméril and Bibron regarded this mutilated specimen as only a specimen of the American Crocodile (C. americanus) with an anomalous development of the cervical and nuchal shields, observing that the specimens of this species are liable to variation in this respect; but yet they do not describe any as exactly resembling Cuvier’s description or figure. It does not appear that the specimen labelled by Adanson came under the examination of these naturalists; at least I cannot find any reference to it in their work. Cuvier unfortunately does not state its size; but I have a strong opinion that it must have been a very young specimen of Mecistops cataphractus before its elongated jaws were developed, and that the name of Gavial du Sénégal was very applicable to it; the back is grooved, by the flatness of the vertebral series of shields, as described by Cuvier, and as is characteristic of the American Crocodile (C. acutus) with which MM. Duméril and Bibron compared it. But this is a question that can only be solved by the examination of the original specimens. Cuvier, in his Essay (vol. v. p. 58), observes, ‘‘ When in England in 1818', I saw at the 1 T recollect this visit with pleasure; for I was deputed by Dr. Leach to show this celebrated naturalist and wayering politician some of the natural-history treasures, and also some of the social and political peculiarities of the metropolis, such as the Tower, the Bell and Lancaster and other schools, &c. Among the rest, I took him to the Westminster election, at Covent Garden. Being known to Sir Francis Burdett, I took M. Cuvier on to the hustings, and introduced him to some of the Westminster notabilities, whom he knew by reputation, and was anxious to see in person. He was so interested in these bygone saturnalia that we lingered tob long ; for when Capt. Murray Maxwell attempted to speak, we were glad to “ duck our heads” to avoid the cabbage-stumps, rotten eggs, and dead cats and dogs with which the Captain was assailed; and when the mob attempted to take the hustings by storm, and were only driven off by the men-of-war’s men who were retained by Capt. Murray’s committee, we found it difficult to retreat. Cuvier visited England again in 1830, during the short revolution which placed Louis Philippe on the throne. While here, the Zoologists invited him to a dinner at the Albion Tavern: he was greatly pleased with what he called the almost royal magnificence of the OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 159 Museum of the College of Surgeons a dried specimen of a Crocodile.” ‘This he describes and figures under the name of “ Crocodile a nuque cuirassée” (Crocodilus cataphractus, nob.). In 1834 Mr. Edward Turner Bennett (Proc. Zool. Soe. ii. p. 10) gave a notice of a specimen of Crocodilus cataphractus of Cuvier being alive in the gardens of this Society. At the meeting of the Society on the 22nd September, 1835 (Proc. Zool. Soc. iii. p. 129), after the animal had died, on more close examination, he described this animal as a new species, under the name of Crocodilus leptorhynchus; and Mr. Martin added some notes on its internal anatomy. It is to be observed that Mr. Bennett and I were misled on this occasion by the erroneous breadth given to the animal in the figure published by Cuvier ; for he speaks of the length of the head “ being to its breadth as 3 to 1,” instead of as 24 to 1. In my Catalogue of the Tortoises, Crocodiles, and Amphibians in the Collection of the British Museum, published in 1844, I formed a genus under the name Mecistops for this animal, and for the first time described a full-grown specimen of it which we had received from the Gambia as MW. bennetti; for My. Rendal considered it distinct from Cuvier’s animal, but observed that they might be varieties. This might all have been avoided if we could have seen the original specimen; but when I inquired for it, it could not be found. The specimen described and figured by Cuvier is fortunately now to be seen in the Museum of the College of Surgeons, referred to under No. 710 in the Catalogue of Osteological Specimens of that collection. It is a young dried specimen of the Crocodile which is now so frequently brought from the west coast of Africa, and it affords no ground for the supposition of M. Duméril, expressed in his paper “On the Reptiles of Western Africa” (Arch. du Mus. v. 252), that these may be distinct species; and it shows that the figure of Cuvier, though characteristic, is not very carefully drawn, and that any difference that may appear results from the want of accuracy in the figure, and is not to be found in the animal itself,—supporting the opinion that I expressed in my paper in the ‘ Annals and Magazine of Natural History,’ 3rd series, x. p. 274. M. Auguste Duméril, in his paper “ On the Reptiles of Western Africa” (Archiv. du Mus. x. 271), gives a good figure of a half-grown specimen of this species under the name of Crocodilus leptorhynchus, t.14, and places by the side of it a tracing of Cuvier’s figure of Crocodilus cataphractus, to show that they cannot be alike; but the entertainment. During the dinner the news arrived that the Orleans party had succeeded ; he and his step- daughter, Miss Duvaucel (who was in the gallery with some ladies), immediately displayed the national colours, Cuyier’s political predilections were not strong; for he had held office under Napoleon and under the Bourbons, and he made no secret that he came provided so as to acknowledge the success of either party : he had a white and a tricolour cockade in his hat ready to show as the occasion required. When I visited him in after times, he more than once referred to the events of his visits. Z2 160 DR. J. E. GRAY’S SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES comparison of the specimens on which these species were founded shows how much better it is to refer to nature than to depend on figures and descriptions, which are liable to the imperfection attending human observation and record. Dr. Falconer, in the ‘ Annals and Magazine of Natural History’ for 1846 (xviii. 362, t. 6), described and figured a skull of this species under Cuvier’s name, which was in the Belfast Museum, and said to have been sent from Sierra Leone. Dr. Balfour Baikie described the skull of a specimen from the River Binué (see Proc. Zool. Soc. 1857, p. 58). Family III. ALLIGATORID. The upper and eleventh lower teeth longer, like canines, the canines of the lower jaw fitting into holes or perforations on the edge of the upper jaw. Alligatoride, Gray, Cat. Tortoises &c. B. M. 56, 1844. Huxley, Journ. Proc. Linn. Soe. iv. 3. Alligator, Cuvier. Gray, Ann. Phil. x. 195. Teeth strong, unequal; the hinder ones differ in shape from the anterior. The front pair of mandibular teeth, and the fourth pair (canines) are received into pits on the edges of the premaxilla and maxille. The mandibular teeth behind these pass inside and not between the maxillary teeth. The premaxillo-maxillary suture on the palate is straight or convex forwards. The symphysis of the lower jaw is short. Spix, in his work on Brazilian Lizards, gives very good figures of the Alligators, with the colours well marked. The Memoir on South-American Alligators by Natterer, contains very accurate and detailed figures of the head and the neck-shield of the different species. He has figured some varieties or species very nearly allied to those here noticed, which have not come under my observation. Spix divided the Alligators into two genera:—Jacaretinga, with acute nose (1. J. moschifer, t. 1= Caiman palpebrosus, p. 161; 2. J. punctulatus, t.2=Jacare punctulata, p. 159); and Caiman, or Jacare, with blunt nose (including 1. C. niger, t. 4=Jacare nigra, p. 167; 2. C. fissipes=Jacare latirostris, p. 167). His figures are very good representations of the species—indeed, the best knowh. MM. Duméril and Bibron admit the three species described and figured by Spix, thus :— 1. A. sclerops, p. 74; Caiman noir, Spix, Bras. t. 4. Head elongate, flattened, a ridge in front of each eye, the upper eyelid jimely striated. Nape with two rows of small oval compressed scales. Back with two central longitudinal ridges, the three last cross bands of six keeled scales. Black, yellow-banded. I have no specimen agreeing with the account of the nuchal scales and the eyelid of A. sclerops: according to Spix the dorsal scales are elongate. 2. A. eynocephalus, p. 86, Caiman fissipes, Spix, Bras. t. 3. Head short, broad, thick, a ridge in front of each eye, the upper eyelid rugose. Nape with two rows of OF RECENT CROCODILIANS. 161 large square keeled shields. Back scale keeled, the three last cross bands of four scales Sides with some strong keeled scales. Back green, black-dotted. 3. A. punctulatus, p. 91, Spix, Bras. t. 2. Head elongate, nose flattened, with a rounded point in front, without any preocular ridges, wpper eyelid rugose. Nape with two rows of shields. Back flat, scarcely keeled. Sides with some larger scales. Yellow, black-dotted. John Natterer, in his ‘‘ Beitrag zu den Siid-Amerikanischen Alligatoren,” edited by Fitzinger, describes eight species of the genus Champsa: five have partly bony eyelids, and three have them entirely bony. The five former belong to the genus under con- sideration. The preorbital ridge distinct, beak broad with three lateral foveole, eyelid striated, beak broad and blunt. C. nigra, t. 21. The nuchal scutella many, in three series. C. fissipes, t. 22. The nuchal scutella many, in two series. C. sclerops, t. 23. The preorbital ridge evanescent, beak without lateral foveole, eyelids rugose. ‘The frontal ridge flexuous, bent in front. C. vallifrons, t. 24. The frontal ridge arched, bent back. C. punctulata, t. 25. M. Natterer gives the following proportional measurements of the heads :— Length of Width of Width of Beak Length of Width of Crown Crown above the Head. Head. before. before. eighth tooth. in. 1 ans, 2 ins 1s inves. mie (Champsamietay oe clee. « seeie ee at A , at , Lt ae a xe e «re # ‘ at A / * r f f : N Syd bret Chek od . a ‘ . os “Ta a fia TUS APHRAC INTERMEDIU: Fam | ISTOPS Ce MITA Vids W West imp L LL CROCODILUS GHFord. SMa VIVITHOO WUVOVE peal HS G9 lb Ys ja, Wb \aae eee \ DPV Ty ks ae ee . a, ‘ pees oe Aim 990M VIVINOSIONOT SUVOVe >. * . VII. Note to Memoir on the Indian Cetacea collected by Sim WaAurer Enwror. By Professor Owrn, P.2.S., F.ZS., ke. tead May 9th, 1867. ly relation to my paper on Indian Cetacea, read before this Society on the 26th of June 1865, and published in the Society's ‘ Transactions’', I have received the following letter from Sir Walter Elliot, K.S.1., F.Z.S., to whom I was indebted for the specimens upon which my obseryations were based. Travellers’ Club, 15th April, 1867. “Dear Prov. OweNn,—Soon after my arrival in town a few weeks ago, my attention was called to some of the details in your paper on Indian Cetacea, im the Zoological Society's ‘Transactions.’ In replying to some inquiries of Mr. Flower, at the College of Surgeons, regarding the skull of Physeter simus, I noticed that you had described two individuals, a male and a female, whereas I had never met with more than a single. female specimen of this animal. I was puzzled to account for this; but as Mr. Sclater, who was with me at the time, stated that the original drawings from which the Plates had been taken were at the Zoological Society's office, I took an early opportunity of referring to them. I also sent to Scotland for a note-book in which I had entered remarks on specimens as they were obtained. On comparing these with your paper I found that the inaccuracies I had observed had been caused entirely by my own careless- ness in furnishing you with the scanty and imperfect materials on which your paper was founded, and by my omission to eliminate a faulty drawing. “You may remember that I first brought the crania to you in 1865, to know whether you thought them of sufficient interest to be described. On my return to Scotland, I sent you drawings with some remarks of my own, but overlooked the faulty figure entirely, which thus remained in the packet with the true ones. In April 1865 you wrote to me for some further information with reference to the notes written on the drawings, and added that you could only find two skulls, although my notes referred to others. In reply I sent you copies of all the memoranda I could find, and said that the crania must be with you, as I had left them all at the Museum. I came to London some weeks later, and on calling to see you I found the crania were still missing; but they were subsequently discovered, and your paper was prepared. “'To account for the origin of the erroneous figure, I must premise that the office I held in Madras from 1849 to 1854 was a very laborious one, demanding my whole 1 Vol; vi. p. 17. 172 PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. time, and leaving little leisure for other pursuits. Having always been fond of natural history, I kept a draughtsman continually engaged in depicting objects of interest. My house was on the sea-shore, and the fishermen from several miles along the coast used almost daily to bring me something or other which they considered to be rare or curious. But as I went to my office at 10 o'clock a.M., and did not return till 6 or 7 p.M., my artist had orders to proceed with his sketches as soon as the speci- mens were brought to him. On my return home in the evening, my first business was to inspect his work. By dint of constant supervision, I brought him to the exercise of scrupulous accuracy. If I found the least mistake, I had another drawing made the following day. He was principally engaged on naked mollusks, crustacea, and the mutations of lepidoptera, which he drew with the aid of the microscope. To the exactitude of these, Messrs. Alder and Hancock’s paper on the Indian Nudibranchs, in a former volume of the ‘ Transactions, bears testimony. “The Wongu or Physeter was brought to my house on the 28th of February, 1853. On examining the sketch the same evening, I was not satisfied with it, and therefore directed a more accurate drawing to be made, which was done, under my inspection, early the following morning. I was much interested in the specimen, which I believed to exhibit an entirely new form; and I made the following note in pencil on the back of the revised drawing, which is still legible :—‘ If the description of the Porpoise-family is correct, this must be a very different genus. The mouth is small, very much under the rounded snout, not reaching so far back as the eye, which is far above it, in a line with the rounded snout. The blow-hole is in front of the eyes, and (in this individual’) to the left of the middle line of the back, opening diagonally, with the points curving slightly backwards. Colour above shining black, smooth; beneath pale, and in this one discoloured with blood. Fore part (¢.¢. in front of the dorsal) depressed; behind the D. much compressed; the part nearest the tail rising into a sharp ridge.’ On the face of the drawing I wrote in ink ‘ new sp. Tel. name, wongu: adult ? : Waltair, March 1, 1853;’ and under the mouth I noted the dentition ‘}.4.’ On the first or cancelled sketch, the only writing was a note in the handwriting of the painter, ‘Found at Waltair on the 28th Feby. ’53, and, in Telugu characters, the name ‘ wongu.’ “Having completed the drawing, I made the following entry in my note-book:— ‘March 1, 1853.—A large Porpoise was brought by the Vizagapatam fishermen, of which the following is the description :— ft. ‘in. Total lengthy eek: Chek iad. S725 ARBOR, Fe ee TIE Oe (eos. ft. in. ft. in From muzzle topspiraclé ©... 3... shes 2 cee ew Oe af rom spiracle iho dorsalene. it o.,zshevestteusy cia er ee) From commencement of dorsal to end of caudal .. 3 10 eee pe ? I then thought this circumstance was accidental. PROFESSOR OWEN ON INDIAN CETACEA. ie “I wo Length of dorsal from insertion in front to tip .............0.. 000. aan Bread thy ods itone rye tss-tsisro'ctsis tte Sere, oes Dene MM Cana eee Ou Lateral measurements. Length from snout to insertion of pectoral.................. 1 5 Length from insertion of pectoral to vent ...............:.. oF ai Length from vent to centre of caudal...................... 2 3 (OG Inferior measurements. en othefromisnout to went 252 eacimer st ee tg Giana eee ae Length from vent to centre of caudal..................-... PGS —- 7 °3 EFOMSNOUG LOLCYC ES, dvcc, craic, soba tre eis chen erie eae enante qeriasteeege eee Oe: Vength'ofigape’ =... ns... Sauce ee lorhie te. bee olen othe tickdis siti te ican Girth where largest (in front of dorsal) ............... Ee Ae pas 4 eng thi: of pectoral aopociyecp aang aetmyd see. obs e hs eee ee Lnjy2 Breadth; of, caudal) ......-...22. an. ey CRSA a ele 1 10 ene ihvotavente toes ya- tg citurcats a bra citgs «ein eae waa gs eS Ox 10 Length of small apertures at either side of ditto..................... Ome «<'This very remarkable animal does not agree with any known genus or species. The fishermen call it wongu. The snout is rounded and blunt, the mouth, small and placed far below it, the teeth $.$=20. The eyes considerably above. the mouth, and nearly over the termination of or a little behind the gape; the spiracle before the eyes, situated to the left of the dorsal or central line, obliquely placed as regards its length, slightly curved and the points turning backwards. “ Paper read before the Zoological Society on the 8th November, 1864. ° Trans. Zool. Soe. vol. v. 176 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. and perhaps on the whole’, resembling Man’s more than does that of any other animal. If the bone is placed with the glenoid surface vertical, and compared with a similarly placed human scapula, the main difference will be seen to arise from the fact that, in the Orang, the inferior? vertebral angle is so much less produced downwards, while at the same time it extends more backwards, the angle formed by the axillary margin with the glenoid surface being only from 110° to 120°, instead of being from 135° to 140°, as in Man; while the prevailing direction of the vertebral margin, instead of being, as in him, nearly parallel with the glenoid surface, forms with it a marked angle open downwards. In both these respects Simia agrees more or less closely with Troglodytes ; but in the direction of the spine of the scapula, the former genus differs from Man in a way opposite to that in which Zroglodytes differs from him; for the angle (open upwards) formed by the spine with the glenoid surface, is from 65° to 70°, and therefore less than in Man, in whom it is about 82°; while in Troglodytes it is from 86° to 100°. Thus there is less obliquity in the position of the spine on the blade® than in Troglodytes, and the proportion borne by the supraspinous fossa to the infraspinous one* is much less, the latter sometimes® predominating more than even in Man. The spine commences at the lower end of the uppermost fifth of the vertebral margin of the scapula, by a marked flat triangular space, which is sometimes larger both abso- lutely and relatively than the same part in Man, thus differing notably from T’roglodytes, where the triangular surface is very indistinctly marked or absent (Pl. XXXV. fig. 1 s). The spine, apart from the acromion, forms a more elongated triangular plate of bone than in Zroglodytes, and slightly more so than in Man. Its upper surface is in general markedly concavo-convex®, and its under surface concave, to a degree never existing in Troglodytes, and which would not be found in Man but for the flattened and over- hanging free border of the spine. This projecting border is, in Simia, very rough, the roughness continuing backwards almost to the triangular space before mentioned, and thus differing from the same part in Zroglodytes (where the roughness is both less in degree and less extended) and more resembling that of Man. Simia, however, differs from Homo in that this rough free margin is much narrower, and that its lower margin much less overhangs the infraspinous fossa’. 1 Professor Huxley says of the Orang, “ the scapula, on the whole, bears a greater resemblance to that of Man than it does in either the Chimpanzee or Gorilla” (Medical Times, 1864, vol. i. p. 565). W. Vrolik also says it is ‘broader and more analogous to the scapula of Man” than in the Chimpanzee (Todd’s Cyclopedia, vol. iv. p. 203). * In describing the skeleton of such an animal as the Orang apart from quadrupedal forms, I think it better to describe it as if in the erect attitude, and to speak of that as “inferior” which in ordinary mammals would be “ posterior.” % Duvernoy, Archives du Muséum, 1858, t. viii. p. 24. * Duvernoy, loc. cit. > This is especially the case in the variety described as Pithecus morio by Prof. Owen, No. 1179 4 in the Osteological Collection of the British Museum. ° Not so in the type of the variety Morio. 7 Owen, Trans. Zool. Soe. vol. i. p. 364. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. UCT There may or may not be a conspicuous foramen, for a nutritious vessel, towards the middle of the upper part of the infraspinous fossa; and one or two such foramina may exist in the anterior half of the supraspinous fossa, near the base of the spine. This base, or attached border of the spine, sometimes extends forwards rather nearer to the margin of the glenoid surface than it does in Man, and always approaches it more nearly than in the Gorilla, though not more so than, sometimes not so much as, in the Chimpanzee. ‘he antero-external border of the spine is concave, as in Man and Troglodytes, but, as in the latter, is somewhat shorter (apart from the acromion) than in the human scapula. The acromion is flattened in the direction opposite to that of the spine, but is longer and narrower’ than in Man or Zroglodytes ; its surface also is more roughened, and the facet for the clavicle is closer to the extremity of the acromion than in the last-mentioned genera. The degree of curvature of the process, and its prolongation towards a point over the middle of the glenoid surface, vary some- what from individual to individual (Pl. XX XV. figs. 4 & 5). The supraspinous fossa is generally about equally deep at its anterior and posterior ends, the base of the spine (otherwise than in Man or Troglodytes) being nearly parallel to the upper margin of the scapula. Sometimes, however, it is decidedly deeper at its glenoidal end; and rarely the vertebral end very slightly exceeds the rest of the supraspinous fossa in depth. The infraspinous fossa is concayo-conyex, as in Man and Troglodytes, the convexity, however, being sometimes more marked than in the latter genus, and always more extensive than in the Chimpanzee. Simia, however, agrees with Troglodytes in that the ridge of the axillary margin does not expand, as in Man, into a wide flattened surface for the teres major, but, on the contrary, only into a very narrow one. ‘The infraspinous fossa is always, in the Orang, narrower, vertically, than is the supra- spinous one at the glenoidal end of the spine, reversing the conditions which exist in Man. This excess of the supraspinous fossa is greater than in the Gorilla, but rarely, if ever, so great as in the Chimpanzee. The subscapular fossa is not so concave as in Man, on account of the less inflexion inwards of the part of the blade which forms the supraspinous fossa. It is also less concave than in the Chimpanzee, and than in some specimens of the Gorilla. As in Troglodytes, the oblique ridges traversing this fossa are less marked than in Man. The superior border of the scapula is the shortest one, but is longer absolutely, and still more so relatively, than in Man and Troglodytes. It is slightly concave and nearly horizontal, instead of, as in Man and Troglodytes, sloping sharply down to the coracoid process? (Pl. XXXYV. fig. 2). There can scarcely be said to be a trace of the suprascapular notch*®. The vertebral margin is no longer, 1 Owen. Trans. Zool, Soc. vol. i. p. 364. 2 This slope is much more gradual than is generally the case in Man, in the scapula of an Andaman Islander, No. 1 NB, in the British Museum. 3 This notch is almost indistinguishable in the same Andaman Islander, VOL. VI.—PART IY. 2¢ 178 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. as in Man and the Gorilla, the most extended one, nor is it equal to the axillary one, as sometimes in the Chimpanzee; but it is absolutely shorter. The part of it which is superior to the origin of the spine is much shorter, as compared with the part below', than is the case in Man, and very much more so than in Troglodytes, from three-fourths to five-sixths of the vertebral margin being below the origin of the spine. If not straight, this margin is very slightly convex, and scarcely ever? presents a trace of sigmoid curvature, the part at or near to the origin of the spine being sometimes” more prominent than the rest, instead of less so as in 7roglodytes. The axillary margin is unlike that of the higher forms in that it is decidedly convex (Pl. XXXYV. fig. 1) in almost all cases, though in the variety Morio it is more nearly straight (Pl. XX XV. fig. 5). The ridge near the glenoid surface, for the attachment of the triceps, is prominent, and, as in Troglodytes, is continued a longer distance, and bounds externally a much wider groove than is the case in Man. The superior vertebral angle, though very distinctly marked, is much less produced than in Man and Troglodytes; hence the very slight concavity of the upper margin (Pl. XXXV. fig. 2). The inferior vertebral angle is rather more obtuse’ than in the higher forms, 7. e. than in Man and Troglodytes. The glenoid surface is pyriform (Pl. XXXYV. figs. 4 & 54), with the broad end down- wards, as in Troglodytes; it is more elongated in proportion to its breadth than in Man, but it is more concave vertically than in the Chimpanzee or Gorilla. The coracoid process is shorter and thicker than in Man, and is broadest behind’, being very much expanded and flattened at the posterior part of its upper surface. Its inclination towards the glenoid surface is much as in the Chimpanzee, and greater than in Man and the Gorilla, but it agrees with that of these Apes, and differs from Man’s in being directed more downwards and less forwards (Pl. XXXYV. fig. 2). This process is subject to considerable individual variation as to its length® (PI. XXXV. figs. 4 & 5), and as to the presence or absence of a smooth groove in its inner surface’. The coracoid is entirely separate from the rest of the scapula when the first true molar of each jaw has come into use’*. Clavicle. (Plate XXXVII. figs. 1-4.) The clavicle of the Orang is much elongated, and both absolutely longer, and longer as compared with the spine, than in Man or Troglodytes. Indeed in the Orang the ' Archives du Mus. t. viii. p. 24. ? There is a slight sigmoid curvature in the variety Morio. ° E.g. in the specimen No. 55. 12. 26 in the British Museum. “ Scarcely more so in the variety Morio than sometimes in the Gorilla. * Also the case in the variety Morio. In the specimen 3 A in the British Museum it is very short, in 3C, however, it is much longer. Present in both scapule of No. 3C in the British Museum ; also in the Gorilla No. 1011 I. Such is the case in the specimen No, 3 H in the British Museum. sw a MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 179 clavicle decidedly exceeds one-fourth of the length of the spine (as measured from the atlas to the coccygeal end of the sacrum), while in Man and 7voglodytes it always, as far as I have observed, falls short of that proportion. The clavicle of the Orang also more nearly equals the length of the scapula than in the higher forms’. Its curvature is very slight, much less than in Man and the Chimpanzee, and less also than that which often exists in the Gorilla. ‘The sternal curve, convex forwards, is very much more extensive than is the backwardly convex curvature of the outer or acromial part’. The acromial end bends decidedly somewhat downwards. ‘The curvature does not appear to be greater in young than in old individuals’, nor in small adult specimens as compared with larger ones (Pl. XXXVII. figs. 3, 4). The two extremities of the bone are more or less flattened, the sternal articular surface being generally long and narrow, compared with the form it presents in Man and Troglodytes. ‘The long axis of this surface is sometimes nearly parallel with the greatest diameter of the acromial end of the bone. The clavicle of Simia may be described as presenting three surfaces and three margins. Of these, the first or superior and the second or more or less anterior one extend the whole length of the bone; but the third or inferior surface does not reach to the sternal extremity of the clavicle, being replaced by an extension of the second or more or less anterior surface, which here assumes a nearly inferior position. The first or superior surface is smooth and pretty well marked off (along its posterior margin) from the third or inferior surface by a ridge continued inwards from the tubercle for the conoid ligament, but which does not attain the sternal end of the bone, where the first surface is separated behind from the second one by the strong ridge for the rhomboid ligament. It is separated, towards the acromial end of the clavicle, from the second or more or less anterior surface by a very strong and rough ridge (Pl. XXXVIL. figs. 1 & 2d) for the deltoid*; but towards the sternal end of the bone a slight one (for the attachment of the pectoralis major’) serves as the line of demarcation between the first and second surfaces in front. The second, a more or less anterior surface, is wide and concave towards the acromial end of the bone, where it is limited above by the very prominent and rough ridge for the deltoid before mentioned, and below by the anterior boundary of the third or inferior surface; towards the sternal end of the bone this surface becomes rather infe- 1 De Blainville has found it to exceed the scapula in length (Ostéographie, “ Primates: Pithecus,” p. 30). ? Archives du Mus. t. viii. p. 25. 3 As shown in the immature specimen No. 3H, in the osteological collection of the British Museum. 4 Judging from the representation given by Professor G. Sandifort in his treatise on the anatomy of the Orang Outang, in ‘ Verhandelingen over de Natuurlijke Geschiedenis der Nederlandsche overzeesche bezittingen, Leyden, 1840, p. 48, and tab. 3. fig. 2C; also from that of Cuvier in the ‘ Recueil de Planches de Myologie,’ pl. 15. fig. 2x. 5 Mr. W. S. Church describes part of the pectoralis major as arising from the clavicle in the Orang (Nat. Hist. Review, vol. i. p.513). Cuvier also so represents it (Recueil de Planches de Myologie, pl. 15. fig. 27). 2¢c2 180 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. rior in position, and presents a more or less marked and depressed triangular surface (Pl. XXXVII. fig. 3, between p and 7), towards the sternal end of which there is generally a nutrient foramen. This triangular surface is bounded inferiorly and poste- riorly by a more or less marked ridge and roughened tract (Pl. XX XVII. fig. 37), doubtless answering to the rough surface serving for the attachment of the costo-clavicular ligament in Man. Superiorly and anteriorly the surface is bounded by the much more faintly marked ridge already mentioned, which, no doubt, gives origin to the pectoralis major (Pl, XXXVIL fig. 1p). The third, or inferior surface, does not, as has been said, reach the sternal end of the bone, but terminates at a point about an inch and a half from that extremity. The first and second surfaces (which are separated from each other behind and below by the third surface for the outer four-fifths of the bone) come into juxtaposition, behind as well as in front, at the point where this third or inferior surface has its sternal termination. This last-mentioned surface is more or less concave till near the acromial end of the bone, where, in adults, it is very rough. There is a very large tubercle at the posterior margin of this surface (Pl. XX XVII. figs. 2 and 3¢), serving for the attachment of the conoid portion of the coraco-clavicular ligament, immediately in front of which tubercle there is sometimes a very conspicuous nutrient foramen. The line for the trapezoid portion of the same ligament is generally very prominent (Pl. XXXVII. fig. 34); and behind and external to it there is sometimes’ a small, yet marked fossa; but the concavity beneath the acromial end of the bone is never so marked as it often is in Zroglodytes*. The acromial end of the bone is very little expanded in Simia; and in this the Orang presents a marked contrast to the Gorilla; and it also differs from Zroglodytes in the presence of the second or mainly anterior surface, with its strongly marked ridge above, in the great roughness of the inferior surface of the acromial end of the bone, and in its generally elongated sternal extremity. If the Orang be compared with Man, it will be seen that his clavicle would resemble the Orang’s, if it were much straightened, the sternal end compressed, and the front edge, towards the acromial end, widened out into a concave surface surmounted by a prominent ridge, the expansion of the acrumial end restricted, but the tubercle for the conoid ligament considerably enlarged. Humerus. (Plate XXXVL._) This bone is of great size in the Orang, but nevertheless is not, as in Man and T’roglo- dytes, the longest bone of the arm, being always exceeded in length by the ulna, and sometimes by the radius also. As in the Gorilla, it exceeds three-fifths the length of the spine measured from the 1 E£.g.in Nos. 3 A and 3C in the British Museum. ? See skeleton of a Gorilla, No. 1011 I, in the British Museum. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 181 atlas to the lower end of the sacrum—a proportion decidedly exceeding that existing in the Chimpanzee, and greatly so that found in Man. It is nearly twice the length of the scapula, which is less than in Man, though more than in Troglodytes. The humerus of the Orang is not so straight as that of Man, the Gorilla, or Chim- panzee, but is more bent concave forwards, and sometimes’ very much so (Pl. XXXVI. fig. 3). It is also more inclined ulnad at its lower end, the inner margin of the bone being decidedly concave (Pl. XXXVI. fig. 2). As in Man and T'roglodytes, the shaft may be described as consisting of three surfaces; but these are not well defined, the lowest fifth of the anterior surface not being so sharply prominent as in Homo. ‘Thus the shaft is not so decidedly triangular at its lower part as in Man, neither is it so compressed laterally towards its middle as is generally the case in him, the Orang in both these respects agreeing more with T'roglodytes. The ridges proceeding upwards from the condyles are more marked than in Man or Troglodytes, especially the external one (or supinator ridge), which extends rather more than one-third up the shaft, and is sometimes limited above by a marked musculo-spiral groove. The ridge from the internal condyle extends about halfway up the shaft. The posterior surface of the humerus is convex above, much as in Man, not flattened as in the Gorilla. Below, it is flat, as in the superior forms; it is not, however, turned so much outward as in them, but looks backwards, indeed almost equally with the upper part of the posterior surface (Pl. XXXVI. fig. 2). The bicipital groove is sometimes more marked than in Man, and more sharply limited on each side at its upper part, though less so there than in Troglodytes. Lower down it is often more marked than in that genus, or than is generally the case in Man. The surface probably serving for the insertion of the coraco-brachialis is extraordinarily rugose, more so than it ever is, as far as I have observed, in Man, and sometimes more so than in the Gorilla, much more so also than in the Chimpanzee ; the rough- ness sometimes extends so far downwards as to join the ridge extending upwards from the internal condyle (Pl. XXXVI. fig. 4c). Near the surface for the coraco-brachialis, and a little below or a little above the middle of the bone, is the medullary foramen opening distad, as in Man. The surface for the deltoid is not so much raised as is generally the case in Man; and below it is the more or less distinct oblique depression marking the course of the musculo-spiral nerve and artery (PI. XXXVI. figs. 1 & 2 8). The head of the humerus is very large’ and rounded, its greatest diameter decidedly 1 As in both the humeri of No. 3B in the British Museum. 2 Professor Owen says, “it is larger in Simia satyrus than in man, its extent equalling a complete hemi- sphere ” (Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. i. p. 364). De Blainville remarks, “sa téte articulaire est surtout singuliére par son énormité, son diamétre étant bien supérieur 4 celui de la téte du fémur” (Ostéographie, “ Primates : Pithecus,” p. 30), 182 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. exceeding the breadth of the two tuberosities, in which respect Simia differs from both Man and Troglodytes (Pl. XXXVI. figs. 5 & 6). The posterior projection of the head is greater than in Man and the Gorilla, the bone immediately below the posterior part of the margin of the articular surface being more concave (Pl. XXXVI. fig. 4). The anatomical neck is more marked than in the higher forms, especially than in Man, and the head rises more above the summit of the radial (greater) tuberosity. The angle formed by the groove separating the last-named tuberosity from the head, with a line connecting the two condyles, is in general much more acute than in Man and Troglodytes. There is nevertheless considerable individual variation, the angle bemg sometimes as near a right angle as in the Gorilla (Pl. XXXVI. fig. 5), while in other instances (Pl. XXXVI. fig. 6) it is only about 34°; yet, in all the specimens of Simia which I have examined, the head looks more directly backwards and less inwards than in Man and Troglodytes. The radial tuberosity in the Orang is less prominent than in the Gorilla, and but little more so than in Man, though the surface for the teres minor is more sharply ‘defined than in the higher forms (Pl. XXXVI. fig. 3). The surface for the infra- spinatus looks more outwards and less upwards than in Man (Pl. XXXVL. fig. 3). The ulnar, a smaller tuberosity, has its upper part next the bicipital groove less prominent than in Man or Troglodytes. Sometimes its lower part is more prominent than its upper portion. ‘This tuberosity is more nearly approached by the margin of the articular surface of the head than in the higher forms; so that there is a small deep pit (Pl. XXXVI. fig. 4) between them, instead of a rather wide and slightly concave surface. When the humerus is vertical, and its anterior surface opposite the observer, the ulnar tuberosity generally hides part of the lower margin of the neck of the bone, in which respect Simia resembles Troglodytes and differs from Man'. As in higher forms, no part of the head of the humerus is so hidden in the Orang. ; At the lower end of the bone the ulnar, or inner, condyle is not so prominent as in Man or Troglodytes, nor does it extend so much downwards as in Man and the Chim- panzee, but appears as if it had been truncated obliquely from below upwards and ulnad, though this appearance is not so marked as in the Gorilla, on account of the less prominence of the condyle in the Orang. As in Troglodytes, there is not that concavity on its posterior surface which is more or less marked in Man. The external, or radial, condyle is much as in Man and the Chimpanzee, and its most prominent point is situated lower down than in the Gorilla. The inferior articular surface of the humerus is almost quite as in Man, except that its innermost part generally descends less below the rest of the surface than in him or the Chimpanzee, though more so than sometimes is the case in the Gorilla. ' Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. y. p. 4, pl. 3. figs. 1, 5, 8. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 183 Whether, however, it descends more or less than in the Gorilla, it always differs from Man and agrees with Zroglodytes in that the inner margin of the anterior surface of the trochlea (below the ulnar condyle) is vertical, and not inclined ulnad at its lower end as in //omo'. As in Man and the Chimpanzee, the surface above the capitellum, in front, is less concave than in the Gorilla. The surface above the trochlea is almost always perforated’. The olecranal fossa is bounded on its radial side by a more marked and extended ridge than exists in Man and sometimes in the Gorilla (Pl. XXXVI. fig. 2). This ridge is the continuation upwards and backwards of that part of the articular surface which projects between the radius and the ulna. Radius. (Plate XXXVII. figs. 5-8.) The radius is very elongated and sometimes slightly exceeds the humerus in length, in which respect, as has been already said in describing the last-named bone, the Orang differs from Man and Troglodytes. Its length as compared with that of the spine, measured as before, is much greater than in Troglodytes, being slightly upwards of three-fifths of that of the latter, instead of but little more or less than one-half. Of course the Orang differs much more still from Man in this respect. The radius is always very nearly as much as, if not a little more than, twice the length of the scapula—a proportion not attained in the higher forms. The shaft of the bone is considerably curved*, with the concavity ulnad; but though much more so than in Man, the curvature is somewhat less than that which appears generally to exist in the Gorilla. The radius of the Orang is so rounded a bone that it can no longer be said to have the three surfaces and three margins existing in that of Man. The anterior face, however, is pretty well defined and expands distally ; the surface for the flexor longus pollicis, however, is very slightly marked, much less so than in Troglodytes, while it presents nothing like the concavity whence that muscle takes its origin in Man. The foramen for the nutrient vessels is situated towards the lower end of the upper third of the bone, and rather on the radial side of the anterior surface, instead of on its ulnar side as in Man and Troglodytes. It is, however, directed proximad, as in the higher forms just mentioned (Pl. XX XVII. fig. 5). The lower end of the anterior surface is more concave transversely than in Man, 1 See Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. v. pl. 3. figs. 1, 5, 8. 2 Tt is imperforate in both humeri of No. 31 and in those of No. 3H 50. 8. 15. 1 in the British Museum. 3 W. Vrolik remarks “Tl me parait que cette courbure est un produit de lage”? (Recherches d’Anat. Comp. sur le Chimpansé, p. 13). 184 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. though the concavity which is in him produced by the projection forwards of the distal margin of the bone is wanting, that margin in the Orang, as also in Troglodytes, not being similarly prominent. The posterior surface presents but a very slight flatness for the origin of the extensors of the pollex; and sometimes, indeed, there is no flattening perceptible. The external surface, which generally in Simia passes insensibly into the posterior one, presents a rough tract and a slight excavation for the supinator teres, extending downwards nearly to the middle of the bone. Of the three margins which exist in Man, the posterior one is, in the Orang, never more than faintly marked, and that only towards the middle of the bone. The external margin of the radius of Man may be said to have disappeared altogether in the Orang; but the internal margin, for the interosseous ligament, is distinctly marked, though it is never nearly so sharply projecting as in him and the Chimpanzee, and scarcely so much so as in the Gorilla. The bicipital tuberosity is much less prominent than in Man; but its surface is more excavated, and, as in Troglodytes, is much more ulnad in position (Pl. XX XVIL fig. 6). The bone is not so contracted at its neck as in Man and the Chimpanzee, and the rim or margin’ of the head is not so sharply marked inferiorly as in them, the Orang in these points resembling the Gorilla. The proximal articular surface of the head is less concave than in the human radius. A little above the styloid process there is a very prominent and rough surface (Pl. XXXVII. fig. 5 a) for the insertion of the supinator longus. The styloid process itself is not so pointed as in Man and Troglodytes (Pl. XX XVII. fig. 5 /f). The grooves for the extensor tendons are quite similar to those of Man, except that they are sometimes more marked than in him; and this is even the case with the groove for the extensor secundi internodii pollicis and that for the extensor ossis metacarpt pollicis (Pl. XX XVII. figs. 6 & 7). ‘The articular surface for the reception of the ulna looks more backwards than in Man, especially when the ulnar angle of the anterior side of the distal end of the bone is much produced forward and ulnad, as is sometimes the case (Pl. XX XVII. fig. 69). The carpal surface at the inferior end of the bone has the internal quadrate surface for the semilunare larger, in comparison with the triangular one for the scaphoides, than is the case in Man (Pl. XX XVII. fig. 8). Ulna, (Plate XXXVIIL.) This bone, which, unlike the radius, seems in the Orang to be constantly longer than the humerus, bears much the same proportion to the ulna of Man and Troglodytes that the radius of the Orang bears to the radius of those forms. When its anterior (flexor) surface is opposite the observer (Pl. XX XVIII fig. 1), ? Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. yol. v. p. 7. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 185 the shaft may be seen to have a sigmoid curvature, which is convex ulnad below, above concave. This curvature is more marked than is generally the case in Man, or than sometimes in the Gorilla; it is less so, however, than in the Chimpanzee. When the bone is viewed laterally (Pl. XXXVIIL figs. 2 & 4), the shaft is seen to present a curve, convex backwards, which is slightly more marked than in Man, but not quite so much so as in Tyoglodytes. The body, or shaft, of the ulna is more rounded than in Man or Troglodytes, and can hardly be said to present the three surfaces and margins usually described as existing in the human ulna, the parts which correspond to the anterior and posterior margins of Man being so ill defined. The ulna tapers distally, but, on account of the length of the bone, more gradually than in the higher forms. The anterior surface of the shaft has a more or less flattened, and even sometimes deci- dedly concave (Pl. XX XVIII. fig. 1) surface for the flexor profundus digitorum; and the nutrient foramen, much more conspicuous than in Man or Troglodytes, is more or less remote from the radial margin of the bone, and rather below the uppermost third of its total length (Pl. XX XVIII. fig. 14). As in the higher forms, its direction is proximad. The internal surface of the shaft is smooth, but more convex than in Man and Troglodytes, except at its summit, where the concavity is more extensive than in them, reaching as it does somewhat more nearly to the superior limit of the olecranon (Pl. XX XVIIL. fig. 2). The posterior, or radial, surface of the shaft is less strongly divided into two parts than in Man and the Gorilla, though the lower and much larger one (serving to give origin to the extensors of the pollex and index) is generally as flat as in Man, and more so than in Zroglodytes; very rarely it is strongly concave. An anterior margin can sometimes hardly be distinguished, and never extends, as in Man, from the coronoid process to the lower extremity of the ulna. Sometimes, how- ever, it can be traced from that process down to somewhat below the level of the medullary foramen. Similarly the posterior margin of the human ulna (which extends from the olecranon to the styloid process, and gives attachment to an aponeurosis com- mon to the flexor profundus digitorum, the flexor carpi ulnaris, and the extensor carpi ulnaris) is in the Orang represented by a prominence which ceases to be distinguishable at about the middle of the ulna. The external or radial margin begins above at the posterior margin of the lesser sigmoid cavity, and extends rather more than two-thirds down the bone. It is not so sharp as in man and the Chimpanzee, but it is more so than in the Gorilla. The sharp- ness, however, generally only extends along about the middle third of the bone, which at that part is considerably roughened for a greater or less extent close to the radial border (Pl. XX XVIII. fig. 1a). Very rarely, however, the radial margin is enormously produced, In the Orang, unlike the higher forms, the upper part of this margin does 1 As in the specimen in the Collection of the British Museum, which bears the No. 32, from the MS. catalogue of the Zoological Society’s Collection. VOL. VI.—PART IY. 2D 186 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. not bound anteriorly the surface for the anconeus, but is separated from that surface by a flattened tract of bone interposed (Pl. XX XVIII. fig. 4) between it and the ridge which does so limit the anconeal surface. The olecranon process is small and scarcely broader relatively than in Man, and, as in him, it does not project so much ulnad as it does in Troglodytes. Itis not in any way so prominent as in that genus, being even less so than in Man (Pl. XXXVIIL. figs. 2 & 6). The greater sigmoid cavity (Pl. XX XVIII. fig. 1 7) is formed nearly as in Man, except that it is broader in proportion to its length than in him, or indeed than in Troglodytes. The lesser sigmoid cavity is less extended from above downwards, and more from behind forwards, than in the Gorilla, thus resembling more the form it presents in Man and the Chimpanzee. The coronoid process is broader both absolutely and in proportion to its projection forward than in the two last-named forms, and it is also relatively broader than it is sometimes in the Gorilla. The tubercle for the flewor sublimis digitorum is, as in the Gorilla’, well developed. The fossa for the brachialis anticus is very marked and deeper than in Man or the Chimpanzee, or than is sometimes the case in the Gorilla (Pl. XX XVIII. fig. 1c). The fossa for the anconeus is much smaller relatively than in Man, and is less defined anteriorly by the ridge running downwards and backwards from the hinder end of the lesser sigmoid cavity, that ridge being (as also in the Chimpanzee, but not in the Gorilla) much less marked than in Man. On the other hand the posterior margin of the anconeal fossa is much more sharply defined than in the higher forms (Pl. XX XVIII. fig. 4f). As in the Chimpanzee, but not in the Gorilla, the surface for the supinator brevis is much less concave than in Man, and, indeed, is but slightly marked. In Man and Troglodytes this surface for the supinator brevis is contiguous for almost its whole extent with that for the anconeus, the surface for the extensor ossis metacarpt pollicis only slightly intervening between them inferiorly. In the Orang, however, a wide flattened tract of bone (serving most probably to give origin in part to the extensors of the pollex) extends up almost to the lesser sigmoid cavity (Pl. XX XVIII. fig. 4). This tract is bounded in front by the upper end of the external or radial margin of the ulna; posteriorly it is limited by the ridge running downwards and backwards from the last-named surface (Pl. XX XVIII. fig. 4¢) and bounding anteriorly the surface for the anconeus. At the lower end of the ulna on the inner side of its anterior face is a ridge serving to give attachment to the pronator quadratus’ (Pl. XXXVIII. figs. 1 & 22). It is much more marked than in the higher forms. As in Troglodytes, the distal articular surface of the shaft of the ulna is relatively ’ See Owen, Trans. Zool. Soe. vol. y. p. 8. ° Noticed by Professor Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. i. p. 364. He refers to Webster and Treadwell’s « Boston Journal of Philosophy,’ vol. ii. p. 570, and the ‘ Philosophical Magazine,’ vol. lxviii. p. 186, 1826. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 187 more transversely extended than in Man and is more reniform'; the concavity also between it and the styloid process is deeper (Pl. XX XVIII. figs. 5 & 6). This last- mentioned process appears to vary much as to size, from individual to individual (Pl. XX XVIII. figs. 2 & 6s); but it is never so long, compared with the total length of the ulna, as in Man and the Chimpanzee’. The groove for the tendon of the extensor carpi ulnaris is generally very little marked, and less so than is the case in Man or the Gorilla, so far as I have been able to observe. Manus. (Plate XLII.) This segment of the skeleton attains, in the Orang, a greater absolute length than it does in Man or TJroglodytes. Its proportion to the spine (measured as before) is also greater; but those borne by it to the rest of the pectoral limb and to the radius are less in the Orang than I have found them to be in the Chimpanzee, though greater than in Man or in the Gorilla. In its slenderness the manus of the Orang more resembles that of the Chimpanzee than that of the Gorilla or of Homo. Carpus. This segment differs very importantly from that of the higher forms, in that, as is well known, there is a separate and distinct ninth carpal bone’, the os intermedium. The proximal row of carpal bones forms a double arch, as in Man and Troglodytes. The vertical arch (with its convexity proximad) is rather more acute than in Man; but the os pisiforme being small, its outline is not interrupted by that bone, as it is in Troglodytes, and so far it resembles more the homologous arch of the human hand than does the vertical carpal arch of the last-named genus (Pl. XLII. fig. 1). As in the higher forms, the carpus in the Orang articulates directly with the radius only. Scaphoides. (Plate XLII. figs. 2, 3, 4.) This bone is very much narrower antero-posteriorly (from dorsum to palm), and relatively much more transyersely extended, than in Man, and there is no transverse dorsal groove; so that the scaphoid of the Orang has very much the appearance that that of Man would have, if the part anterior to (or on the distal side of) his dorsal groove were cut away. Indeed the whole scaphoid of the Orang appears to answer to only the upper or proximal part of the human scaphoid* and of that of Troglodytes. It 1 Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. v. p. 7. 2 In a mounted specimen of the Gorilla in the British Museum, this process is very short indeed. 3 Pointed out by W. Vrolik, Recherches d’Ant. Comp. sur le Chimpansé, p. 13; and Todd’s Cyclopedia, vol. iv. p. 203. 4 See De Blainville, Ostéographie, “ Primates: Pithecus,” p. 16 ; Professor G. M. Humphry, Limbs of Verte- brates, 1860, p. 4; Professor Huxley, Hunterian Lectures, Medical Times, 1864, vol. i. p. 565; and Dr. Lucae, Abhandlungen yon der Senckenbergischen naturforschenden Gesellschaft, 1865, vol. v. p. 311. The 2D2 188 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. does not articulate with the trapezoides and os magnum, being separated from them by the os intermedium. The proximal or superior side of the scaphoides articulates with the radius by a large rounded surface, which is decidedly less convex than the corresponding one of Man, or than that of the Gorilla, and is much like that of the Chimpanzee (Pl. XLII. fig. 2 a). It is less quadrate than in the Gorilla, and less transversely elongated than in Man. The radial tuberosity (Pl. XLII. figs. 2-4, 6) appears much produced, because of the narrowness of the bone. It is not, however, really very much more so than in Man, and is not so much so as in Troglodytes. There is a deeper concavity between the tuberosity and the radial articular surface than in Man. The distal, or inferior, side of the bone presents a strong concavity divided by a transverse prominence into two articular surfaces. The smaller and more proximal of these (Pl. XLIT. fig. 3c) joins the semilunare, and, as in Zroglodytes, is larger than the corresponding surface of Man. ‘The one nearer the palmar (or more distal) surface is more concave, and articulates with the ulnar end of the os intermedium. Palmad and radiad of this is a small irregular surface, with several vascular foramina; and radiad, again, of this last surface is another smaller articular one (Pl. XLII. figs. 3 & 4, e) for the radial side of the third or proximal face of the intermedium. External again to this (7. é. on its radial side), and on the inferior aspect of the base of the tuberosity, is a small surface (Pl. XLII. fig. 4) which joins the trapezium. On the upper part of the bone, towards its ulnar side and between the surfaces for the radius and semilunare, is a small irregular tract of bone with vascular forarnina. The interspace on the dorsal surface of the carpus, between the scaphoides and intermedium, answers to the dorsal groove of the scaphoid of Man and Troglodytes. Intermedium. (Plate XLII. figs. 5, 6.) The intermedium is a slightly crescentic bone, but not very dissimilar in shape to the cuneiforme, which about equals it in size; its extension, however, is mainly in the transverse direction. It may be described as having three surfaces and three borders. The first of these surfaces (Pl. XLII. fig. 5), and the one which looks backwards, downwards, and more or less radiad, consists for the most part of a transversely extended and slightly convex articular surface for the trapezoides. ‘The ulnar end, however, pre- sents a rough tract for the attachment of ligaments. The second surface, which looks palmad, downwards, and ulnad (Pl. XLII. fig. 6), is concave, and articulates with the rounded head of the os magnum. The third surface, the one which looks upwards and rather ulnad, is convex, and skeleton No. 5083 A, in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, almost demonstrates this homology, as in that Chimpanzee the scaphoid has a development almost exactly corresponding to that of the scaphoid, plus the intermedium, of the Orang. See Philosophical Transactions, vol. clvii. (1867) plate xiv. fig. 1. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 189 unites with the distal concavity of the scaphoides by a transverse articular surface, more or less interrupted towards its middle by a rough non-articular part. The margin which separates the first and third of these surfaces has its middle portion produced into a more or less pointed process, projecting, proximad, over the groove which divides the bone from the scaphoides (Pl. XLII. fig. 5). The radial end of the intermedium is obtusely pointed (Pl. XLII. figs. 5 & 6, d), but its ulnar end is truncated (Pl. XLII. figs. 5 & 6,c) and presents a small articular surface, more or less concave, which joins the semilunare. The angle at the junction of the distal end of this small surface with the ulnar end of the border separating the first and second of the before described surfaces, projects somewhat over the radial border of the dorsum of the os magnum. Semilunare. (Plate XLII. figs. 7-9.) This is very large in the Orang, and much larger, as compared with the scaphoides, than in either Man or Troglodytes. It is of about the same size as the semilunare of the Gorilla, and has very nearly the same shape. As compared with that of Man it is especially elongated from above downwards, and its proximal surface is more strongly convex from behind forwards, ¢. ¢. from dorsum to palm. The surface for the cuneiforme (Pl. XLII. fig. 8 ¢) differs from the same surface in Man and Troglodytes, in that it is decidedly concave. The dorsum of the bone is narrower transversely than in Man or the Gorilla; and the concave surface for the magnum passes insensibly into that for the cuneiforme, though between the two is a very small part which joins the unciforme. Cuneiforme. (Plate XLII. figs. 10 & 11.) This bone is much elongated as compared with its homologue in Man and Troglodytes. It is of about the same size as the intermedium, and, as has been before said, it is of somewhat similar shape. It is, however, extended rather from above downwards than transversely, and its large articular surface is concavo-convex, instead of concave only, as in the intermedium. It differs from the cuneiforme of both Man and Troglodytes in the convexity of the surface for the semilunare, and in the distance between the facet for the pisiforme and the proximal end of the bone. The rough portion for ligaments of the anterior surface is continued as a wide and roughened groove (Pl. XLII. fig. 11 ¢), separating the articular surfaces for the unci- forme and pisiforme. That for the last-named bone is smaller, absolutely as well as relatively, than in any of the higher forms. The smooth surface for the fibro-cartilage of the wrist joint (Pl. XLII. fig. 10¢) is more elongated than in Man or Troglodytes ; but, as in the latter genus’, the tubercle for the internal lateral ligament of the wrist is 1 Trans, Zool. Soc, yol. v. p. 10. 190 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. small and less marked than in Man. The surface which joins the unciforme (Pl. XLII. fig. 11 a) is strongly concavo-convex, and thus differs much from that in Man, and more resembles the corresponding surface in Troglodytes. Pisiforme. (Plate XLII. figs. 12-14.) The pisiforme of the Orang is much smaller, both absolutely and relatively, than that of the Gorilla, and rather so than that of the Chimpanzee. It is always shorter than in the last-named form, but yet, sometimes at least, differs from the pisiforme of Man in being rather longer than broad. Its palmar surface (Pl. XLII. fig. 13) is slightly concave, and the bone projects downwards and ulnad near the unciforme process. Trapezium. (Plate XLII. figs. 15-20.) A striking difference exists between this bone in the Orang and the homologous one of the Gorilla, inasmuch as the two large tuberous processes which exist in the latter form! are here wanting. It differs in the same way, though to a less degree, from the Chimpanzee’s; and even as compared with Man’s, the tubercle and groove of its palmar aspect are somewhat less marked (Pl. XLII. fig. 17). The saddle-shaped surface for the metacarpal of the pollex is always (as also in Troglodytes) much inferior in relative size to that of Man; indeed, even in absolute size, it is much inferior to his. ‘There seems, however, to be considerable variation as to the development of this part, as sometimes (Pl. XLII. figs. 15 & 17, a) there is a very distinct, though smali, saddle (the surface being strongly concavo-convex), while in other instances (Pl. XLII. figs. 16 & 18, a) both concavity and convexity are very slight. This variation is not confined to the Orang, but exists also in Troglodytes’. The surface for articulation with the metacarpal of the index (Pl. XLII. fig. 174) is generally very close to that for the metacarpal of the pollex—a circumstance in which the Orang differs from Troglodytes, and resembles Man. ‘The surface for the index looks more palmad than in Man or Troglodytes, but, as in them, it is continuous with the articular surfaces for the trapezoides and scaphoides. ‘The distal pair of these three surfaces form a more marked angle with each other than in Man and Troglodytes; while the proximal pair (for trapezoides and scaphoides) generally meet together at a rather more open angle than in those genera. A sesamoid* bone is interposed between the trapezium and the scaphoides on the radial side of those bones. ' Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. v. p. LO. 2 The saddle is unusually little marked in the skeleton of a Gorilla, No. 5779 A, in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons; and in the detached and articulated manus of a Chimpanzee, No. 744, in the same collec- tion, it is absolutely wanting. Professor Huxley has noticed the absence of a saddle-shaped surface in this species. See ‘ Medical Times,’ 1864, vol. i. p. 428. 3 Figured by Prof. Vrolik in Todd’s Cyclopxdia of Anat. and Phys. vol. iv. p. 204, fig. 1247. Mr. W. H. Flower also informs me he observed its existence in the wrist of an adult male Orang in the Leyden Museum. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 191 \ Trapezoides. (Plate XLII. figs. 21-23.) As in Troglodytes, the relative extent of this bone from the dorsum of the manus to the palm is very much less in Sima than in Man. The two articular surfaces for the metacarpal of the index are of very unequal size—that on the ulnar side being very greatly in excess (Pl. XLII. fig. 22a). The articular facet for the magnum is exceed- ingly small, and confined to the dorsal part of the ulnar side of the bone. That for the intermedium has its greatest diameter transversely extended, instead of from behind forwards (7. ¢. from dorsum to palm), as has the corresponding surface for the scaphoides in Man (PL XLII. fig. 23d). The surface for the trapezium is concave. The proximal radial angle is a little produced, but not so much as is the case in Man. Magnum. (Plate XLII. figs. 24-28.) The distal part of this bone is much more transversely extended, as compared with the proximal part, than is the case in Man and Zroglodytes; also there isa more marked lateral constriction below the head. As in the Gorilla’, the antero-posterior (from dorsum to palm) extent of the distal surface is much greater than in Man; and, again, as in the Gorilla” and also in the Chimpanzee, the radial side of the distal articular surface is strongly notched (Pl. XLII. fig. 28a). On the ulnar side of the same surface is a similar notch, which is much more marked than either in Man or Troglodytes (Pl. XLII. fig. 284). Indeed this distal articular surface has more the shape of the letter T than it has in the higher forms; but it resembles that of Troglodytes in being more concave towards its palmar margin than is the casein Man. ‘The head of the bone, as also in Troglodytes, has a more radiad aspect than in Man; it articulates above with the mtermedium and semilunare. As is the case in the higher forms, there is a small articular surface for the metacarpal of the index, towards the palmar border of the distal end of the radial face of the bone (Pl. XLII. fig. 26c). The surface for the unciforme is, as in Zroglodytes, more concave from above downwards than is the case in the human magnum. Unciforme. (Plate XLII. figs. 29-33.) This bone resembles its homologue in 7roglodytes, and differs from that of Man in the large size and more downward production of the palmar process, also in the more acute angle formed by the surface for the magnum with that for the cuneiforme, and in the greater relative extent of the distal surface from before backwards (from the dorsum to the palm). It differs from that of the Gorilla, as well as from that of Man, in the greater length from above downwards and the less relative transverse extent of the articular surface for the cuneiforme (Pl. XLII. fig. 32 ¢). 1 Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. v. p. 10. > Loe. cit. 192 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. Metacarpus. The length of this segment of the limb (estimated by the third metacarpal), compared with that of the spine, is greater than in any higher species, namely about 18-2 to 100. The relative length of the same metacarpal, as compared with that of the entire manus, is very much the same as in 7’roglodytes, namely about 39 to 100, and greater than in Man, in whom I have found it to be about 34°6 to 100. The four outer Metacarpals. As in the higher forms, these metacarpals in the Orang are thicker at each end than in the shaft; the distal extremities are wider than the proximal ends (though not so much so as in the Gorilla), and the shafts slightly broader distally. The heads have their antero-posterior diameter (from dorsum to palm) about equal to their transverse dimensions. The shafts are much elongated; and these metacarpals in the Orang are like the Chimpanzee’s, and are more slender than those of the Gorilla or of Man. ‘The shafts are also more rounded than in the higher forms, the dorsal flattening being less marked, while there are only faint traces (Pl. XLII. figs. 38 & 42) of those palmar tuberosities and ridges at the divergence of the interossei which are so marked in 7’roglodytes, espe- cially in the Gorilla’. The processes on each side of the proximal ends of the palmar surfaces of the heads are much less marked than in any higher forms, especially than in Troglodytes. 'The fossee on the sides of the heads are also less marked than in that genus. ‘These metacarpals increase, not only in length but also in projection distad, from the fifth to the second successively. First Metacarpal. (Plate XLII. figs. 35 & 36.) This metacarpal presents a saddle-shaped surface for the trapezium, very like that of Man. The proximal prominence on the palmar side is less enlarged than in Troglodytes? ; and the whole bone is more bent, with the concavity palmad, than in the higher forms. The shaft is sometimes slightly as it were twisted on its long axis. Second Metacarpal. (Plate XLII. figs. 57-40.) The shaft of this metacarpal is also somewhat twisted, and it is concave radiad. Its proximal end, like that of the same bone in the Gorilla, does not, as in Man and the Chimpanzee, bifurcate for the reception of the trapezoides ; and its proximal surface is therefore less concave transversely. As in Zroglodytes, the tubercle for the flexor carpi radialis (P|. XLII. fig. 38-40, a) is stronger than in Man, but that for the extensor carpi radialis longior is not more marked than in him. Between these tubercles there is a deep groove (in which vascular foramina open), which is continued between the lower facet for the third metacarpal and the articular surface for the trapezoides. The ulnar * Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. v. p. 11. 2 Owen, loc. cit. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 193 lateral facets are, as in Troglodytes, divided by a deep groove; and, as in all the higher forms, the ulnar angle of the proxinal end of the palmar part is strongly inclined ulnad. Sometimes (Pl. XLII, fig. 34 11.) the proximal articular surface has a crescentic form, with the concayity of the crescent towards the dorstum. ” Third Metacarpal. (Plate XLII. figs. 41-44:) As in Troglodytes, so also in Simia, the proximal radial angle of the dorsum is less produced than in Man (Pl. XLII. figs. 41-43 c). Owing to this, the dorsal part of the proximal articular surface is less concave than ‘in him, but the palmar part of that surface is more extensively convex. The Orang agrees with Man and the Chimpanzee, and, as far as I have. observed, differs from the Gorilla, in having two facets on each side of this metacarpal, for articulation with the contiguous one (Pl. XLII. figs. 43 & 44). ‘The proximal articular surface (Pl. XLIL fig. 34 m1.) somewhat appwadkes the form of the letter 'T, Fourth Metacarpal. (Plate XLII. figs, 45-48, ) The proximal end of this metacarpal is narrower transversely than’ in. Troglodytes or Homo. The dorsal part of the proximal surface is more concave than in Man, though scarcely so much so as in Zroglodytes. The palmar part of the same surface is much more convex, and is longer, from dorsum to palm, than in Tvoglodytes, and still more so than in Man. There are two articular surfaces for the third metacarpal, and the single one for the fifth metacarpal is larger than in any above (Pl. XLIL figs. 47 & 48). Fifth Metacarpal. (Plate XLII. figs. 49-01.) This metacarpal differs from the corresponding one in Man and Troglodytes in that its proximal surface is longer (from dorsum to palm), and is moré convex, and at the same time less concave than in them (PI. XLII. figs. 54 v. & 51). Digits. 7. The proximal phalanges of the four outer digits of the manus are much curved, with the coneayity palmad (more so than in Man or ast yee though not so much so as are the homotypal segments of the pes. They are also very broad, and have projecting lateral ridges (Pl. XLII. fig. 1), which are more developed than in Man, though not so much so as in T’roglodytes’. The proximal phalanx of the pollex is more slender than in higher forms, and thus differs notably from its homologue in the Gorilla. The several second and third phalanges are formed nearly as are their homologues in the Chimpanzee; the second phalanges, however, are somewhat less conical. The distal ones, like those of Troglo- dytes, are more attenuated than those in the human manus, The proportion borne by 1 Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. i. p. 365. VOL. VI.—PART IY. 25 194 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. the first phalanx of the third digit to the length of the entire manus is greater than in Man or the Troglodytes. The pollex, with its metacarpal, as compared with the spine, is longer in the Orang than in Man or Troglodytes; compared with the length of the manus it is, as in the last- named genus, much shorter than in Man. The proximal phalanx of the pollex is more slender than in Troglodytes or Homo, notably so as compared with that of the Gorilla. The index, with its metacarpal, as compared with the spine, is longer than in the higher forms, as also in the third digit. Without their metacarpals these digits, when compared with the length of the manus, are scarcely longer proportionally than in the Chimpanzee, and but little more so than in Man or the Gorilla. The difference between the length of the index and that of the pollex is greater than in the higher genera’. The fifth digit is the shortest, not counting the pollex ; the second may or may not be somewhat longer than the fourth ; and the third is the longest (Pl. XLII. fig. 1). The order of projection is similar to that of length. As in Troglodytes, the proportion, in the Orang, borne by the longest digit (without its metacarpal) to the longest metacarpal is less than in man, though it is somewhat greater than in the Gorilla. The pollex does not reach to the distal end of the metacarpal of the index, but falls short by about one-eighth of the length of that metacarpal; it is therefore decidedly shorter, thus compared, than in the Chimpanzee, and still more so than in the Gorilla: and thus in this respect the Orang differs very widely from Man’. Os innominatum. (Plate XX XIX.) This complex bone consists, as in the higher forms, of the ilium, ischium, and pubis anchylosed together. The ilium is wide, but less so in proportion to its height than in the Gorilla, and very much less so than in Man, being in fact much as in the Chimpanzee, though perhaps on the whole somewhat broader’. The external surface (P]. XX XIX. fig. 1) is convex anteriorly, concave posteriorly ; but. generally the concavity is very much more marked and extensive than is the convexity, in which the Orang agrees with Troglodytes—as also in the depth of the concavity, which is much greater than in Man. The curved lines found on the human ilium are not to be distinguished in Simia any more than in Zroglodytes; and the bone is somewhat less developed posteriorly than in that genus. ‘ Lueae, loc. cit. p. 308, * As often before remarked or represented, Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. i. p. 365; De Blainville, « Ostéo- graphie,’ Primates, Pithecus, p. 30; Huxley, ‘Medical Times,’ 1864, vol. i. p. 565; and Huxley & Hawkins, ‘Atlas of Comparative Osteology,’ plate x. fig. 3. Also Duyernoy, ‘Archives du Mus.’ vol. viii. p. 27; and Lueae, loc. cit, p. 305. * As mentioned by Professor Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. i. p. 363, and by Professor Huxley, ‘ Medical Times,’ 1864, yol. i. p. 565. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 195 The internal surface (Pl. XXXIX. fig. 2) looks forwards, but not inwards, thus agreeing with the Chimpanzee, and differing from Man and the Gorilla. ‘The part of the internal surface which is above the ilio-pectineal line is flat, or with only a very slight concavity’; this is sometimes supplemented, however (Pl. XX XIX. fig. 4), by an inflection of the anterior superior angle of the ilium. The “auricular” surface is more elongated in proportion to its breadth than in Man, in which respect it resembles Troglodytes (P\. XX XIX. fig. 2m). That part cf the internal surface which is beneath the ilio-pectineal line is more convex than in Man and the Gorilla, the ilio-pectineal line itself not bemg so prominent as in these forms. This part of the inner surface (Pl. XXXIX. fig. 3) is also more elongated than in Man. The crest of the ilium sometimes describes a decided sigmoid curve (Pl. XXXIX. fig. 5), though this is always much less marked than in Man, and is occasionally absent, namely, when the anterior end of the summit of the ilium is not at all inflected. In Man the crest is enlarged somewhat behind its anterior end, and more or less immediately over the acetabulum. In the Orang (as in 7roglodytes) no such widening takes place; but on the other hand, there is sometimes at the anterior end of the crest (Pl. XX XIX. fig. 4 & 5a) avery marked enlargement, which may answer to the one above-mentioned of Man; and if so, we may imagine that part of the ilium which in Man is anterior to it, to be altogether absent in the Orang. As in the higher forms, so also in Simia, the crest is always enlarged at its posterior end; but the crest, as a whole, is (as in Troglodytes) narrower in proportion to its length than in Man. The vertical curvature (as in the Chimpanzee) is much less than in Man or the Gorilla; but the crest is produced upwards somewhat suddenly at about the anterior end of its posterior third (Pl. XX XIX. fig. 1). The anterior margin of the ilium is always concave, and often more so than in Troglodytes, though, as in the latter genus, the wide distance between the anterior spinous processes causes it to differ much from the form of the anterior margin of the ilium of Man (Pl. XX XIX. fig. 2). As in Troglodytes, the anterior superior spinous process in Simia is not so marked and distinct a process as in Man; but the anterior inferior spinous process (Pl. XX XIX. fig. 2 5) is sometimes almost, if not quite, as prominent as in him. Sometimes, however, it is not more marked than in 7’roglodytes. Within this process, and above the acetabulum, the ilium presents a smooth surface for the psoas and iliacus muscles; and no ilio-pectineal prominence marks the junction of the ilium with the pubis. The upper part of the posterior margin of the ilium is, on the whole, nearly straight to the lower margin of the auricular surface ; and though its outline is irregular, there is scarcely any trace of the concavity which exists in Man between the posterior termination of the crest of the ilium (or posterior superior spinous process) and the 1 M. Duvernoy says “un peu creux,” ‘Archives du Muséum,’ vol. vill. p. 28. 2E 2 196 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. upper end of the auricular surface. This upper part of the posterior margin is, as also in Zroglodytes, much longer than in Man. The lower part of the posterior margin (below the auricular surface) is very decidedly concave, but, as in 7voglodytes, the concavity is nothing like so strongly marked as in the human ilium (Pl. XXXIX. figs. 1&2 9). Indeed it is rather less marked than appears to be generally the case in 7'roglodytes. The ilium forms a considerable portion of the acetabulum, but not quite so much of it as does the ischium. It is altogether superior to the depressed surface (for fat and vessels), which surface is entirely formed by the last-named bone. The pubis has a horizontal ramus with three surfaces and three prominent lines, as in Man. The superior or horizontal surface is broader than in 7'roglodytes, though it is never- theless considerably narrower than in Man. This surface presents a narrow groove running from without inwards, and concave from behind forwards, the concavity being much increased by a very large process. This process (Pl. XX XIX. figs. 2,3, & 4p), which exists in almost all adults, is entirely formed by the pubis, and, being situated at the internal termination of the ilio-pectineal line, is probably (as Professor Owen! names it) the spine of the pubis. It is nevertheless so remote from the symphysis and so near the acetabulum that it has rather the appearance of an iliopectineal eminence. The internal surface of the horizontal ramus (Pl. XXXIX. fig. 3) is smooth, and (not counting the just-mentioned spine) is narrower vertically, above the obturator foramen, than in Man. The external or inferior surface is, as in Man, deeply grooved (Pl. XX XIX. fig. 4). Indeed it is often much more so than is sometimes the case in him, the Orang in this differing markedly from the Gorilla and Chimpanzee; in both of which (as far as I have observed) the groove is never more than slightly marked, while in the Chim- panzee it is often altogether absent. The external extremity of the bone forms but a very small portion indeed of the acetabulum. : The body of the pubis is, as also in 7'roglodytes, thinner from within outwards, and more vertically extended than in Man; the margin bounding the obturator foramen is also thinner than in him. There is no spine of the pubis other than the one already mentioned, and no process whatever near the symphysis, which, as also in 7reglodytes, is much longer than in Man (Pl, XX XIX. fig. 2s). The descending ramus of the pubis resembles that of the Gorilla and Chimpanzee in being much wider than that of Man. ren ‘ Trans. Zool. Soe. vol. i. p, 363. - W. Vrolik calls it «« Epine pubienne ou éminence ilio-pectinée,” ‘ Recherches d’ Anat. Comp. sur le Chimpansé,’ p. 10. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 197 The ischium consists, as in Man, of a body and ramus; and part of the external surface of the former constitutes the greater portion of the acetabulum, including (as before said) the whole of its depressed tract. Below the socket for the femur the other part of the antero-external face (Pl. XX XIX. fig. 4) presents (as in 7’roglodytes) a wide surface of bone—concave from above downwards, ‘and strongly convex from behind forwards—in the place of the narrow groove which in Man separates the acetabulum from the ischiatic tuberosity. The postero-external surface of this part of the ischium (Pl. XX XIX. fig. 1) is similarly elongated as compared with Man’s structure, but in all the forms it is smooth and bounded inferiorly (as is also the outer surface) by the margin of the tuberosity of the ischium. In the Orang this surface is not prolonged backwards, as in Man, by so prominent an ischiatic spine, though this process is considerably more developed (Pl. XXXIX. figs. 1-4) than in the Gorilla, and sometimes than in the Chimpanzee also. The tuberosity of the ischium is formed very much as in Man, and is less flattened beneath, and has its margin somewhat less everted than in 7roglodytes. At the same time the Orang resembles the last-named genus, and differs from Man in that the rugose surface is prolonged more in the direction of the symphysis pubis (Pl. XX XIX. fig. 6), and less in that of the spine of the ischium than it isin him. It is, however, decidedly more prolonged up backwards towards the last-named process, than in 7’rog/o- dytes (Pl. XX XIX. tig. 3 7). The ramus of the ischium in the Orang agrees with that of the Gorilla and that of the Chimpanzee in being very much more vertically extended than in Man. Its external surface is also more concave, and its inferior border more everted, while the margin bounding the obturator foramen is thinner than in him. The last-mentioned foramen is generally somewhat subtriangular, with one angle turned towards the outer end of the horizontal ramus of the pubis. The acetabulum is longer vertically, in comparison with its breadth, than in Man. Its depressed surface and the cotyloid notch are very much smaller than in the higher forms (Pl. XXXIX. fig. 4). The acetabulum is deepest superiorly, and more predominantly deep there than in Man, and somewhat more so than even in 7roglodytes. The anterior part of the pelvis does not descend so much as in the last-mentioned genus, but is more like that of Man in this respect. ; The false pelvis is longer and more shallow than in the Gorilla, and still more so than in Man. As in Jroglodytes the inlet of the true pelvis is ‘less’ con- stricted anteriorly, less cordate, and more fully elliptical in shape” than in the human form. The ellipse, however, is, sometimes at least, less elongated than in Troglodytes. As in the Gorilla and Chimpanzee, but a small part of the acetabulum is visible ! Owen, Trans. Zool. Soe. vol. v. p. 14. 198 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. when the outer surface of the ilium (Pl. XX XIX. fig. 1) is opposite the observer. instead of almost the whole of its cavity being so, as is the case in Man}. Femur. (Plate XL. figs. 1-7.) This bone is exceedingly short in the Orang, both absolutely and relatively, as com- pared with Man and the Gorilla. In Zroglodytes it is more than half the length of the spine (measured as before), and in Man it is more than three-fifths of it; in the Orang, however, I find it less than half. As compared with the length of the os innominatum the femur is somewhat longer in the Orang than in 7’roglodytes—as it is decidedly the longer of the two; still the pro- portion very much more resembles that existing in the last-named genus than Man’s, as his femur is about double the length of his os innominatum. A comparison of the femur with the humerus shows a greater difference from Man than that presented in 7’roglodytes, though even in the Chimpanzee the femur is slightly the shorter of the two, instead of very much the longer, as in Man. When the femur of the Orang is made to rest with both condyles on a horizontal surface, and placed as nearly as may be in a vertical position, the bone does not incline outwards (peronead) superiorly so much as does that of Man when similarly placed ; it does so, however, in a slightly greater degree than is the case in 7’roglodytes’. The body or shaft of the bone differs much from that of the femur of Man, and greatly resembles that of 7’roglodytes. This is the case as regards the absence of a strongly projecting linea aspera, the less transverse convexity of the anterior surface, the much greater antero-posterior compression of the bone, and its less degree of cur- vature convex forwards, the shaft being even straighter than in the Gorilla (Pl. XL. figs. 8 & 4). It also differs from Man’s, and agrees with that of Zroglodytes, in the large proportion borne by the transverse diameter to the length—though in this respect it resembles the Chimpanzee, it being more slender than in the Gorilla. The lateral expansion downwards of the shaft, though more gradual than in Man, is much less so than in the Gorilla; and the external margin of the same is more concave than in Troglodytes, and approximates, therefore, in its outline to Man’s. In the Orang, as in the Gorilla and Chimpanzee, the external and internal surfaces of the shaft are much narrower from before backwards than in Man. ‘This arises from the non-projection of the linea aspera, which seems to be, as it were, flattened out in both Sima and Troglodytes, though least so in the Gorilla. The anterior intertrochanteric line (PI. XL. fig. 1 ¢) is continued into the spiral line (Pl. XL. figs. 2 & 3f), and can be followed downwards to the entocondyloid prominence * Owen, Trans. Zool. Soe, vol. v. p. 14. > There is a certain amount of individual variation in this respect; in the specimen No. 3c in the British Museum, the inclination is considerable, approaching that of Man. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. iS)s (Pl. XL. fig. 2h). About halfway down it approximates more or less towards the middle line of the posterior surface of the femur. On the opposite side of the bone a more or less marked line, or rugose tract, extends from the base of the great trochanter downwards towards the external condyle’. ‘The posterior surface of the femur, between these two lines, is more or less rough and irregular, and contrasts with the smoothness of the rest of the shaft. As in [roglodytes, so also in Simia, there is no strongly marked ridge descending quite to the ectocondyloid prominence (as is the case in Man), neither does any ridge run downwards from the lesser trochanter. Below the great trochanter, and more or less in the course of the long line descending towards the external condyle, there is a marked and rough depressed surface for the gluteus maximus (Pl. XL. fig. 49). The lower end of this depression does not reach to the middle of the bone’s vertical extent. As in 7roglodytes, the popliteal space is flatter than is the case in Man. The entocondyloid prominence (Pl. XL. figs. 1 & 21) is somewhat more developed than in 7roglodytes, but not quite so much so as in Man. The ectocondyloid one is about the same as in the last-named genus, and therefore is more marked than in the human femur (Pl. XL. figs. 1 and 2 4). I have not seen a conspicuous medullary foramen on the posterior surface of the femur in any one specimen of Simia. As in the higher forms, the neck is considerably more vertically than antero- posteriorly extended. It forms with the shaft an angle (open inwards and downwards) of about 155°, which is considerably greater than that in Man, or than that in the Chimpanzee, and much more so than the corresponding angle in the Gorilla*. There is nevertheless some slight individual variation in this angle. The great or peroneal trochanter never attains so high a level, compared with the head of the bone, as in Man, and still less than as in 7’roglodytes. In shape it is very like the corresponding part in the higher forms, except that it differs from that of the Gorilla, and resembles that of the Chimpanzee, and still more that of Man, in its peronead projection (Pl. XL. figs. 1, 2, 4, 6) beyond the line of the external margin of the shaft’. The lesser, or tibial, trochanter is shaped much as it is in the Chimpanzee, being less elongated than is sometimes the case in the Gorilla, and less conical than in Man. When looked at from above (Pl. XL. figs. 1, 2, 5, 4, 6¢) it appears, as also in Man and the Chimpanzee, closer to the head of the bone than is the case in the Gorilla’. ’ Giving origin in part, probably, to the femoral portion of the Biceps, as Mr. W.S. Church notes its origin as ‘extending from 23 inches below the great trochanter to within the same distance of the external condyle” (Nat. Hist. Review, 1862, vol. ii. p. 86). 2 See Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc, vol. vy. p. 15, plate 7. 3 Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. v. p. 15. * Owen, loc. cit. plate 7. 200 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. The trochanteric fossa is deeper than in the Gorilla, but, as also in Man, it is less deep than in the Chimpanzee. The intertrochanteric lme behind is rather more sharply and strongly prominent than in any of the higher forms (Pl. XL. fig. 2 d).- The head of the femur is very large, especially as compared with that of the Chimpanzee, though absolutely exceeded by that of Man, and also by that of the Gorilla when of large size. It is sharply defined by a prominent border all round, ee, sometimes for a short space near the intertrochanteric fossa (Pl. XL. figs: 1 , 4, 6, 7a). “The sharp projection of its anterior margin is more like what exists in Zroglodytes than in the general structure of Man. It is commonly asserted that the ligamentum teres is absent in. the Orang g, as-also the pit for its reception on the head of the femur’. I find no trace of the latter in either femur of any specimen, with one exception; but in that. exceptional specimen each femur (PI. XL. fig. 77) exhibits a small but distinct depression on its head in the place occupied in other forms by the pit for the round ligament. This absence has not, as far as I am aware, been noticed in. Man or the Chimpanzee ; but- in -the Gorilla I have sometimes been unable to detect any trace of such a fossa on the head of the femur®. It may therefore be the case that this ligament is pueuaaie: absent in the Gorilla, and occasionally present in the Orang. T The rotular surface (Pl. XL. fig. 10) does not,-as in ee project higher -on- the peroneal than on the tibial side, but more resembles in this respect that of the Gorilla than even that of the Chimpanzee; it extends, however, further up the shaft, and has its superior margin more acutely convex than in 7Z’roglodytes. It is even less concave transversely than in the Gorilla and Chimpanzee, and therefore still more widely differs in this respect from the rotular-surface of Man than do the corresponding parts in them. The external condyloid articular surface is somewhat narrower than is the internal one, but the difference is less than in Z'’roglodytes* (Pl. XL. fig. 5m & n). : The breadth of the intercondyloid fossa (which, as in the Gorilla, ‘is generally shallower than in Man) is about equal at its anterior and posterior ends, ~ As in Y’roglodytes, the whole distal surface of the bone is broader in proportion to its antero-posterior extent than in Man®*, and the external condyle: projects backwards less than the internal one does—the external one being, as in that genus, the shorter one from before backwards, instead of rather the longer- of the two as in Man* (Pl. XL. fig. 5m & n). ‘ Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. i. p, 365, and De Blainville, ‘ Ostéographie,’- Primates, Pithecus, p. 31, * No, 37 in the osteological collection of the British Museum. * #.g. in all four femora of the specimens Nos, 5179 a and 51798 in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons. * Owen, Trans, Zool, Soc, vol. v, p. 16, plate 7. fig. 3, > Owen, loc. eit. p. 16, plate 7. fig. 3. ° Owen, loc. cit. p. 18. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 201 Patella. (Plate XL. figs. 8 & 9.) The patella of the Orang has its surface marked with vertical grooyes, as in Man, but it agrees with that of 7’roglodytes and differs from the human patella in being more rounded and without the produced inferior apex, in having no median vertical projection on its posterior surface, and in the subequality of thickness of its outer and inner edges, as well as of its superior and inferior ones. It differs from that of all the higher forms in its greater breadth, in the less convexity of its outer surface, in the almost complete flatness of its inner surface’, and in its smaller size, as compared with the adjoining ends of the femur and tibia. Tibia. (Plate XLI. figs. 1-5, 8, 9.) The length of the tibia, as compared with that of the spine, is much as in 7’roglodytes, and nearly one-fifth less than in Man. The proportion borne by it to the femur I have found larger than in the Chimpanzee or Gorilla. As compared with the radius, the tibia of the Orang is much shorter than that of Zroglodytes; but yet the difference is much less than between the latter genus and Man, in whom the tibia is about half as long again as is the radius. Besides the relative length of the bone, the Orang differs from Man and agrees with Troglodytes in the great relative width and less lateral compression of the tibia, in the convexity, vertically, of its anterior surface, the vertical concavity of its outer or peroneal surface (Pl. XLI. fig. 1), the shortness and bluntness of the crest, and the more rounded form of the shaft, which renders it somewhat difficult to describe according to the three surfaces and three margins which exist in Man. As also in 7roglodytes*, the transverse diameter of the superior surface is greater, compared with the antero-posterior diameter of the same, than is the case in Man. In the greater projection, tibiad, of the internal tuberosity and in the stronger vertical concavity of the inner surface of the bone leading down from it to the shaft, the Crang resembles the Chimpanzee, and differs from the Gorilla, and still more from Man. The tubercle, as also in 7roglodytes, is less prominent than in Man; but there is some individual variation in this respect. The external tuberosity is at least as large as, if not larger than, the internal one; and its thickness between the articular surface for the femur and that for the fibula is (Pl. XLI. fig. 2), as also in 7roglodytes, relatively, and often absolutely, greater than in Man. The latter articular surface, again, as in 7'roglodytes, is also larger relatively than in Man (Pl. XLI. fig. 5%), but it is flat, instead of, as in the Gorilla, strongly convex. The groove for the tendon of the popliteus is very slightly marked; but the depres- sion for the semimembranosus (behind the internal tuberosity) is very much so 1 W. Vrolik, ‘ Recherches d’Anat. Comp. sur le Chimpansé,’ p. 15. ? Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc, vol. v. p. 19. bo sy VOL. VI.— PART IV. 202 MR, ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. (Pl. XLI. fig. 47), and, as in Zroglodytes, is more rounded and less antero-posteriorly elongated than in Man. Of the two articular surfaces for the condyles of the femur, the internal one has its inner margin (as in the Gorilla and Chimpanzee) more convex and prominent than in Man (Pl. XLI. fig. 8); and the concavity of its surface is mainly produced, as Professor Owen remarks of the Gorilla’, by the elevation of that part of it which joins the spine. The external articular surface (for the external condyle of the femur), though more convex antero-posteriorly than in Man, is less so than in the Gorilla; and sometimes, indeed, it is decidedly, though very slightly, concave antero-posteriorly. The spine is also more human in its form than it is in either Troglodyte, being almost as bifid as in Man; while the groove which descends backwards from its apex, and divides the posterior ends of the articular surfaces for the condyles, is considerably deeper, and more marked than in any of the higher forms (Pl. XLI. figs. 2 & 8). The lower end of the tibia is inclined so that the anterior margin of its distal end is much more oblique (downwards and tibiad) than in 7'roglodytes, and very much more so than in the human tibia. This obliquity arises from the large size of the lower articular surface for the fibula, and from the inclination inwards of the articular surface of the tibial malleolus. The inner, or free, surface of the last-named process projects more strongly tibiad than in 7roglodytes—the inner surface of the shaft immediately above it being more concave vertically than in that genus, though scarcely more so than in Man. ‘The anterior margin of the distal end of the tibia is more prominent than in the higher forms, the surface of the shaft just above it being more concave, vertically, than in them. The distal end of the posterior surface of the tibia has a deeper groove for the tibialis posticus and flexor longus hallucis than I have observed in any of the higher forms (Pl. XLI. fig. 2p). As in Troglodytes, so also in Simia, the tibial malleolus is more truncated at its apex than is the case in Man. The distal articular surface of the shaft of the tibia (Pl. XLI. fig. 9) is, as in the Chimpanzee?, far more convex transversely than in the Gorilla or in Man. On either side of the strong median convexity there is (also as in the Chimpanzee) a slight transverse concavity; but the whole surface presents only a mere trace of an antero- posterior concavity, while, as in 7'roglodytes, its anterior margin descends as much (when the shaft is vertical) as does its posterior margin, instead of, as in Man, the latter margin descending further than the anterior one. The articular surface on the outer (peroneal) side of the malleolus forms a more open angle with the distal surface of the shaft than even in 7'roglodytes, and its vertical extent is also much less (PI. XLI. fig. 1). * Trans. Zool. Soe. vol. v. p. 19. * Owen, loc. cit. p. 20. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 205 The articular surface for the lower part of the fibula is much larger than in Man and Troglodytes, being about the same size as the malleolar one for the inner side of the astragalus (Pl. XLI. figs. 5 & 9s). The shaft of the tibia is, as in the higher forms, triangular above its middle; but below that it is, as in Z’roglodytes, much more rounded than in Man. The internal surface is convex, except at its upper part and just within the crest and below the tubercle, in which last situation there is, as also in Troglodytes’, a rough and depressed surface (Pl. XLI. fig. 1) for the insertion of the sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus muscles. The external, or peroneal, surface of the tibia is, as in Troglodytes, more strongly concave above than in Man, while from rather above the middle of the bone, it merges insensibly into the anterior surface. This external surface of the human tibia is much broader from behind forwards than is the part which corresponds to it in Simia, if the faint ridge (Pl. XLI. fig. 57) running downwards from the front of the upper surface _ for the fibula is that to which the interosseous ligament is attached. The posterior surface of the tibia presents an oblique popliteal ridge, which, however, as also in 7’roglodytes, is much less strongly marked than in Man. The medullary foramen (Pl. XLI. fig. 2) is much as in Man and the Chimpanzee, and more above the middle of the bone than I have observed it to be in the Gorilla. The anterior border, or crest of the tibia, is less sharp, much shorter, and inclines more markedly tibiad below than in Man, agreeing in these points with Zroglodytes, except that in Sima the crest is rather more sharp towards its upper end. The inner border, as also in Troglodytes, is so little marked as to be hardly distin- guishable, except for a short distance above the posterior border of the malleolus. There is a well-marked external or peroneal border, which, however, does not correspond with the external border of the tibia of Man, inasmuch as it descends from behind, and not from in front of, the upper facet for the fibula; it becomes lost about halfway down the tibia. Another and less marked external ridge (Pl. XLI. fig. 5/7) appears to correspond with the external margin in Man. It springs from a point anterior to the upper articular surface for the fibula, and descends to the apex of the lower articular surface for that bone. This ridge is rather more strongly marked in T’roglodytes. Fibula. (Plate XLI. figs. 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, & 11.) As in Troglodytes*, this bone is much more distant from the shaft of the tibia than in Man; it is also shorter, stouter, and straighter than in him, and has the ridges and depressions on its surface less marked,—in all which points the fibula of the Orang agrees with that of the Gorilla and that of the Chimpanzee. The proximal articular surface (Pl. XLI. figs. 7 & 10) is more rounded than in ! Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. y. p. 19. 2 Owen, loc. cit. vol. i. p. 366, 9p? ARS 204 _ MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. Man, and, though slightly concave, has not the marked depression existing in Troglodytes. As in the Gorilla and Chimpanzee, the outer side of the head has a very marked prominence (Pl. XLI. figs. 1, 3, & 6 ¢) for the long external lateral ligament and the tendon of the biceps. There is no styloid process, that eminence being more completely absent than in Troglodytes. As in the last-named genus, so also in Siméa, one single anterior ridge appears to answer to both the external and internal anterior lines of Man! (Pl. XLI. fig. 1 w). - This ridge descends along the anterior surface of the bone, and bifurcates very near its inferior end. The margin answering to the posterior external one of Man (Pl. XLI. fig. 3v) is quite indistinct, except at the lower part of the bone. It extends obliquely, from the inner side of the posterior surface of the malleolus, in an upward and outward direction, over the posterior surface of the shaft of the fibula, for a greater or less distance towards its head. There is in the Orang, as in Man and Troglodytes, a posterior internal ridge (Pl. XLI. figs. 3 & 7 w) which runs obliquely downwards and forwards from the inner aspect of the head of the fibula, and joins the anterior margin before mentioned. The medullary foramen (opening distad as in Man and Troglodytes) is placed more or less near to the middle of the bone (from above downwards) below and rather behind the posterior internal ridge (Pl. XLI. figs. 3 & 7 y). The contraction of the anterior surface of the fibula in Simia and Troglodytes, through the coalescence as it were of ‘the external and internal anterior margins of that bone in Man, is more than compensated for by the wide surface for muscular attachment offered by the interosseous ligament. As in Troglodytes, the peroneal: malleolus is shorter and blunter than in Mises and does not descend below the tibial one’ (Pl. XLI. fig. 1). Pes. (Plates XLI. fig. 12, & XLIII.) The absolute length of this segment in the Orang exceeds that of the higher forms ; as also its length as compared with the spine, with the rest of the pelvic limb, and with the tibia. The proportion borne by the length of the pes to that of the manus is, as also in Troglodytes, much less than in Man. Tarsus. Unlike the carpus, the tarsus consists of the same number of bones as in the higher ' The fibula of Man is very lucidly described by Mr. A. T. Norton, in his convenient and carefully prepared ‘ Osteology for Students,’ recently published, ? Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. y. p. 20. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 205 forms. In absolute length this segment falls short of that of the Chimpanzee, and it is very much shorter than the homologous part in Man and the Gorilla. Compared with the length of the spine, that of the tarsus is very slightly less than in the Chimpanzee, but falls more short of that in Man and the Gorilla. The proportion borne by it to the whole length of the pes is more characteristic, as in the Orang it appears to be only as about 26-6 to 100, while in Zroglodytes it is 36 or 40 to 100, and in Man is as about 46 to 100. Calcaneum. (Plate XLIII. figs. 2-7.) The os calcis of the Orang is very unlike that of Man, or that of the Gorilla, and more resembles that of the Chimpanzee. The projection of the heel backwards beyond the hinder margin of the posterior articular surface for the astragalus, some- times about equals, sometimes falls short of the antero-posterior extent of that surface. The Orang in this differs widely from Man, and still more from the Gorilla, in which last the length of the os calcis behind the posterior margin above-mentioned exceeds that of all the bone anterior to it. In the Chimpanzee the length of the os calcis behind the posterior articular surface for the astragalus does not quite equal the antero-posterior extent of that surface, which, again, exceeds that of the bone in front of it. In the Orang the length of the os calcis anterior to the same surface (Pl. XLIII. fig. 6) sometimes equals, sometimes falls short of that of the bone behind it. ‘The upper surface of the last-mentioned posterior portion is more or less concave antero- posteriorly (Pl. XLIII. figs. 2 & 3), more so than generally in the Gorilla, though not so much so as in the Chimpanzee. The posterior surface of the tuberosity is more narrow' transversely than in Man or Troglodytes, and is prolonged both upwards and downwards, the latter making the plantar surface much concave antero-posteriorly (Pl. XLIII. figs. 2, 3, & 5). Although, when the surfaces for the astragalus are horizontal, the tuberosity inclines strongly tibiad at its plantar end,—yet this inclination is (sometimes at least) not so great as in the Gorilla?. The outer or peroneal face of the caleaneum has a somewhat more human aspect than has that of the Gorilla, inasmuch as it is vertically less convex and more extended, relatively, than in the latter; sometimes even there is a slight vertical concavity. The posterior articular surface for the astragalus is not so convex as in Troglodytes, and it is more posteriorly placed, with respect to the anterior articular surface, than is the case in that genus or in Man. As in the Chimpanzee, there is no trace of a second posterior plantar tubercle; that for the external lateral ligament is more posterior in position than it is in any of the higher forms, though in this the Orang more resembles * Professor Huxley remarks, “‘ The calcaneal process is narrow from side to side,” ‘ Medical Times,’ 1864, vol. i. p. 565. * Dr, Lucae remarks this, Joc. cit. p. 304. 206 — MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. the Chimpanzee than it does Man or the Gorilla. Sometimes, in the Orang, there is a marked antero-posteriorly directed groove above this peroneal tubercle (Pl. XLIII. fig. 2e), but it is never bounded inferiorly by such a strongly projecting ridge as exists in the Gorilla. The tubercle for the calcaneo-cuboid ligament is distinct (Pl. XLIIIL. fig. 7), but not prominent as it is generally in Man. The articular surface for the cuboid is nearly vertical; but the depression at the lowest part of the tibial side is extraordinarily deep, forming a funnel-shaped cavity (Pl. XLII. fig. 4¢) for the reception of the very long conical and pivot-like prominence on the posterior surface of the cuboid’, Astragalus. (Plate XLIII. figs. 8-13.) This bone, in Simia, has a very different appearance from that of any higher form, owing to the great length and strong tibiad inclination of its neck (Pl. XLII. fig. 8 a). The superior articular surface (for the shaft of the tibia) is sometimes rather more concave transversely than in Man or Troglodytes, and it extends backward somewhat less. The head of the bone (for articulation with the naviculare) is also more compressed from above downwards than in them (Pl. XLIIL. fig. 12d). The difference in size between the articular surfaces for the two malleoli is greater than in Troglodytes or Man. ‘That for the peroneal malleolus forms rather a slightly acute than a right angle, with the upper surface of the astragalus. That for the tibial malleolus forms, in the Orang, a very obtuse angle with the same, but yet not so obtuse a one as it does in the Gorilla. It encroaches more on the neck of the bone than in the higher forms. That part of the tibial face of the astragalus which is posterior to the surface for the malleolus, is much smaller than in Man or Troglodytes, but, as in the Gorilla, is separated from the latter by a deep groove (Pl. XLIII. fig. 10 d), behind which the surface is very smooth and rounded. On the other hand, that part of the peroneal face which is behind the surface for the outer malleolus (Pl. XLII. fig. 11) is larger than in Man or Troglodytes,is more depressed, and has one or more small openings. The groove for the flexor tendon is wider than in Man or T’roglodytes, and while more sharply limited on its peroneal side than in them, is less so on its tibial side (P]. XLIII. figs. 9 & 15 9). The posterior articular surface for the calcaneum has, as in the Gorilla, its anterior and inner margin more convex (Pl. XLIII. fig. 97), and its posterior and outer one more concave than in Man, its crescentic form being very marked. It is separated from the ' This is doubtless connected with the great mobility, in the Orang, of the joint between the anterior and posterior tarsals, which has been noticed by previous observers. Professor Owen speaks of this, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. i. p. 367; and Professor Huxley remarks, “The mobility between the distal and proximal divisions of the tarsus is exceedingly great, and is the chief cause of the habitual turning inwards of the sole of the foot,” ‘Medical Times,’ 1864, vol. i. p. 565. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 207 anterior articular surface by a groove for the astragalo-calcaneal ligament. ‘This groove, though somewhat deeper than in Man (Pl. XLIII. fig. 9 4), is not nearly so much so as in the Gorilla. The anterior articular surface for the os calcis (P1. XLII. fig. 9h) is much elongated, and is concayo-conyex, but it is not very distinctly marked off from the rest of the articular surface of the head of the astragalus. Naviculare. (Plate XLIII. figs. 14-16.) This bone in the Orang has a rather more marked proximal concavity than has its homologue in the Gorilla, and a much more marked one than that of Man. The vertical diameter of the same surface also predominates over the transverse one to a greater degree than in the human naviculare. Simia agrees with Homo, and differs from Troglodytes, in having the plantar end of the bone less antero-posteriorly expanded; and the tuberosity (Pl. XLIII. fig. 15 e) is less produced than in Man, and much less so than in Troglodytes. The distal articular surface, as a whole, is narrower, in proportion to its vertical extent, in the Orang than it is in the Gorilla, and still more so than in Man. It agrees with that of Troglodytes, and differs from that of Man in the marked concavity of the surface for the ectocuneiforme (Pl. XLIII figs. 14-164), and in the convexity of those for the mesocuneiforme and entocuneiforme. Yet the angle formed by the first of these with the surface for the mesocuneiforme is smaller than in the Gorilla, and still more so than in Man. In the Orang there is generally a larger facet (Pl. XLIII. fig. 16 c) for the cuboid than in Troglodytes. The rough tract on the peroneal surface of the bone (between the facet for the cuboid and the peroneal margins of the proximal and distal articular surfaces) is much more extensive in the Orang than in Man or Troglodytes (P|. XLII. fig. 16 d). Entocuneiforme. (Plate XLIIL. figs. 22-26.) . The entocuneiforme of Simia differs much from its homologue in Man or Troglodytes, its tibial surface being strongly concave, as also the margin connecting the surfaces for the first and second metatarsals. The articular surface for the metatarsal of the hallux has a greater vertical concavity than in any higher species, being sometimes, indeed, truly saddle-shaped (Pl. XLIII. fig. 25 & 24). Sometimes, however (Pl. XLIII. fig 26 a), this vertical concavity is absent. This surface looks rather more tibiad than it does forwards’, and it cannot be said to be notched on its inner side—as is the case in Man and Z7o- glodytes. The greater part of the anterior aspect of the bone is occupied by a rough non-articular tract which extends upwards and widely separates the surfaces for the first and second metatarsals? (Pl. XLIII. figs. 25-26 ¢). 1M. Vrolik remarks that it is so placed “ que le gros orteil doit s’écarter des autres.” ‘ Recherches d’Anat. Comp.’ p. 15. * Noticed by Professor Huxley, see ‘ Medical Times,’ 1864, vol. i. p. 565. 208 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. The bone, as a whole, tapers rather more upwards than in the higher forms, and would appear to do so more plainly but for the tibiad production of the anterior superior tibial angle, or summit of the surface for the hallux. The postero-peroneal face of the entocuneiforme is, in the Orang, almost entirely occupied by surfaces which articulate with the naviculare, the mesocuneiforme, and the second metatarsal. These articular facets are well defined by sharp margins (Pl. XLIII. figs, 22-26 6, d, e), but are nevertheless continuous, and form an oblique band of articular surface extending from the posterior inferior angle of the bone to its anterior superior one. Mesocuneiforme. (Plate XLIII. figs. 27-31.) This bone in the Orang is less vertically and more antero-posteriorly extended than are its homologues in Man and the Gorilla. Its dorsum (Pl. XLIII. fig. 27) also is larger antero-posteriorly (as compared with its transverse dimensions) than in Troglodytes, in which it more resembles that of man. As in the Gorilla and Chimpanzee, its posterior surface (Pl. XLIII. fig. 31) is more concave than in the human mesocuneiforme. Its anterior surface (as also in the Gorilla) has its upper tibial part more bevelled off than in Man (Pl, XLII. fig. 50), and the rest of that surface is more concave than in him or in the Gorilla. The tibial surface of the bone (Pl. XLIII. fig. 28) presents one large articular surface (for the entocuneiforme) which is mainly extended from behind forwards, instead of the two distinct facets which exist in Man. The peroneal surface has, at its posterior plantar angle, a rather convex articular facet (Pl. XLII. fig. 29 d) which articulates with the ectocuneiforme; and there is also a more or less marked articular surface extending antero-posteriorly along the top of this peroneal face, Ectocuneiforme. (Plate XLIII. figs. 32-36.) In the Orang the ectocuneiforme has its proximal articular surface (Pl. XIII. figs. 82 & 366) much more oblique and much more conyex than in either Man or Troglodytes. As in the latter genus, the posterior extension of the bone, below the hinder articular surface, is greater than in Man; and the posterior inferior angle is produced into a rounded head (Pl. XLIII. fig. 34¢), The distal articular surface is somewhat T-shaped (Pl XLIII. fig. 35) and more concave than in the higher forms. The tibial surface presents a strong convexity above, and near its posterior plantar angle is a small concave facet (Pl. XLIII. fig. 33 ¢) for articulation with the mesocuneiforme. The peroneal surface either presents two distinct facets for the cuboid, or these may coalesce and form one continuous articular surface for that bone (Pl. XLIII. fig. 34 d). Cuboides. (Plate XLIII. figs. 17-21.) This bone is shorter antero-posteriorly, as compared with its transverse extent, than is MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 209 the case in Man; in this the Orang resembles the Troglodytes, as also in the greater distinctness of the distal surfaces for the fourth and fifth metatarsals respectively (Pl. XLII. fig. 19a, 4). That for the fourth metatarsal is more concave in both the vertical and transverse directions than it is in the Gorilla, and therefore much more so than in Man. As in the Chimpanzee, this surface occupies a greater share of the distal surface than is the case in the Gorilla and in Man. The posterior surface of the cuboid (Pl. XLII. fig. 21) is very much more concavo-convex than in the other and superior forms; and its tibial plantar angle is produced into the conical and pivot-like process before alluded to (Pl. XLII. figs. 17 & 18c). As in Troglodytes, the under surface of the cuboides, behind the prominent ridge, is less extensive than in Man; and (as also in Troglodytes) a small deep fossa exists just inside the angle formed by the junction of the above-mentioned ridge with the posterior margin of the plantar surface of the bone. On the tibial side of the bone there is a large articular surface for the ectocuneiforme, which surface is continuous behind with that for the naviculare (Pl. XLII. fig. 20¢, 4). As in Troglodytes, so in Simia, this surface descends nearer to the plantar margin than it does in Man. Metatarsus. The metatarsus attains a greater absolute length in Simia than in Man or Troglodytes. The length of this segment of the limb (estimated by that of the second metatarsal), compared with that of the spine, is considerably greater than in the higher forms—being as about 17-2 to 100, instead of from 10 to 12°5 to 100 as in Man and Troglodytes. The relative length of the same metatarsal as compared with that of the entire pes is very much the same as in the others, namely about 3271 to 100, while in Man, the Gorilla, and Chimpanzee I have found the proportion to be as 29°7, 28-5, and 30°6 to 100, respectively. The four outer Metatarsals. (Plate XLII. figs. 37 & 40-64.) As in the higher forms, these metatarsals in the Orang are thicker at each end than in the shaft; but the distal extremities are almost as broad as the proximal ends, thus differ- -ing from the four outer metatarsals of Troglodytes, and still more from those of Man. The shafts continue of nearly the same width throughout, and thus differ from those of Troglodytes, which taper distally, and still more from those of Man. On the other hand they do not broaden even slightly from behind forwards, as do their homotypes in the manus from above downwards. The transverse diameter of each head does not nearly equal its vertical dimension ; but still the difference is not so great as it is in the higher forms. The metatarsals in Sima are rather more curved, with the concavity downwards, than are the metacarpals; they also diverge distad somewhat less. ‘Their shafts are scarcely more laterally compressed than are those of the metacarpals; yet they are slightly more VOL. VI.—PART IV. 26 210 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. slender than the latter, though the difference is much less than in Troglodytes. They are not more flattened beneath than are their homotypes of the manus. ‘Their distal articular surfaces are destitute of the dorsal transverse groove which limits each of them posteriorly in Man and Troglodytes. On their plantar aspect the same surfaces have not those lateral projections which exist in the other forms. As in Troglodytes, so also in Simia, the dorsum of each distal articular surface slopes downwards towards its anterior end more than it does in Man. The extremities of the same surfaces of the fourth and fifth metatarsals of the Orang have also a very slight inclination peronead. A line connecting the proximal articular surfaces of the metatarsals of the Orang is almost at right angles with one following the antero-posterior direction of their shafts, these greatly differing from the condition presented by Man; and alto- gether the metatarsus and metacarpus are less differentiated in Siméa than they are in Man and Troglodytes. First Metatarsal. (Plate XLIII. figs. 38 & 39.) As in Troglodytes, the proximal end of this bone in the Orang presents a much more decided concavity than does that of its serial homologue, and is very different in form from the corresponding part in Man. In shape this metatarsal is very like that of its homologue in the Gorilla, and the direction of the distal groove (by which it articulates with the convex surface of the entocuneiforme) is oblique as in Troglodytes, and extends from above downwards and tibiad when the dorsum of the bone is placed horizontally, The shaft is also slightly twisted on its long axis. This bone in the Orang is sometimes a little longer, but generally a little shorter, than is the metacarpal of the pollex, being thus unlike the same bone in Man and Troglodytes, where it is much longer than is its homotype. As in the other forms, so in the Orang, the proximal end of this metatarsal is larger than that of the corresponding metacarpal, but the difference is much less than in Man and Troglodytes ; thus this metatarsal, like the four outer ones, has a greater resemblance to its homotype in the Orang than it has in the last-mentioned forms. As in Zroglodytes, the process for the attachment of the tendon of the peroneus longus is ESS! developed (Pl. XLIII. fig. 39 a). Second Metatarsal. (Plate XLII. figs. 40-43). ‘The proximal surface of this metatarsal in the Orang is much shorter vertically and tapers less downwards than that of Man (PI. XLIII. fig. 871.). It is also more concave transversely than in him, and is somewhat convex vertically on its peroneal side. Thus the posterior margin of the dorsum of this metatarsal presents a notch, and in this as in the preceding points it agrees, more or less nearly, with its homologue in Troglodytes. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 211 This proximal surface resembles that of the homotypal metacarpal one more in the Orang than in the other and superior forms; but it may be readily distinguished by the less inclination distad of its upper part, and by the large articular facet for the entocuneiform (Pl. XLIII. fig. 37 m. a). On the peroneal side of the bone there are two articular facets for the third meta- tarsal (P]. XLIII. fig. 434, 4'), which are sometimes connected at their proximal ends by a very small vertical articular surface for the ectocuneiforme. As in Troglodytes, the tibial articular surface (for the entocuneiforme) in the Orang is relatively larger than it is in Man (Pl. XLIIL fig. 42). ‘There is a more or less marked tubercle at the proximal end of the plantar surface of the bone, between the articular surface for the entocuneiforme and that for the meso- cuneiforme. Third Metatarsal. (Plate XLIII. figs. 44-47). The proximal surface of the third metatarsal of the Orang is less concave than that of man, and is, indeed, partially convex, as also in the Gorilla. It is more notched on its tibial side (Pl. XLIII. fig. 37 111.) than in the just-mentioned forms, by a deep groove, which divides the two articular facets for the second metatarsal. In the Gorilla the lower facet appears to be wanting. ; On the peroneal side of the bone (PJ. XLIII. fig. 47) there are two distinct facets, instead of one as in Man and the Gorilla. These are divided by a groove, which, however, scarcely invades the peroneal margin of the proximal surface. This surface may be distinguished from the homotypal one in the manus by its becoming much narrower downwards and by the absence of a marked concavity on its upper part. Fourth Metatarsal. (Plate XLIII. figs. 48-51). In the Orang, as in the Gorilla, the proximal surface of this metatarsal is destitute of the concavity which exists in Man, and is besides much more convex. Its inferior margin is straighter than in Man or the Gorilla, and the tibial side of the bone (Pl. XLIII. fig. 50) has two articular facets for the third metatarsal, instead of one as in them. These facets are separated by a wide and deep groove. The peroneal side of the bone (Pl. XLIII. fig. 51) has one long surface (for the fifth metatarsal) which is more vertically extended than in Man or the Gorilla. Compared with the homotypal surface of the manus, the proximal one of this metatarsal is more convex, the convexity extending on the peroneal side up to the dorsum, instead ot being interrupted by a concavity as in the manus. 3 Fifth Metatarsal. (Plate XLII. figs. 52-54). The fifth metatarsal of Simia has a proximal surface which is both more convex vertically and concave tranversely than that of the Gorilla, and still more so than that 2@2 ; 212 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. of Man. The external proximal process, or tuberosity (Pl. XLIII. figs. 52 & 53 a) is smaller in the Orang than in the higher forms; and in this the fifth metatarsal differs less from the fifth metacarpal than in them. As in the Gorilla, the tibial articular surface is less antero-posteriorly extended than in Man. The proximal surface of this metatarsal is very much more concave and less convex than is the corresponding surface of the fifth metacarpal. Digits. The proximal phalanges of the four outer digits are very much curved’, with the con- cavity downwards (PI. XLI. fig. 12), much more so than are their homotypes of the manus. ‘They are also narrower transversely, less flattened below and rather shorter, than are the latter. In these last three points, however, they differ less from their homotypes than do the same proximal phalanges of 7roglodytes from their serial homo- logues, and of course very much less than do those of Man. The proximal phalanx of the hallux is much shorter than is the homotypal segment in the Orang’, a circumstance in which it differs from all the higher forms. ‘The second phalanges of the four outer digits are shorter and narrower than are their homotypes; but again the difference is less than in Troglodytes, and greatly less than in Man. The second phalanx of the hallux is often absent®, but when present is much shorter than is its homotype of the pollex*, in which respect the Orang again differs from the superior forms. The third or distal phalanges scarcely differ in length from those of the manus, and at the most they are but a trifle shorter, thus agreeing with Zroglodytes and differing much from Man. The hallux with its metatarsal, when compared in length with the spine, I have found to be only as about 15-6 to 100, instead of from about 17 or 18 to 100 as in Man and Troglodytes ; compared with the length of the entire pes, it barely exceeds a quarter, instead of approaching one-half as in them. The index with its metatarsal, as compared with the length of the spine, is very much longer than in the higher forms, as also is the third digit. Without their metatarsals, these digits, when compared with the length of the entire pes, are not so very much longer than in the Chimpanzee (39 and 42 to 100, instead of 32 and 34), but they of course greatly exceed those of Man. The proportion borne by the whole hallux to the whole pollex is strikingly different " Professor Huxley, ‘ Medical Times,’ 1864, vol. i. p. 565. ? See Lucae, loc. cit. plate iii. figs. 5 & 9. * See Lucae. /oc. cit. plate ii. tigs. 5 & 9, “ Camper found this to be the case in seven out of eight Orangs (Quyres, tom. i. p. 54). Two phalanges, however, are recorded in two cases by Professor Owen, Trans. Zool. Soe. vol. i. p. 367. W. Vrolik, loc. cit. pp. 15 & 16, says, ‘« One or two phalanges are present,” and appears inclined to think that the distal one may disappear with age. De Blainville, loc. cit. p. 32, records five cases, in each of which the hallux had two phalanges, MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 213 from that existing in the superior forms, the former only being about four-fifths the length of the latter, instead of much exceeding it, as in Man and Troglodytes. ‘The proportion borne by the whole index of the pes to that of the manus is greater than that existing in the higher forms, the former being almost quite as long as the latter. The difference between the length of the index and that of the hallux is vastly greater than that in Man or Troglodytes. The fifth digit is the shortest, not counting the hallux; the second is somewhat longer, then the fourth, and the third is the longest (Pl. XLII. fig. 1). The order of projection is similar to that of length. The proportion borne by the longest digit (without its metatarsal) to the longest meta- tarsal, is greater than in Troglodytes, and of course very much greater than in Man. The hallux only reaches as far forwards as from three-fourths to five-sixths of the length of the metatarsal of the index; and therefore the Orang differs from Man and Troglodytes in that its hallux does not reach so far forwards in relation to the contiguous digit as does its pollex, while in them the hallux, thus estimated, extends further forwards than does the pollex’. The appendicular skeleton of Simia, while in some respects it more nearly resembles that of Man than does the corresponding structure in Troglodytes, yet on the whole departs further from the human skeleton than does that of the Chimpanzee, or that of the Gorilla. This divergence is most marked in the extremities; and the small differentiation of the bony structure of the terminal limb-segments of the Orang is especially remarkable. In addition to the various resemblances and differences offered by the limb-bones of Simia to the same parts in Homo and Troglodytes, I find that the Orang, when com- pared with all the species of the order Primates’, presents the following more or less noteworthy conditions :— The proportion borne by the pectoral limb to the spine is greater than in any other genus except Tarsius and Hylobates. The proportion of the length of the radius to that of the spine is greater than in any other except Hylobates. The length of the index, with its metacarpal, compared with the spine, is greater than in any except Tarsius and Hylobates. The length of the metacarpal of the pollex is greater, in proportion to that of the spine, than in any other except Hylobates and Tarsius. The spine of the ischium is more largely developed than in any other Primate except Man. 1 See Huxley and Hawkins, ‘Atlas of Comparative Osteology,’ plate x. figs. 1, 2 & 3, and plate xii. figs. la, 2a, 3a, & 4a; also Dr. Iucae’s paper before referred to, plate iii. figs. 2,5 & 9, plate ii. fig. 5, plate 1. fig. 2, and plate iv. figs. 1, 5 & 6. 2 See a paper “On the Skeleton of the Primates,” communicated to the Royal Society on November 22, 1866, read on January 10, 1867, and to be published in the ‘ Philosophical Transactions,’ yol. elvii. (1867) p. 299, plates xi.—xiy. 214 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. The length of the pes is greater, in proportion to that of the spine, than in any except Ateles, Cheiromys, and Tarsius. The proportion borne by the longest digit of the pes to the spine is greater than in any other Primate except Tarsius. The length of the longest digit, without its metatarsal, compared with that of the tarsus, is greater than in any of the order except the Vycticebine and perhaps Indris. The Orang differs from every other Primate without exception in:—the great absolute length of the pectoral limb minus the manus, of the manus itself, of its third digit both with and without its metacarpal, and of the metacarpal of the pollex; the great difference between the length of the pollex and that of the index; the large diameter of the acetabulum compared with the length of the spine; the small pro- portion borne by the femur to the humerus; the very obtuse angle formed by the neck of the femur with its shaft; the all but constant absence of the pit for the ligamentum teres on the head of the femur; the shortness of the tibia compared with the humerus; the length of the pes compared with that of the rest of the pelvic limb ; the length of the pes compared with that of the tibia; the absolute length of the three middle metatarsals; the absolute length of the longest digit with its metatarsal; the very small proportion borne by the length of the hallux to that of the longest digit of the pes; the occasional absence of the second digit of the hallux; the great length of the index, with its metatarsal, compared with the length of the spine; the small length of the hallux (both with and without its metatarsal) compared with that of the whole pes; the great length of the index, without its metatarsal, compared with that of the whole pes; the nearly equal length of the indices of the pes and manus, both with and without the metatarsal and metacarpal; the shortness of the tarsus compared with the length of the pes. Thus the Orang is one of the most peculiar and aberrant forms to be found in the order Primates. DIMENSIONS AND PROPORTIONS. ~ Scapula. Length Boa top | Greatest Greatest of glenoid sae Length Length Length length of breadth of to inferior yer- | f axillary | of vertebral | of superior glenoid glenoid tebral angle. Bp ae ee eA surface. surface. No. SATS. mise: 7:45 6°75 5°75 3°65 1-65 1:07 OLD terns. lee 7-00 6:45 5:20 3-70 1:55 1:00 SSO ean 7:50 6:90 6:00 3:40 1:75 1:17 Average of, the 731 6-70 5°65 3:58 1-65 1-08 three ...... Variety Morio .. 5-49 4:82 3°98 2.98 1:22 0-81 1 The skeletons which have been selected for measurement are those of three adult males in the Osteological Collection of the British Museum, and numbered respectively 3 A, 3B, and 3C. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. Posterior | Angled formed Angle formed by| Angle formed by| Angle formed by Pertapral by glenoid glenoid surface | spine of scapula | spine of scapula angle. surface with with spine of with axillary | with vertebral axillary margin. scapula. margin, margin. No. 3A 35 110 65 42 105 jy (G8) powabAce 35 113 70 41 103 pO Ou erences 35 115 70 40 108 Average of the ae le \ 35 112 68 41 105 Variety Morio 30 120 70 41 106 Average axillary margin: 100 :; average vertebral : 84-3. Average axillary margin: 100 ;: ayerage superior margin : 53:3. Clavicle. Length Length Breadth Greatest Greatest measured ina} measured about diameter of | diameter of straight line. | along curyes,| middle. |acromial end.| sternal end. INOS EAt Eat stots 7-50 7:80 61 1:10 1-27 — Od Go ouadro 6:55 6°75 60 1:02 1:30 » BO essen 7-20 7-40 “60 1-05 1:42 eee eee Lt 7:08 731 60 | 1-05 133 three) seas : Variety Morio 5°28 5:40 44 CLE “78 Average length of scapula from summit of glenoid surface to posterior yertebral angle; 100 length of clavicle measured in a straight line : 96-7, Extreme breadth of head. Humerus. Length measured in astraight line} Transyerse | Extreme from summit of | diameter of | breadth of head to lower middle of tubero- end of inner mar- shaft. sities. gin of trochlea. IOs. G2 ining one 14-00 93 159 — 88 Shores 14:10 92 1:68 NG REE ME 14-40 -90 1:67 Average of the 14-16 91 64. three) ...... Variety Morio 11:35 67 1:26 Extreme breadth between condyles. 2-50 2:59 2°69 2:59 2:05 Average length of scapula ; 100 ;: Average length of clavicle : 100 :; average length of humerus : 193:5. average length of humerus : 200-1, :: the average MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. Radius. Extreme length : | to end of otyleid, Diameter of Diameter of pier ot PS ee head. distal end. shaft. Bs) Docc goose 14:15 91 1:44 : Bs gad bocce 13-90 93 1:55 Bil) aku j owen 14-70 92 1:60 Average of the on 4 three...... } ea a oe Variety Morio .. 11-75 72 1:09 Average length of scapula : 100 :: that of radius :; 194-6. Average length of humerus : 100 ;: that of radius : 100-5. Ulna. Extreme length to G | d of styloid pro-| , Greatest lTensth of sty-| Sean, aha a heed of To ares straight line. beat A SHAW Aware tates 14-70 91 34 Gy sy totveoiae ont 14:20 1:00 29 Bi(Ol Awe one - 15°20 1:10 28 Average of the i P 3 three...... } Heh ch me Variety Morio .. 11:98 66 24 Average length of humerus : 100 :: that of ulna, measured in a straight line : 103:9. Os innominatum. From superior|From superior’ Distance from}; farce or anterior to | anterior to | Distance be- | Distance be- | posterior in- |- ’27°° f Sorel Extreme | superior pos-| superior pos- |tween anterior] tween pos- | ferior spinous apa ie te length. _| terior spinous| terior spinous| spinous pro- | terior spinous} process to hi Eat ee process along| process in a cesses. processes. spinerof |O UAHE LUOETOS ; crest of ilium.| straight line. ischium. ity: Oye Whar Ses) 9-90 6°25 5:10 3:50 2:65 2°62 1:90 BBE coine oae a 9:69 6:45 4:82 3:40 2°75 2:58 1:83 Ohm cloriadioo 6 10°25 6-42 4-60 3:25 2:40 2:50 2-10 Sees mot 9-94 637 4-84 3:38 2-60 256 1-94 TEC... see | Variety Morio .. 7:84 4:55 3°51 2°75 2:50 1:90 1:75 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. VOL. VI.—PART IV. Distance from oa Angle of ante- anterior infe-| Length of | Greatest ver- Grestest htkty 4 < eee rior part off rior spinous | symphysis | tical diameter arate peal Ilio-pubic Tlio-iachial ilium with process to pubis. of acetabulum. Mer 9 acca angle. angle. upper margin symphysis. ulum, of pubis. 3A. 410 1:97 1:70 | 1:60 130° 175° 145° SSM apeeie oy oh cease 3°90 1:45 1:68 1:52 132° 163° 137° Bh Cas Sehr 4-50 1-80 1:75 1:68 140° 167° 150° r f th = 7 ies ae a 4-16 174 1-71 1-60 134° 168° 144° Variety Morio .. 3°25 uel 1:38 1:30 128° 172° 150° Femur. Breadth be- | Breadth be- Transverse | Antero-poste- Extreme Etter diameter of | rior danse i sieaee, Paley mene aaa Sg head. middle of | of middle of | “Joid emi- | gins of the 2 nences. condyles. Oj. ogo Oo 10-40 1-40 1:05 76 2:33 2°23 (3) 8) eRe 10:70 1-40 95 “72 2:27 2-11 SIC ie access 11-20 1:45 95 ‘78 2°33 2:29 | Average of the ) Fi : é a : : ice f 10-76 1:41 98 75 2°31 2-21 Variety Morio .. 8:90 1:12 “71 aye 1:79 1:70 | Average length of femur ; 100 ;: that of 0s innominatum : 92:3. Average length of humerus ; 100 :; that of femur ; 76-0. Tibia. Fibula. Antero-poste-| Greatest Extreme ea, rior diame iene ieee length. f middle of | diameter o length. tA surface. [°° Shaft. | distal end. p SHEN on hha aonior 9-20 2:30 83 1:60 eB mesa sea\uekoions 9:05 2:22 lf 1:70 8:75 Ci Uamate ce c oie ei 9°80 2°39 ‘78 1-72 9-12 Mrorsciet thal tikea5 2-30 79 167 three. ...- Variety Morio .. 7:24 1-77 Dd 1:25 7°23 Average length of femur : 100: : that of tibia : 86°8. Average length of radius ; 100 :: that of tibia : 65°6. 2H 218 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. Manus. oh Length in (Length follow- | Length of Ist} Length of Length of Length of Length of |straight line of ing curve of metacarpal. second. third. fourth. filth. longest proxi- longest proxi- | mal phalanx. | mal phalanx. Boob 1:90 4-15 396 | 384 354 2:85 315 2 Ocee eine 2-00 4:22 418 3°97 3:60 3:00 3°55 | Average ..| 1-95 4-18 407 | 3:90 35 2:92 3:35 Pes. | Length in |Length follow- Length of lst} Length of Length of Length of Length of |straight line of} ing curve of metatarsal. second. third. fourth. fifth. longest proxi- | longest proxi- mal phalanx. | mal phalanx. | OB ize 1:85 390 | 3°80 3°63 | 3°45 2°75 3-14 | BGrsmdoet 1:92 3:83 3-78 3:63 332 | 275 3-15 i | Average 1-88 386. | 3-7 3-63 3:38 275 314, | DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES. PLATE XXXV._ Scapula of Simia. Fig. 1. Outer surface. Fig. 2. Internal surface. Fig. 5. Outer surface of the variety Morio. Fig. 4. Glenoid surface of the specimen No. 3 A in the British Museum. Fig. 5. Glenoid surface of the specimen No. 3 C in the same collection. In all the above figures the letters indicate respectively :—a, the avromian process ; c, the coracoid process; g, the glenoid surface; s, the triangular surface at the origin of the spine; ¢, the tubercle for the trapezoid ligament ; angle; v 2, the inferior vertebral angle. v1, the superior vertebral PLATE XXXVI. Humerus. Fig. 1. Anterior surface of the right humerus of the specimen No. 3 C in the British Museum. Fig. 2. Posterior surface of the same. Fig. 3. Outer surface of the humerus of the specimen No. 3 B. Fig. 4. Inner surface of the humerus of No. 3 A. Fig. 5. Superior surface of the humerus of No. 3 B. Fig. 6. The same of that of No. 3 C. Fig. 7. Distal surface of the humerus of No. 3 B. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 219 In these last six figures, a represents the articular head; 4, the bicipital groove ; ¢, rough surface, probably for the coraco-brachialis; d, the lesser, or ulnar, tuberosity ; é, the greater, or radial, tuberosity; /, the external condyle; m, the perforation in the coronoid fossa ; 0, the internal condyle; p, the capitellum; g, the trochlea; s, musculo- spiral groove. PLATE XXXVII. Clavicle and Radius. Fig. 1. Anterior surface of the right clavicle of the specimen No. 3C in the British Museum. Fig. 2. Superior surface of the same. Fig. 3. Inferior surface of the same. Fig. 4. Anterior surface of left clavicle of the variety Morio. In these figures, a@ represents the acromial end of the bone; e¢, the tubercle for the conoid ligament; d, the prominence for the deltoid; p, ridge probably for pectoralis major; 7, rough surface for costo-clavicular ligament; s, sternal end of the bone; t, ridge for trapezoid portion of coraco-clavicular ligament. Fig. 5. Anterior surface of the right radius of specimen No. 3 B. Fig. 6. Posterior surface of the same. Fig. 7. Posterior surface of distal end of the same, showing the grooves for the extensor tendons completely. Fig. 8. Distal surface of the same. a, process for the supinator longus; 6, tuberosity; f, the styloid process; 4, surface for ulna; fh, the surface for the scaphoides; %, groove for extensor ossis metacarpi pollicis ; 1, that for ex. carpi radialis longior ; m, that for the ex. carpi radialis brevior ; _ 0, that for the extensor secundi internodii pollicis; p, that for the eatensor communis digitorum; u, the surface for the semilunare. PLATE XXXVIII. U/lna. Fig. 1. Anterior aspect of right ulna of the specimen No. 3C. Fig. 2. Ulnar (or inner) aspect of the same. Fig. 3. Posterior aspect of the same. Fig. 4. Radial (or outer) aspect of the same. Fig. 5. Posterior surface of the olecranon of the same. Fig. 6. Side view of the distal end of No. 3 A. Fig. 7. Distal surface of ulna of No. 3 A. a, yadial or outer margin; 6, nutrient foramen; c, fossa for brachialis anticus; d, lesser sigmoid cavity; e, ridge running downwards and backwards from that cavity; f, surface for anconeus; g, greater sigmoid cavity; 4, the distal articular surface ; s, styloid process; «, ridge for attachment of pronator quadratus. 2H 2 220 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. PLATE XXXIX. Os innominatum. Outer aspect of right os innominatum of No. 3 C. Inner aspect of the same. Posterior aspect of the same. Fig. 4. Anterior aspect of the same. Fig. 5. Superior aspect of the same. Fig. 6. Inferior aspect of the same. a, anterior superior spinous process; 4, anterior inferior spinous process; ¢, posterior superior spinous process; d, posterior inferior spinous process; ¢@, ilio-pectineal line ; f cotyloid notch of acetabulum; g, greater sciatic notch ; h, spine of ischium; 7, lesser ez meats) Ae) a oe al sciatic notch; /, tuberosity of ischium; m, auricular surface; 0, obturator foramen ; p; spine of pubis; 7, subpubic groove; s, symphysis pubis. PLATE XL. Femur and Patella. Fig. 1. Anterior aspect of right femur of No. 3 B. Fig. 2. Posterior aspect of right femur of No. 3 A. Fig. 3. Inner (or tibial) aspect of the same. Fig. 4. Outer (or peroneal) aspect of the same. Fig. 5. Distal end of right femur of No. 3 B. Fig. 6. Proximal end of the same. Fig. 7. Articular head of femur of No. 3 I, in the British Museum, showing the presence of a pit as for the ligamentum teres. Fig. 8. Anterior surface of patella of No. 3 C. Fig. 9. Posterior surface of the same. a, articular head; 4, greater (or peroneal) trochanter; c, lesser (or tibial) trochanter ; d, posterior intertrochanteric line; e, anterior intertrochanteric line; f, its continuation as the “spiral line;” g, depression of the gluteus maximus; h, line leading down towards the entocondyloid prominence; 7, pit for ligamentum teres; k, ectocondyloid prominence; /, entocondyloid prominence; m, external condyle; x, internal condyle; 0, rotular surface; p, popliteal space; s, pit for popliteus. PLATE XLI. Tibia and Fibula. Fig. 1. Anterior aspect of right tibia and fibula of No. 3 C. Fig. 2. Posterior aspect of right tibia of No. 32, Z, 8. Fig. 3. Posterior aspect of right fibula of No. 3 I. Fig. 4. Internal (or tibial) aspect of right tibia of No. 5 A. Fig. 5. External (or peroneal) aspect of the same. Fig. 6. External aspect of right fibula No. 3 C. Fig. 7. Internal (or tibial) aspect of the same. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 221 Fig. 8. Proximal surface of right tibia No. 3 C. Fig. 9. Distal surface of the same. Fig. 10. Proximal end of right fibula of No. 3 C. Fig. 11. Distal end of the same. Fig. 12. Lateral view of proximal phalanx of index of pes. a, crest of tibia; 5, tubercle; c, external tuberosity; d, internal tuberosity; ¢, arti- cular surface for external condyle of femur; f, articular surface for internal condyle of femur; g, spine; h, groove behind spine; 7, pit for semimembranosus; k, upper surface of tibia for fibula; /, ridge leading downwards from the front of that surface ; m, ridge leading downwards from behind that surface; n, medullary foramen ; 9, internal malleolus; p, groove for tendons of tibialis posticus and flexor longus digitorum; q, axti- cular surface for superior face of astragalus; r, articular surface of malleolus; s, lower articular surface of tibia for fibula; ¢, process of head of fibula for biceps; wu, anterior margin of fibula; v, posterior external margin of fibula; w, posterior internal margin of fibula; 2, peroneal malleolus; y, medullary foramen; z, articular surface of fibula for tarsus, PLATE XLII. Manus. Fig. 1. Palmar surface of the manus No. 5076 in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, the bones of which are united by their ligaments only. . Left scaphoides of skeleton No. 3B in the British Museum: its proximal surface. Fig. 3. Distal surface of the same. Fig. 4. Dorsal (or extensor) surface of the same. a, surface for articulation with the radius; 0, radial tuberosity; c, surface for arti- culation with the semilunare; d, surface for the intermedium; ¢, that for the radial end of the intermedium ; f, that for the trapezium. Fig. 5. Left intermedium of No. 3B: first surface. Fig. 6. Second surface of the same. a, surface for articulation with the trapezoides; J, that for the magnum; ¢, ulnar end of the bone; d, its radial end; e, the process which projects over the junction of the intermedium with the scaphoides. Fig. 7. Left semilunare of No. 3 B: its radial side. Fig. 8. Ulnar side of the same. Fig. 9. Palmar side of the same. a, surface for articulation with the radius; 4, that for the scaphoides; c, that for the cuneiforme; d, that for the magnum. Fig. 10. Left cuneiforme of No. 3 B: its ulnar surface. Fig. 11. Radial surface of the same. a. Surface for articulation with the unciforme; 4, that for the pisiforme; ¢, groove bo Fig. 222, MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. separating these two surfaces; d, surface for the semilunare; e, that for the fibro- cartilage of the wrist-joint. Fig. 12. Left pisiforme of No. 3 B: its dorsal (or extensor) surface. Fig. 13. Palmar aspect of the same. Fig. 14. Its articular surface for the cuneiforme. Fig. 15. Left trapezium of No. 5 B: its outer (or extensor) surface. Fig. 16. The same aspect of the right trapezium of the skeleton No. 3 A in the British Museum, Fig. 17. Left trapezium of No. 3 B: its palmar surface. Fig. 18. The same aspect of the right trapezium of No. 3 A. Fig. 19. Left trapezium of No. 3 B: its proximal end. Fig. 20. Distal end of left trapezium of No. 3 B. a, saddle-shaped surface for articulation with first metacarpal; 6, surface for second metacarpal; ¢, surface for trapezoides; d, that for scaphoides. Fig. 21. Left trapezoides; its dorsal (or extensor) surface. Fig. 22. Distal surface of the same. Fig. 23. Proximal surface of the same. a, the larger (or ulnar) surface for articulation with the second metacarpal ; 0, smaller (or radial) surface for articulation with the same metacarpal; c, facet for the magnum ; d, surface for the intermedium. Fig. 24. Left magnum of No. 3 B: its dorsal surface. Fig. 25. Palmar surface of the same. Fig. 26. Radial aspect of the same. Fig. 27. Ulnar aspect of the same. Fig. 28. Distal surface of the same. a. notch on radial side of distal surface; 6, notch on ulnar side of the same surface; ce, palmar articular surface for second metacarpal; d, dorsal articular surface for the same metacarpal; e, surface for the trapezoides; ff’, surface for the unciforme. Fig. 29. Left unciforme of No. 3 B: its dorsal surface. Fig. 50. Palmar surface of the same. Fig. 51. Radial aspect of the same. Fig. 32. Ulnar aspect of the same. Fig. 33. Distal surface of the same. a, its palmar process; 6 0’, articular surface for the magnum; c¢, that for the cuneiforme. Fig. 34. Proximal surfaces of the four ulnar metacarpals of the left manus of the skeleton No. 3 B. g. 55. Dorsum of first metacarpal of the same manus. Fig. 36. Radial side of the same (first) metacarpal. 37. Dorsal aspect of second metacarpal of the same manus. MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 223 Fig. 38. Palmar aspect of the same metacarpal. Fig. 39. Radial side of proximal end of same. Fig. 40. Ulnar side of proximal end of the same. a, tubercle for the fleaor carpi radialis; b, groove between the two surfaces for the third metacarpal. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. a, 41. Dorsum of third metacarpal of the same manus. 2. Palmar aspect of the same metacarpal. 3. Radial aspect of proximal end of the same. . 44. Ulnar aspect of proximal end of the same. radio-proximal angle of dorsum. bo Im OF Re OO . 45. Dorsum of fourth metacarpal of same manus. . 46. Palmar aspect of the same metacarpal. . 47. Radial aspect of proximal end of the same. ig. 48. Ulnar aspect of proximal end of the same. . 49. Dorsum of fifth metacarpal of the same manus. . 50. Palmar aspect of the same metacarpal. . 91. Radial aspect of proximal end of the same. PLATE XLIII. Pes. Plantar aspect of the pes No. 5079 in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, the bones of which are united by the ligaments only. Right os calcis of skeleton No. 3 B in the British Museum: its peroneal aspect. Tibial aspect of the same. Anterior (distal) aspect of the same. Posterior-aspect of the same. Dorsum of the same. Plantar surface of the same. anterior articular surface for astragalus; 0, posterior articular surface for astra- galus; ¢, funnel-shaped cavity of articular surface for cuboides; d, tubercle for external lateral ligament; e, antero-posterior groove above the last. Fig. 8. Dorsum of right astragalus of No. 3 B. Fig. 9. Plantar surface of the same. Fig. 10. Tibial aspect of the same. Fig. Fig. im Fig. 12 13 . Peroneal aspect of the same. . Anterior (distal) aspect of the same. . Posterior aspect of the same. a, neck; 6, articular surface for naviculare; ¢, surface for tibial malleolus; @, groove behind the last; e, rounded surface posterior to the groove; f, surface for peroneal 224 MR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. malleolus; g, groove for flexor tendon; h, anterior articular surface for os calcis; 7, pos- terior articular surface for os calcis; 4, groove for astragalo-calcaneal ligament. Fig. 14. Right naviculare of No. 3B: its anterior (distal) aspect. Fig. 15. Tibial aspect of the same. Fig. 16. Peroneal aspect of the same. a, surface for entocuneiforme and mesocuneiforme; 6, surface for ectocuneiforme ; c, articular facet for cuboides; d, rough surface of peroneal side of bone; e, tuberosity. Fig. 17. Right cuboides of No. 3B: its dorsum. Fig. 18. Its plantar surface. Fig. 19. Anterior (distal) surface of the same bone. Fig. 20. Tibial aspect of the same. Fig. 21. Proximal aspect of the same. a, surface for fourth metatarsal; 4, surface for fifth metatarsal; c, pivot-like process of tibio-plantar angle; d, ridge of plantar surface ; é, articular surface for ectocuneiforme ; f, articular surface for naviculare; g, groove for tendon of peroneus longus. Fig, 22. Left entocuneiforme of No. 3 B: its anterior (distal) aspect. Fig. 23. Peroneal aspect of the same bone. Fig. 24. Tibial aspect of the same. Fig. 25. The same bone seen from above. Fig. 26. Tibial side of right entocuneiforme of the skeleton No. 3C. a, articular surface for first metatarsal; 6, articular surface for the second metatarsal ; c, surface between the articular surfaces for the first two metatarsals; d, surface for mesocuneiforme; é, surface for naviculare. Fig. 27. Right mesocuneiforme of No. 3 B: its dorsum. Fig. 28. Tibial aspect of the same bone. Fig. 29. Peroneal aspect of the same. Fig. 50. Anterior (distal) surface of the same. Fig. 31. Posterior surface of the same. a, articular surface for metatarsal; 6, articular surface for naviculare; ce, articular surface for entocuneiforme; d, articular surface for ectocuneiforme. Fig. 32. Right ectocuneiforme of No. 3B: its dorsum. Fig. 33. Tibial aspect of the same. Fig. 34. Peroneal aspect of the same. Fig. 35. Anterior (distal) surface of the same. Fig. 56. Posterior aspect of the same. a, articular surface for metatarsal; 6, articular surface for naviculare; c, facet for mesocuneiforme; d, articular surface for cuboides. Fig. 37. Proximal surfaces of the four peroneal metatarsals of the left pes of the skeleton No. 3B. a, facet for entocuneiforme. iw te MR, ST. G. MIVART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. Fig. 38. Dorsum of first metatarsal of No. 3 B. Fig. 39. Lateral view of the same metatarsal. a, process for attachment of tendon of peronwus longus. Fig. 40. Dorsal aspect of second left metatarsal of the same skeleton. Fig. 41. Plantar aspect of the same metatarsal. Fig. 42. Tibial side of proximal end of the same. Fig, 45. Peroneal side of proximal end of the same. a, articular facet for entocuneiforme; 4, 6', articular facets for third metatarsal. Fig. 44. Dorsal aspect of third left metatarsal of the same skeleton. Fig. 45. Plantar aspect of the same. Fig. 46. Tibial aspect of proximal end of tie same. Fig. 47. Peroneal aspect of proximal end of the same. Fig. 48. Dorsal aspect of fourth left metatarsal of the same skeleton. Vig. 49. Plantar aspect of the same. . Fig. 50. Tibial aspect of proximal end of the same. Fig. 51. Peroneal aspect of proximal end of the same. Fig. 52. Dorsal aspect of fifth left metatarsal of the same skeleton. Fig. 55. Plantar aspect of the same. Fig. 54. Tibial aspect of proximal end of the same. te) a, tuberosity. VOL. VI.—PART IV. ; > dae & a = h ~ ilfos ?- jou ~ f= 4 4 " ersy gs . _ Is Me See a ‘s is nee Se er PA ci oe To-efih HAZ mio a la. imp M&N Hanhart * < o % — i ER SS ———————— dott Q@eUTEH NY} aunts tp Asteany $y, ss ho Mer A’ Or ia arth rg RE ry del* ei dint qumuprer NeW “unt ya’ ap AsTseM HM UP AY HN a ee sail pos i = ‘ Wa ” . “aon: 7 S74 ‘ Mead i : thay ; * a a ~~ MEN ; " s by a6 v “ © , : i . - » 4 . ; 3 a: ? 5 . i a ’ ; _ 4 - i] . an ‘ ., : Pugs w > —~ -- . a ka + ‘ 4 ah oe ~ ae + - : i Pt . _ r . “ be 7 oes —_ >= I ey 2 + r = ‘ ~ r . . « ‘ = = - rg « we 7 L. > / is as : 4 , =| ad ~* - 4 M&N Hanhart imp W.H Wesley del et ith = NSC Gs du: 4 {TEU {ure HN SW UT 92 ale +Karsoyy + [ep 4 I= H M ties Scene eR M&NE ‘ . 5 ae < sy i ‘ = ¥ r , ‘ + r ‘ > ‘ ‘ Cart bo bo ~I ee X. Description of the Remains of three extinct Species of Elephant, collected by Capt. Spratt, C.B., R.N., in, the Ossiferous Cavern of Zebbug, in the Island of Malta. By Grorce Busx, RS. ; partly from the Notes of the late H. Fauconsr, M.D., F.RS. Read June 27th, 1865. [Prates XLIV. to LIIT.] § I. Introductory. IN the following observations I have confined myself principally to the anatomical characters of certain proboscidian remains which were collected some years since (1859) by Captain Spratt, C.B., R.N., at that time in command of H.M. Surveying Ship ‘ Medina,’ in an ossiferous cavern some distance inland in the Island of Malta, under circumstances which will be fully detailed by that gentleman elsewhere *. As any extended geological account of the locality would be here out of place, it will suffice for the present occasion to state, from information supplied by Captain Spratt, that the cavern in question is situated on the north side of a rocky valley separating the town or casal of Zebbug from another town about a mile distant, called Siggieni. The cavern, when first opened, was filled to the roof with yellow and grey sandy clay, and it had no stalagmitic floor. Amidst this deposit, which had evidently been washed in by water, were numerous fragments of bones and teeth of at least two species of Elephant, manifestly widely distinct in size, some of the bones indicating an animal of very dwarf dimensions, as compared with all other known forms, recent or extinct. Besides these elephant-remains, those of other apparently extinct animals were also met with, all mingled with subangular but not waterworn fragments of the limestone rock. The cavern ran nearly horizontally from the face of the ravine or inland cliff, having a short branch terminating in a small chamber. It varied in height from 43 to 5}, and in width from 14 to 23 feet. Amongst the other bones associated with those of the Elephant were many of aquatic Birds, and especially of a large extinct species of Swan (Cygnus falconeri, Park.), a few jaws and other bones of perhaps more than one species of Dormouse, one of which * Since this paper was read, Captain Spratt has communicated a paper on the “Geological relations of the Zebbug Cavern,” which will be found in the 23rd volume of the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society (1867). Two Reports, also, on other ossiferous Cayerns in Malta, in which numerous remains of Elephants and other animals have been collected by Dr. Leith Adams, haye appeared in the Reports of the British Association for 1865 and 1866; and I should also state that Dr. Leith Adams, who has been for some years indefatigable in his re- searches in the caves and fissures of Malta, has made an immense collection, more especially of Elephantine remains, an account of which, when they have been more fully worked out, will add very considerably to our knowledge of the various species, and more especially, as it seems to me, of the largest one, and of Z. melitensis. —June, 1867. VOL. VI.—PART VY. 2k 228 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF was of gigantic size (Myoxus melitensis, Falc.), and, together with these, numerous remains of a land Tortoise, not as yet fully determined. It should be mentioned also that, in several other localities in the island, caverns of asimilar character have been discovered, containing chiefly bones of one or more species of Hippopotamus unmixed with those of the Elephant, and regarded by Captain Spratt, for certain geological reasons, as having been introduced into the caverns and fissures at a somewhat earlier period than those of the proboscidian pachyderm. The occurrence of such abundant remains of large herbivorous mammals in so limited a spot as the present Island of Malta, taken in conjunction with other consi- derations of a geographical or, rather, hydrographical nature noticed by Captain Spratt, indicates beyond all doubt a former connexion of a very close nature with the African continent, and also points to the former existence in the site of the Maltese Islands of extensive currents of fresh water. It consequently becomes an extremely in- teresting problem to determine, with as much accuracy as the materials will allow, the zoological relations of these quaternary pachyderms to those at present existing, and also to those which have either been contemporary with them in other parts, or may have preceded them in order of time in the Mediterranean region. The latter question, however, is one of such great magnitude, and so much more purely of paleontological interest, that, even were I able to do it justice, which is wholly out of my power, I should not here attempt to enter upon it—leaving its solution to more competent hands, to whom the present paper may, perhaps, be of some assistance. With respect to the other extinct animals associated with the Maltese Elephants in the Zebbug cavern, I am happy to say that the determination of the birds, and more especially the description of Cygnus falconeri, has been undertaken by Mr. W. K. Parker, F.R.S., whilst there is reason to hope, from a letter from Dr. Leith Adams which I find amongst Dr. Falconer’s notes, that the Gigantic Dormouse will find an able historian in him, who has met with the remains of that genus in extreme abun- dance in other localities in the island, in the exploration of which he is at present engaged, with the promise of the most fruitful results *. Captain Spratt’s valuable collections were originally committed by him to Dr. Falconer, whose irreparable loss we recently had so deeply to deplore; and a short notice respecting them was given, by him and Captain Spratt, to the Geological Section of the British Association, at the Cambridge Meeting in 1862. In this commu- nication (a mere notice only of which appears in the published volume of Reports), Dr. Falconer announced the discovery, among these remains, of those of a diminutive or ‘“pigmy ” species of Elephant, for which he proposed the name of Elephas melitensis. ” * The account of the Gigantic Fossil Dormouse, which was anticipated at the time this paper was read, has since been furnished by Dr. Leith Adams, and is given below, p. 307. That of Cygnus falconeri is already pub- lished, anted, p. 119. THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 229 Naturally much struck with such an extraordinary deviation from the otherwise univer- sally received conception of the proboscidians as animals of colossal size, Dr. Falconer entered upon the study of its remains with his usual zeal; and he appears to have con- templated the presentation to the Royal Society of a paper on the subject, including observations on the Mediterranean Cave-fauna generally,—a design the non-execution of which by such a man cannot be too deeply regretted. But, so far as I have been able to trace in his notes, he has left behind him no record of observations upon any of the bones except the teeth, doubtless having reserved the remainder for subsequent study. With respect to the teeth, however, he has left some very interesting and important remarks, the substance of which, and, so far as is possible, the words, will be recorded in the following pages. Since the decease of Dr. Falconer, the collection of remains from the Zebbug Cave has been placed in my hands by Captain Spratt, with a request that I would undertake the completion of the task left unaccomplished by that distinguished paleontologist. This I have endeavoured to perform, though haud pari passu, and fully sensible of the loss that science has sustained from the change of hands into which the description has fallen, and especially since the only assistance I can derive from the notes of my la- mented friend is, as I stated, on the subject of the teeth; but, in addition to these notes, I would remark that Dr. Falconer had had careful drawings made by Mr. Dinkel of some of the principal bones, under his own inspection, some of which will form part of the illustrations appended to this paper. Under the circumstances, therefore, it is scarcely necessary to observe that I am alone responsible for nearly the whole of the descriptive part, so far as it relates to the bones of the skeleton, and that any errors or misconceptions contained in it must be laid to my charge alone. It is proper also to mention that Dr. Leith Adams has, for the last year or more, been engaged in the exploration of fossiliferous caverns iv various parts of Malta, and has been very successful in procuring abundant elephantine remains, both large and small, the examination of which will, doubtless, in his hands, supply maay deficiencies in the account I now venture to lay before the Society. Captain Spratt’s collection of proboscidian bones and teeth is very considerable ; but a great part of it is made up of broken and often much-rolled fragments; still among the remainder are several well-marked and characteristic specimens of many of the more important bones, and a very fine collection of milk- and permanent teeth in excellent preservation. When I began to arrange the collection for examination, I found, to iny extreme surprise, that it apparently comprised the remains of not less than three distinct species of Elephant—two of diminutive, and one of tolerably large dimensions. With the presence of the latter form, I was aware that both Dr. Falconer and Captain Spratt were acquainted ; but neither of them were, I believe, at all cognizant of the existence 2k 2 230 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF of more than one dwarf species. Further attentive examination and comparison of the bones has only served to confirm this impression ; and I hope in the following pages to be able to show that the Zebbug proboscidian remains, strange as it may seem, embrace those of not less than three species, two of which must be regarded as pigmy or dwarf forms (though one probably exceeded the other in size), whilst the larger one equalled in stature the smaller forms of the existing African or Asiatic species. It will doubtless be regarded as a remarkable circumstance that the distinction between the two smaller forms should have escaped the penetrating and long-experienced eye of Dr. Falconer ; but I think this may be readily explained by the consideration that, so far as his notes show, he had not as yet entered upon the critical study of the bones of the skeleton, but had confined himself to that of the teeth alone, parts to which, as is well known, he attached such paramount importance in the study of the Proboscidia, And I have little doubt that, had he lived to resume his investigation of the Maltese fossils, which for the last two years or more had been completely interrupted by the attention he had devoted to the fossil remains from Gibraltar, he would, on turning to the bones of the skeleton, have become aware of the existence of more than one “ pigmy” Elephant. But under the circumstances, and having convinced myself of the existence of two such forms, I have felt some doubt as to the names that should be given to them. Both cannot of course be LE. melitensis of Falconer; and I propose therefore to limit that name to the larger of the two small forms, and to designate the other by the name of one to whom palontology, especially as regards fossil proboscidia, is so deeply indebted, and to term it E. falconeri. As regards the large form associated with E. melitensis and E. falconeri, there are not in the present collection, as it appears to me, sufficient materials for the drawing of an accurate comparison between it and several other extinct species; and I shall therefore not venture at present to suggest any name for it, preferring to leave this in suspense until better-marked remains of its teeth and other parts may justify its being either referred to some already described species, or distinguished definitively from all with which we are at present acquainted. Reasons will perhaps be apparent, in what follows, for the suggestion that it may be identical with EH. antiquus; but the evidence as yet in our possession is far too scanty to allow of this being affirmed with any degree of certainty *. The collection, I would remark, is made up partly of the bones of adult, and partly of those of young or even, perhaps, foetal animals; and these immature bones, like the mature ones, are plainly divisible into three sets, each of which it is fair to assume belongs to one or other of the adult forms indicated by the mature bones. No diffi- culty, of course, exists in referring the young bones of the large form to their proper place ; but with respect to the other two, owing to their much nearer correspondence in size, the question of allotment is not so easily settled, and I am quite willing to believe * Vide note, p. 227. THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 231 that any determinations I have made in this matter are open to future rectification. I have, however, in the following paper thought that it would be most convenient to consider what I regard as the remains of each species separately, in its mature and im- mature states, and I shall therefore commence with the large species. § Il. Exepuas, sp.? (Plates XLIV., XLV.). There are between twenty and thirty fragments of bones belonging to an Elephant of considerable size, which in fact may be judged to have attained nearly, if not quite, eight feet in height. But of these fragments there are only three or four which it will be necessary or useful to describe in any detail. ‘The remainder consist of various-sized irregular fragments of long and flat bones, including the cranium and pelvis, which are too imperfect to allow them to be turned to any useful purpose, The more readily identifiable portions of the adult skeleton consist only of (1) the symphysial portion of the lower jaw, (2) a large portion of the head of the left (?) humerus, and (3) a nearly complete spine of probably the 17th or 18th dorsal yertebra. Beside these may be briefly noticed:—a large fragment of a femur, appa- rently of even greater proportional dimensions than the other bones; a considerable fragment of the spinous process of another dorsal vertebra; and a considerable frag- ment of a tusk near the base. 1. Of these, by far the most important fragment is the portion of the lower jaw (Pl. XLIV, fig. 1). It is evidently that of a mature, if not aged, animal; and it consists of the entire symphysis, and a portion of the ramus on either side, about 4 inches in length, measured along the lower border. ‘The upper border on each side is broken off on a level with the large mental foramen and canal, which is thus represented on either side by a shal- low groove, more than 0:5 in width. The rostrum, or prolonged beak of the symphysis, if it existed, is broken off, the fracture extending chiefly to the left side. The fractured sur- face looks asif it were in part of ancient, and in part of recent date; and there are several other marks on the under surface of the bone, which show that it has been recently sub- jected to rough usage with a sharpish or pointed instrument, probably a pickaxe or geolo- gical hammer, Owing to the circumstance that the fracture at the apex of the symphysis is chiefly on the left side, the right border of the symphysial gutter remains almost entire, as does also a considerable portion of the left border above and behind the broken part ; an accurate measure, therefore, of the width of the gutter can be taken, and its exact form perceived, whilst at the same time the angle at which its borders descend can be determined. The width of the gutter at the highest point at which it can be measured, and nearly on a level with the mental foramen, is about 2". and its borders descend in front almost vertically downwards, as in Elephas primigenius and in old E. indicus. As before said, it is extremely doubtful, from the appearance of the borders of the gutter, whether there was any rostral prolongation whatever. The depth of the symphysis, measured in a vertical direction from the bottom of the symphysial gntter, 252 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF is 2'-15. In two lower jaws of a mature African Elephant, at the College of Surgeons, the width of the symphysial gutter at the same point as in the Maltese fossil is 2'-6, and in a third (female) 2:3. In the Indian Elephant the mean width of the gutter at the same point is about 1-9, varying from 18 to 2"-0. As regards the width of this part alone, therefore, the Maltese specimen would seem to correspond more closely with the Asiatic than with the African species; but in the former the vertical depth of the symphysis is about 3-5, and in the African 2-7 ; so that, as compared with either of these species, the symphysial gutter is wider in the Maltese specimen in proportion to the depth of the symphysis. But when compared with a very perfect mandible of £. primigenius in the College of Surgeons, the width of the gutter is precisely the same, viz. 2”-0, and the depth of the symphysis also pretty nearly equal. Consequently we may conclude, so far as such a character will allow us, that the Maltese large Elephant had, as regards the mandible, more of the characters of H. primigenius than of either of the existing species. The mental foramen, which, as has been said, must have been about 07:5 in diameter, is placed about 1-0 behind the edge of the symphysial gutter. The distance between the two openings in a transverse line is about 2-7, whilst in the Indian Elephant the corresponding distance is about 4-0, and in the African 670; whilst in the Mammoth already referred to it is 68. It may here be remarked that the mental foramina are placed much nearer the border of the gutter in the Indian than in the African species, or, I believe, than in the Mammoth ; consequently in their comparatively distant position from the edge in the Maltese fossil, the latter approaches the African more than the Indian Elephant. From the very obtuse angle at which the rami meet at the symphysis (nearly 90°) it may be concluded that the jaw was broad and short. There are no vestiges of any alveolar cavities. 2. The next well-marked fragment is a large portion of the articular head of the humerus. The remains of the antero-posterior arc of the articular surface indicate that it formed the segment of a circle having a radius of 2'-8, and, in the transverse direction, of 2"-7. The antero-posterior diameter of the head may therefore, in accordance with what obtains in the humerus of other Elephants, be regarded as nearly 6". In the table of measurements given by Cuvier* the diameter of the head of the humerus in an adult female Indian Elephant about 9 feet high (2™:76) is stated to be 7-28 (0™185), and the length of the humerus 32"87 (0"'835); whilst in a young but well-grown African Elephant in the British Museum the corresponding measures are 8" and 36"; in a still younger (but not very young) specimen of the Sumatran Elephant they are 5-2 and 28’-2; and in a very fine and perfect humerus of E. primigenius, in the British Museum, they are 7-3 and 32". According to these measurements the proportionate diameter of the head to the length of the entire humerus would stand in the respective cases as follows :— * Ossem. fossiles, 4™° éd. 1834, 8vo, tom. i. p. 504. THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 233 Bs africanus) (VOUng) 3.2 20-2 cn-ies eae caer aos 1 to 4:00 PP abOsews (LEMMAS) Mi caerah clade hace ehoebtesnee (ol 1 ,, 4:53 By qndieus (Sumatra) .32.04...cked siteaweelae 2a: ej 042 EL Primagenius oc. ssenccveccerensenewntensncees etc) ( From this we may probably consider that the usual length of the entire humerus in a fully grown mature Elephant is rather more than four times (4:3) the antero-posterior diameter of the head. In the young animal, in which the head has probably not attained its full size, the length would seem to be greater in proportion. From these data as compared with those afforded in Cuvier’s table, it may be concluded that in all pro- bability the Maltese Elephant to which the above-mentioned fragment belonged was about 8 feet high. 3. A third well-characterized bone, belonging apparently to an animal of the same pro- portions, is the nearly entire spinous process of the 17th or 18th dorsal vertebra (fig. 2). ‘The fragment is 5-6 long ; and the neural spine itself measures along the anterior border 5"2, and along the posterior 4-7. Its smallest antero-posterior diameter is 1-3, and at the base 2":3. Its least tr. d. is 0:5; and the ap. d. of the expanded outer end 1-65. It is grooved behind for about half its length, whilst the anterior edge is acute nearly throughout. The right articular facet is present and entire ; it measures 1"-2* in length, by 0'-9 in breadth, and it is of an oblong form. ‘The corresponding spinous process in the African Elephant (No. 708, B.M.) with which comparison has before been made, measures 5'5 along the anterior, and 3-8 along the posterior border, its least ap. d. being 1-2, and at the base 3-7, the least tr. d. 1-0, and ap. d. 3'"8, at distal end 15. Of the teeth of this species, I have been able to detect only innumerable fragments of the tusks, which from their size must be referred to an animal of considerable bulk. The majority of these are too imperfect for description; but amongst them is a fragment, nearly five inches long, of the solid part of a tusk, 2’°8 in diameter. The fragment has been split off nearly down the middle ; and the interior is thus shown to be quite solid; the portion, therefore, of the tusk to which it belonged was some distance above the base, which must have been greater in circumference. It is also to be ob- served that the outer surface of the fragment is strongly sulcate, showing that the outer- most layer or layers have been removed ; we may conclude, therefore, that the fragment does not represent the real diameter of the tusk, which may consequently be regarded as having been of considerable size, and quite commensurate with an animal 8 feet high or more. Among the immature bones, are two well-marked fragments which, from their size appear to belong to the young of the same species as that whose remains have just been described. The portions in question are—(1) a left exoccipital, and (2) a con- siderable portion of the shaft of the left femur. The exoccipital bone (figs. 3 and 4, Pl. XLIV.) corresponds pretty nearly in size, and * This facet appears much too small in the figure, owing probably to its having been drawn foreshortened, 234 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF entirely in the appearance of the surface of the bone, with that of a young African Elephant in the British Museum, in which specimen all the bones of the cranium and face are perfectly separate; and in the lower jaw the 3rd molar is in full wear, no vestiges remaining of the 2nd molar. The dimensions of the two bones are as under :— Taste I.—Measurements* of Exoccipital Bone, in Maltese and African Elephants. | | Width be- | Height or | tween bor. | Length wrath of basi. Thickness Foe, ene greatest [Breadth of| ders of eon- of basiocci- occipital syn- | TeB1ON | 7g ati- | con dyloid length of exoccipital.| dyloid fossa | Pital syn- | Ghondrosis, | of mastoid | rele exoccipital at foramen |chondrosis. [\cellss4: +] CUBE San: aren ‘| | face. surface. | magnum. | | Young African Ele- ) | z 2 é eae 4: 35 16 19 95 13 22 1:35 phant, No. 708, B.M. { z Young Multese fossil. 47 39 16 18 ot el reetiag 2°35 | 155 ] | | It will thus be seen that in general dimensions and proportions the two bones are remarkably alike; but they present certain differences, which would appear, as I think, clearly to indicate that they belong to different species. In the first place, notwithstanding the apparent similarity of age, it al be observed that the fossil is very much thicker in the part occupied by the paramastoid cells, and that the proportions of the condyloid articular surface are not the same. But the most striking distinction consists in the circumstance that, in the African Elephant, the cerebellar fossa is very concave or deep, and that the sulcus for the lateral sinus is also very deep, and separated from the opening of the paramastoid cells by a sort of vertical wall; whilst in the Maltese fossil the cerebellar fossa is only slightly hollowed, and there is scarcely any trace of a sulcus for the lateral sinus. And in another very young (or perhaps fcetal) cranium of the African Elephant (No. 7087, B.M.), in an exoccipital having a greatest diameter of 57:1, and least of 2-9, the sulcus for the lateral sinus is quite as well marked as in the above,—whence it may be concluded that this character is not dependent upon age, and may probably be relied upon as indicating a distinction between the Maltese form and EF. africanus. I have not had an opportunity of comparing the exoccipital of the Indian Elephant of the same age. In the young African Elephant the opening into the paramastoid cells is tri- angular, and a transverse septum may be observed within, dividing the main cavity into two primary loculaments, of which the posterior is shallow, and the anterior very deep, communicating at the bottom with two deeper cells. In the Maltese fossil the same primary division into two chambers is observable; but the slender trabecular septum between them is absent, and replaced simply by an angular ridge. It should be re- marked in addition, that in the African species the concavity or sulcus above the condyle is much deeper than in the Maltese, and that the curve of that part of the foramen magnum which is formed by the exoccipital is different in the two cases. * Throughout this paper the measures are given in inches and tenths. THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 235 The portion of the shaft of a femur (fig. 5) like the exoccipital, and probably belonging to the same animal, presents all the external characters of a very young bone. It is broken at either end at some distance from the epiphysial termination. The entire fragment measures 8”-4 in length, and its least tr. d. is 2-15, and least cireumference 5-9. In a young L. indicus in the British Museum, in which all the epiphyses are separate, and the ossification of the articular ends themselves very incomplete, the length of the shaft is 21”, the least tr. d. 2:4, and the least circumference 6-7. In general form the two bones resemble each other very closely, except that in the Maltese fossil the posterior surface rises more into an angle than it does in the other, in which it is uni- formly rounded and even. The nutrient foramen in both is on the inner side, about the junction, as it may be estimated, of the upper and middle third, or a good way above the middle of the bone, whilst in the African species it is much lower down; and this I am inclined to believe will be found a constant and not unimportant character. At any rate, so far as it goes, it further tends to show a distinction between the Maltese and existing African species. Besides the above bones belonging to the largest of the three Maltese forms, there are numerous fragments of others, most of them apparently of an old animal or animals, and including portions of the cranium, pelvis, and of some of the larger long bones. All manifestly indicate a species of comparatively large size; but as they afford no special characters, I have not thought it necessary to enter into further details respecting them. § ILI. ELeraas MELITENSIS. Bones or fragments of bones belonging to the larger of the two dwarf species of Elephant to which I have assigned the name of E. melitensis constitute a very consi- derable part of the collection. They are exceedingly numerous; but amongst them are very many much broken and scarcely recognizable portions of the cranium, with respect to some of which it is impossible to determine whether they belong to this or to the next species. But, as in their present condition these broken fragments offer no distinctive characters, their determination is not a matter of any great importance. The remaining fragments amply suffice at any rate to indicate the comparative bulk and many of the distinctive characters of EL. melitensis. Separating the mature from the immature bones, and excluding the teeth, there are about 18 fragments which it will be necessary to describe :— These are:—(1 & 2) portions of the right ascending ramus of the mandible; (3) the right half of the atlas; (4,5, & 6) the 7th cervical, 7th dorsal, and 3rd lumbar ver- tebre ; (7) the neural spine of one of the anterior dorsal vertebra ; (8, 8*) the proximal end, including the head of the second rib on the right side, and a portion of the body of one of the larger ribs; (9) a portion of the left scapula; (10) the nearly entire head and part of the shaft of the right humerus; (11) a small fragment of the articular VOL. VI.—PART Y. 21 236 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF head of the humerus (side uncertain) ; (12) the upper end, minus the olecranon of the right ulna; (13) a detached olecranon of the left ulna; (14) a fragment of the shaft of the left ulna; (15) a portion of the right os innominatum, including part of the aceta- bulum; (16) a portion of the articular head of the femur; (17) a great part of the shaft of the right femur; (18) the lower end of the left tibia. 1. Bones of Cranium and Face. The ascending ramus of the mandible in the Elephant appears to afford very dis- tinctive characters, at any rate between the African and Indian species; and the ac- quisition, therefore, of a considerable portion of this part of the skeleton of E. melitensis is of great value. The two fragments both belong to the same side. They are of exactly the same dimensions, and, so far as they can be compared, of the same age, and that probably of a fully mature animal in which the third molar had advanced into the horizontal ramus. The larger of the two fragments (Pl. XLVII. fig. 15) is about 4’”-6 long, and about 2:2 in ap. d. at the lower part, or at about three inches below the upper border of the dental foramen. The condyle or head appears to have been broken off through the smallest part of the neck ; and this is at a level of about an inch above the middle, or thereabouts, of the dental foramen. ‘The bone is broken on the external border at this part, so that the entire width or tr. d. of the neck cannot be determined; but it may be estimated at about 13. The ap. d. of the ramus ona level with the lowest part of the dental foramen is 1-7. The posterior or, rather, interior angle is rather acute, and it descends evenly till the angularity merges in the inner surface of the bone about 1""5 below the dental foramen; immediately exterior to this angular border the surface presents a shallow sulcus, bounded on the outside by a second ridge, beyond which the posterior and outer surface is flattened or slightly concave. The anterior, and internal angle is somewhat acute, especially at the lower part. The anterior surface is too much broken to demand any special description; but it may be remarked that the peculiar pock-like pitting which is exhibited on that surface within the base of the coronoid process in all Elephants, but which is much more pronounced in the African than in the Indian species, is very well shown in the jaw of E. melitensis. As these markings represent a muscular insertion, their distinctness in the present case is an additional indication, if the proof were required, that the bone was that of a mature animal. The inner surface is concave, and presents at the upper part the inferior dental foramen. As nearly as can be estimated, this opening is about 1” in ap.d. It is very oblique; and the inferior margin is interrupted by a deep and wide fissure. The anterior border is very thick, the posterior very acute. Compared with the corresponding part of the mandible in the African and Indian Elephants, that of E. melitensis exhibits striking peculiarities beyond its size, though on the whole its resemblance may be said to lean much more towards the African than THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 237 towards the Indian type. In order to make this plain, it will be as well to point out one or two of the differences which exist in this part of the skeleton between the two existing species. In the first place, as above remarked, the inner and posterior angle of the neck in the African Elephant descends evenly till it is lost, below the level of the dental foramen, in the general surface of the ramus; at most it exhibits, in older animals, a slight roughness about the level of the dental foramen. But in tne Indian Elephant, of all ages, this border or angle, at about the level of that foramen pro- jects into a distinct sort of crochet, which, as it were, protects the dental foramen from behind. This striking difference of form, seen on viewing the ascending ramus of the mandible, between the Indian and African species, is shown in the accompanying woodcuts *, The tr. d. of the neck at the smallest part, as compared with that of the condyle, is rather less in the African than in the Indian species. In two specimens in which the comparison was made, the tr. d. of the head in the Indian Elephant was 4", and that of the neck 1-9; whilst in the African the head was 3-7 in tr. d., and the neck 1/-5. In general form also, a considerable difference may be remarked. Viewed laterally, the ascending ramus in the African Elephant is more rounded than in the Indian, in which it is comparatively straight in the vertical direction. The coronoid process rises much higher, in fact nearly to the level of the condyle, in the Indian Elephant; and its anterior border is nearly vertical, which in the African overhangs yery much, and is at the same time much thicker and rougher, whilst it descends very rapidly from the condyle to a level considerably below it. A striking difference is also seen in the configuration of the dental foramen. In the Indian Elephant this orifice looks, as it were, directly upwards, owing to the distinct elevation of the inner border, which forms, in fact, a sort of spine or projection opposite to the posterior crochet above described, the border of the opening between these two points being interrupted by a deep angular notch. In the African Elephant the dental foramen, which is pro- * A. EB. indicus. B. E. africanus. 2L2 238 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF portionately also of much larger size, isso much bevelled off below as to look, as it were, directly inwards instead of upwards; and the anterior and lower borders are thin and continuous. Several other distinctions might be pointed out ; but the above are sufficient for the purpose of comparison with the jaw of E. melitensis. ‘This will be found to exhibit the comparatively slender neck, and the obliquely bevelled dental foramen of the African, together with the absence of any posterior crochet, the presence of which is so strikingly characteristic of the Indian species. But it differs from the African in the presence of the sulcus on the posterior border, in the much thickened anterior margin of the dental foramen, and in the deep emargination of its lower border. With respect to comparative dimensions, it may be stated that the tr. d. of the ramus on a level with the middle of the foramen, in the African Elephant, is 4"°3, and in E. melitensis 1-8; so that the general dimensions of the bone may be taken at about half those of the African species. 2. Bones of the Trunk. 1. The portion of the atlas (Pl. XLVII. fig. 12) is unfortunately very imperfect ; and what remains is much injured, presenting some appearance of its having been gnawed. It consists of the right half, including the entire superior and the greater part of the inferior articular surfaces. The transverse process is broken off, leaving only a deep and wide sulcus to represent the foramen for the vertebral artery, but which is continued into a perfect posterior condyloid foramen. ‘The ap. d. of the fragment, which is probably pretty nearly that of the entire bone, is about 35. The ap. d. of the superior articular facet is 2-5, and its tr. d. about 1”8. The inferior facet is not sufficiently complete to admit of accurate measurement. ‘The greatest height of the bone, measured just behind the roof of the transverse process, is 2!-4; the diameter of the posterior condyloid canal about 0-4 *. In a young Indian Elephant (No. 2678, C. 8.) the ap. d. of the condyloid facet is 4", and its tr. d. 3", the former being nearly, and the latter exactly, twice the corresponding measures in E, melitensis. In a vather younger specimen of the Indian Elephant, termed £. swmatrensis, in the British Museum, the same measurements are 3!-3 and 2'-4 respectively ; and in an African Elephant of mature age, 4"-7 and 3'-2. In the latter instance a considerable difference is apparent in the form of the facet. In E. indicus (vax. swmatrensis) the surface is kidney-shaped, having a deep sinus on the inner border, whilst in E. africanus that border is entire; but I am not aware that this difference exists in all cases between the India and African species. 2. The seventh cervical vertebra (P]. XLVI. fig. 9) isa beautifully perfect specimen of that important and highly characteristic element of the vertebral column. Its principal dimensions, contrasted with those of the same bone in an African Elephant, and in the B. M. specimen of E. swmatrensis, are as follows :— * Other fragments of the atlas of this species are shown in PI. LI. fig. 35, and, as I believe, but am not sure, in fig. 33. : bo (S) ile) THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. TABLE I1.—Dimensions of 7th Cervical Vertebra. | l ] ] | Dransverse | Transverse | Transverse | Transyerse Verti 1 |Lransverse Vertical | Heich Length of diameter at|diameter at) diameter | diameter | ¥°"4C@l diameter ofjdiameter o eight.| Spine. | articular | transverse | at costal | of body Snes | vertebral | vertebral | | Processes. | processes. facets. anteriorly, |°* 2°¢Y*| canal. canal, E. melitensis...) 68 25 3°55 57 3-5 29 | 2:85 20 ils E. africanus....| 820) 4:9 715 9°38 61 635 | 54 3°85 21 E. sumatrensis ..| 75 25 56 54 4:65 | 3:5 2°38 19 | | E.indicus ....| 14:0 70 65 10:25 | 68 55 4:25 3°75 30 The body, which is about 1°53 in its greatest thickness, is almost circular, slightly convex in front, and well hollowed behind, especially towards the lower part. The neural canal is triangular and, viewed anteriorly, very nearly equilateral; the laminz or neurapophyses flat and very thin, about 0:8 wide, and not more than about 0!-15 thick. ‘The neural spine is also thin and slender, of the same width at the base as the lamin, and it is curved very slightly forwards. ‘The transverse processes are broad and strong, and the outer surface of the process of bone connecting them with the articular processes is flat, or very slightly concave. The posterior sulcus for the exit of the spinal nerves is 0”-4 across, at the base of the posterior articular process. The costal articular facets are subtriangular, the sides of the triangle being about 1 inch in length. The entire bone presents all the appearance of mature, if not of advanced age. Compared with the corresponding vertebra of the young African Elephant, many points of great dissimilarity, besides those shown in the Table, at once present themselves. In the African species the neural spine is flattened and sulcate behind, whilst in 4. melitensis it is acute and without any sulcus. In both, the neural spine inclines a little forwards. Inspection of the measurements will show another remarkable distinction, in the comparatively much greater lowness of the neural arch in the African as com- pared with the Maltese species. Had the respective diameters of this arch borne the same proportions to each other in E. melitensis that they do in £. africanus, the height, instead of 1:"7, would have been only 1/09. There is reason, however, to believe that the lowness of the arch in the specimen of African Elephant employed for the purpose of comparison is in part owing to its younger age. When we compare the 7th cervical vertebra of E. melitensis with that of the Sumatran Elephant (younger than the African example), the differences are still more striking, especially in the form and proportional dimensions of the neural arch, neurapophyses, and spine. ‘The arch, instead of being triangular, is more of an oval form; and the vertical diameter is little more than half its transverse width. The neurapophyses or lamine, instead of being thin and flat, or riband-shaped, are very thick and square, and the neural spine in proportion yery slender, its base not being nearly equal in ap. d. to the width of the neurapophyses; and it is curved slightly backwards instead of 240 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF forwards as it is in E. africanus and E. melitensis. The transverse processes also are very convex in front, instead of concave as they are in the latter species; the outer surface of the process of bone connecting the transverse and articular processes is rounded in the Sumatran Elephant instead of concave. Many of these differences are doubtless attributable to difference of age; but on the whole we may presume that the 7th cervical vertebra of EH. melitensis has more of the African than Asiatic character. In order to render more distinct some of the diversities presented by this vertebra in the different instances cited, I have subjoined the accompanying woodcuts, which are drawn to a scale of one-third the uatural size— E. indicus. E. melitensis. all of which represent the posterior view of the neural arch. 3. A dorsal vertebra (PI. XLVI. fig. 10), either the 6th or 7th, but in all probability THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 24] the former, if the ribs are articulated as in the Indian Elephant, seeing that the remains of an articular surface are visible on the anterior aspect of the left transverse process. The bone is remarkably perfect, wanting only the extremity of the neural spine and a small portion of the right transverse process. Its principal dimensions are as follows:—Transverse width from the end of one transverse process to the other, as they are, 4-7, but in the perfect state probably 5" or more. Height of body 1-85. Thickness 1-5. Width of anterior surface of body 2'15, of posterior 2”-2; anterior costal facets 1/-1 09; of posterior 1:05 x 0"-65 ; ap. d. of neurapophyses 1” 2; extreme distance between the outer borders of the two posterior articular facets 1"6. The neural arch, especially when viewed from behind, is cordiform, about 1” high, and 1-4 wide; the body is also cordiform in figure, very concave behind, and but slightly convex in front. ‘The neural spine is inclined backwards almost to a horizontal position. It is sharply carinate above, with a deep wregular hollow on one side only; beneath it is deeply and widely sulcate beyond the expanded base, whilst between the posterior articular facets it presents an elevated ridge. 4, The second or third lumbar vertebra (fig. 11), evidently belonging to the same animal as the other two. It is unfortunately not quite so perfect as either of the others, but still sufficiently so to afford a very good idea of its characters. Its dimen- sions are:—Height of body 1-7; thickness or ap. d. 15; width of anterior surface 2"1, and of posterior 2"-4; ap. d. of neurapophyses 1'1; extreme distance between the outer borders of the posterior articular facets 1-5. The neural arch is depressed, its height about 0-8, and width in front 1-65. The body is suboval, very concave behind, and nearly flat in front. Both transverse processes are broken short off, as is also the greater part of the apparently small neural spine. In the second lumbar vertebra of E. (var.) swmatrensis, which approaches the nearest in size to the Maltese specimen, the diameter of the body behind is 3!-45, and its thickness 2":8; whilst the distance between the outer borders of the posterior articular surfaces is 1"-95, and the transverse diameter of the canal 2"-2, and its height 1'-68. 5. The only other fragment belonging to the spine, and appearing from its dimensions to correspond very closely with the three vertebra just described, is one of the anterior dorsal spines (Pl. XLV. fig. 7). It is broken off through the roots of the neurapophyses, so that a small segment of the medullary canal is left. Measured from this point to the extremity, which, though chipped on one side, yet shows very distinctly that it was tipped with cartilage, the length of the spine along the anterior border is about 5". It is very slender and subtriangular in shape, with an acute angle in front, and rather obtuse ones on the sides. Behind, it exhibits a shallow groove towards the outer end; but below the middle the surface rises into a ridge which descends nearly, but not quite, to the border of the vertebral canal. 6. A portion of the second rib of the right side (Pl. XLV. fig. 8) measuring about 4-5 242 MR. BUSK ON THE KEMAINS OF in length. The epiphyses are perfectly united, and no trace whatever of the junction remains, so that the bone must be regarded as mature. The head measures 1” in its longest, and 0°85 in its shortest diameter. The distance between the inner border of the head and the outer surface of the tubercle is 2”. The corresponding rib in the young Asiatic Elephant in the B. M., denominated E. sumatrensis, has the greatest diameter of the head 1-5, and least 1""1. And in that species the tuberosity is differently formed, having a considerable elongation at the bottom, whilst in E. melitensis (a much older animal), the neck is fully as thick as in the so-termed EF. swmatrensis. It is also to be remarked that in E. melitensis the notch or depression between the head and tuberosity is deeper than in the Asiatic form, in which also there is no depression below the tuberosity, such as is seen in E. melitensis. The comparison between the second rib of E. melitensis and that which I refer to E. falconeri will be drawn when I come to the description of the latter. 7. Another, and in some respects a most important and interesting, fragment belong- ing to the bones of the trunk is a small and much mutilated portion of the pelvis (Pl. XLVIII. fig. 26). It consists of part of the right ischium, including a small segment of the acetabulum, and a length of about three inches of the body of the bone. The surface on the outer, anterior, and inner aspects is almost entire or uninjured; but posteriorly there is merely an apparently fresh fracture. The fragment, however, broken as it is, is amply sufficient to afford some very important characters. From the small remaining segment of the acetabulum it is evident that the curve of the articular surface must have had a radius of about 1-6. The cup was consequently fitted to receive a femoral head of about 5+ inches in diameter. The anterior surface of the bone is slightly hollowed, excepting quite at the upper edge, where the border of the acetabulum projects considerably and forms one margin of a wide and shallow sulcus or excavation, which was continued upwards into the cotyloid notch. The outer surface exhibits part of a large rough tubercular elevation. The inner is smooth and nearly even, marked only by a slight eminence. The outer angle is round and smooth; and the inner, or that which forms the ischial border of the obturator foramen, though not so obtuse, is also rounded and quite even. It is to the latter character more especially that I should wish to direct attention, in drawing a comparison between this part in E. melitensis and the corresponding part, fortunately also preserved, in EL. falconeri, as it shows, perhaps as strikingly as any other single part, a considerable distinction between the two forms. Tam not aware that the circumstance has been previously noticed; but it is neverthe- less the case that a considerable difference in the form of the obturator foramen exists between the African and Indian species. In both the foramen has somewhat of an oval shape; but in E£. africanus the wider part of the oval is towards the upper or inner end, whilst it is towards the lower end in E. indicus. In E. africanus, again, the margin is tolerably even all round, whilst in THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 243 E. indicus the upper or anterior part of the oval appears to be constricted, as it were, by an eminence, usually on both sides, ischial and pubic, but at any rate on the former. It is to be observed, moreover, that in the African species the ischial border is thick and rounded, whilst in the Indian it is thin, or might almost be termed acute. The difference in the outline of the foramen in the two species is shown in the accompanying figures, taken from specimens of £. africanus and (so termed) E. swmatrensis in the British Museum. 7 E. indicus. E. africanus. I have had no opportunity as yet of examining this part in E. primigenius, or in any other fossil species; but, from the figures of the Elephant’s pelvis given in pls. xii. & xvi. of the ‘Ossemens fossiles, it would seem that the ischial eminence above noticed and the peculiar constriction of the upper part cf the obturator foramen are as well marked in fossil bones which in all probability belonged to the Mammoth as they are in the figure given, pl. xiii. fig. 4, of the pelvis of the Indian Elephant. Should the distinction here pointed out be found to hold universally, it would follow that, so far as the apparent form of the ischial border of the obturator foramen is con- cerned, E. melitensis very closely resembles E. africanus. It will afterwards be seen that in E. faleoneri the configuration of this part more nearly resembles that of E. indicus and E. primigenius. 3. Bones of the anterior extremity. The well-recognizable fragments of bones belonging to the anterior extremity of E. melitensis, comprise :— 1. A fragment of the left scapula. 2. The entire upper end of the right humerus. 3. A portion of the upper end of the right ulna. 4, The left olecranon. 5. A fragment of the shaft of the left ulna, of probably a younger animal. VOL. VI.—PART VY. 2M 244 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF 1. The portion of scapula (Pl. XLVIII. fig. 23) consists of the greater part of the neck and the adjacent bone, about three inches in its greatest length. It fortunately retains the greater part of the glenoid fossa, of which perhaps the lower two thirds remain entire. The remaining portion is about 2 inches long in a vertical direction, whilst the greatest width of the fossa is about 1-2. The articular surface is perfectly smooth, and its curve in the vertical or longest direction has a radius of about 2", and in the transverse of about 1-75. The entire fossa may be estimated at about 23 long by l'-7 broad. Its sides are pretty nearly parallel, and the lower margin is accurately semicircular ; the upper margin ‘(as already stated) is wanting; but it may be concluded that when entire the fossa was of a broad oblong form, and had none of the constriction on the sides which is usually seen in the Asiatic Elephant and, I believe, also in E. primigenius. In this respect therefore it would seem more to resemble the glenoid fossa of the African than that of the Indian species. The following are the dimensions of this part in different specimens of Elephant taken for the purpose of comparison :— ETON GUGUSA Si OUNS) cree: seer sess nates eee eee ec eT: 3°5 xX 2°6 FE VROUCUS (HNATOTE) 022 itn s epeenocves neem abana. <5 E. indicus (var. sumatrensis, young) ............06 47 x30 EE pnemig angus) (OUvien) ieesnase sacs rest osacmscces 8:5 x 4:4 HE. OP TUCHMUS (HEIMULE [crn vescinecadeeenseescenaneseos 67x43 Hf. MELLENStS: (MAtULE) —.. or aconee sconce snes ve sere. 24x 1:7 The part of the bone immediately supporting the articular fossa is thick, massy, and rugose, especially on the dorsal aspect. The entire bone is compact and heavy, and it has manifestly belonged to a perfectly mature animal. 2. The portion of humerus (Pl. XLVIIL. fig. 22) isin many respects one of the most instructive specimens in the entire collection. It is the entire head and upper part of the shaft of the right humerus of an animal which had arrived at full maturity ; for the proximal epiphysis is completely united to the shaft, although the line of junction is still apparent, except to a small extent on the inner side, where it is completely oblite- rated. And this is an important circumstance as indicative of the maturity of the individual, since the proximal epiphysis of the humerus would appear to be one of the latest to become united to the shaft. ‘The fragment is remarkably perfect; it appears to have been recently broken from the shaft; and a small fragment has been chipped off the anterior part of the head, probably at the same time. It is also slightly and, to all appearance, recently chipped at the hinder border of the head; and the tuberosity is slightly abraded. The bone presents no distinct trace of rolling or morsure. The articular surface of the head is somewhat remarkable for its comparative narrowness in the transverse direction ; so that, had it been completely detached from the rest of the bone, it might very readily have been regarded as fitted more for a ginglymoid than an enarthrodial joint. In all Elephants the head of the humerus is somewhat compressed, THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 245 or, as it were, elongated in the antero-posterior direction, and perhaps more so in the African than in the Asiatic species, as is, in fact, in some measure, shown in pl. vii. fig. 3 of the ‘ Ossemens Fossiles;’ but in the present case this compression appears to be carried to the extreme. There does not appear to be anything distinctive in the form or size of the tuberosity; but the bicipital groove, even as compared with that of the African Elephant, is remarkable for its great width and extreme shallowness. In fact, after making every possible allowance for the portion of bone which has been de- tached from the anterior border of the head, it would seem that there could scarcely have been any distinct bicipital groove, and certainly none at all comparable in depth with that in £. primigenius, indicus, and africanus, as may be seen in Cuvier’s figures above cited. And from these, as well as from an observation in the text (tom. ii. p. 218), it would appear that this groove is still narrower in the Mammoth than it is in E. indicus. It should also be mentioned that both borders of the groove arch over it in the mature E. indicus; whilst in E. africanus, and still more so in E. melitensis, there is no incurvation of the kind on either side. 3. Ulna.—Of this bone the collection contains seven well-recognizable fragments, three of which from their size would appear to belong to E. melitensis, and four to the smaller species. One of the best-marked specimens of the former is represented in Pl. XLVIII. figs. 24 and 24a. It is a portion, about four inches long, of the upper part of the right ulna, which has been fractured transversely through the shaft, at about that distance below the articular surface. ‘The olecranon is broken off obliquely downwards, on a level with the horizontal part of the articulation. The remaining part of the articular surface is nearly entire, being only slightly eroded at the anterior part of the outer cusp. The surface of the bone elsewhere, except at the upper part of the pos- terior angle, as above noticed, is quite uninjured. The bone is evidently that of a fully mature animal; and from its colour and con- dition, both externally and within, it is not unreasonable to consider that it may have belonged to the same individual as that which owned the upper end of the humerus just described. The form of the articular surface is shown in the figure. The tr. d. of the inner condyloid facet, measured from the middle of the radial sulcus, is 1-65, and its ap. d. at right angles to the same line, 1-65; so that it is circular; whilst the radius of the curve of the concavity is about 1’"3*. The transverse diameter of the upper end of the bone at the level of the lip of the articular surface is 2'-6, The transverse section at the lower end of the fragment exhibits a nearly equilateral triangle, the anterior side (q, fig. 5) of which rises into an angular eminence towards the inner side; the outer side of the triangle is slightly convex, and the internal is nearly straight or slightly convex,—the respective lengths of the three sides being :—internal * The tr. d. of the outer facet cannot be exactly determined, as it is partly destroyed; but its extreme length, measured from the bottom of the radial sulcus, may be estimated at 1-1, and its width, from the same point in a line at right angles to its length, is about 0-95, 2M 2 246 ; MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF 1-25; eaternal 115; and anterior 0"-75, and 0'"5 on either side of the radial ridge. The anterior aspect of the remaining portion of the shaft presents at the upper part a very deep and spacious radial fossa, from which is prolonged obliquely downwards and inwards a shallow uneven sulcus, about 0!"6 wide, the outer border of which is formed below by the prominent ridge, the situation of which is indicated by the letter (7) in the accompanying figure, which is intended to show the outline of the transverse section _ the shaft at a distance of about 36 below the middle of the radial sulcus, or at a distance equal to about twice the trans- 8 ast i verse diameter of the internal condyloid facet. The external % surface of the bone is smooth and concave above, slightly convex below; the internal is also very smooth, even, and ue za nearly flat below, passing above into a rather deep sulcus be- tween the inner articular head and the base of the olecranon. is The posterior angle is very acute, but above it is broken ob- liquely off. The internal angle is thick and rounded, and pa the external rounded and slightly carinate. 4. Asecond well-marked fragment of the ulna is shown in fig. 25. It is the o/ecranon- process of the left ulna. Anteriorly it exhibits nothing but an irregularly fractured surface, and no vestige of the articular surface. It is also slightly broken on the inner face, and below it is fractured transversely 3” below the summit. The ap. d. of the upper end, measured at a point where the bone is entire, on the outer side of the median line, is about 2"; but it doubtless projected considerably in front of this in the median line when entire. In size, colour, and general condition this fragment closely corresponds with the one just described, and it may probably be regarded as belonging to the opposite ulna of the same individual. 5. A third portion of a left ulna, corresponding in dimensions with the above, is also contained in the collection. Though clearly referrible to the same species, it would seem to have belonged to a younger animal; and as it is a good deal injured, apparently by recent fracture, it is needless to enter into any particular description of it. If we compare the characters of the ulna of E. melitensis as displayed in the specimens above described, with those of the same bone in E. africanus, very considerable differ- ences, besides mere size, will at once be perceived. (1) A very striking dissimilarity exists in the form and proportions of the articular sur- face. In an ulna of the African Elephant 31” long, the transverse diameter of the upper articular end is 7/6; the tr. d. of the inner facet measured from the middle of the radial sulcus 4-1, and its ap. d. 3-1; whilst the length of the outer facet is 3-4, and its width 2'"1. These dimensions of the facets therefore, as compared with the transverse diameter of the articular head, taken at 1:000, in the respective cases, stand thus :— THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 247. E. africanus. E. melitensis. Transverse diameter of inner facet ..........e0c0e008 639 634 Antero-posterior diameter of inner facet ......... “400 634 Rensthrofouterifadcineniey eds. xiviaieae tetowse. “447 °4.23 Wadith! Gk 055 Recah teen Acad Ath toh 276 "360 (2) The differences between the ulna of the African and Indian species, as regards the upper end are not very striking, but so far as they go they tend to show a nearer approximation, in H. melitensis, to the African form. These differences are—the radial sulcus is more rounded and shallower in £. africanus, and the inner articular facet wider at what may be termed the neck, though in both the existing species that facet is much more elongated than it is in E. melitensis. The outer facet in all three is much alike, except that in EZ. indicus it has a small prominent tuberosity in front. In both species also there is a rather deep pit or fossa in front of the inner condyle, for the insertion probably of the drachialis anticus, which is scarcely indicated in E. melitensis. (3) Another character in which H. melitensis approaches EF. africanus is in the deeper concavity at the upper part of the outer surface of the shaft, which part is nearly flat in E. indicus. As is well known, the lower articular surface of the ulna varies very materially in the existing species; but as no means exist of comparing this part in E. melitensis, it is needless here to notice it further. 4. Hinder Extremity. 1. The principal fragment belonging to the hinder extremity of E. melitensis is a considerable portion of the shaft of the right femur, represented in Pl. XLV. fig. 6. It measures 9-2 in length; and its least transverse diameter, which is at a distance of about 2 inches below the nutrient foramen, is 1-9; whilst the antero-posterior at the same part is 1"°5, and the circumference 55 ; from which dimensions it may be com- puted, according to the data given in the Table of comparative measurements, that the total length of the femur was somewhere about 20 inches. ‘The upper extremity, inclu- ding all trace of an epiphysial suture, has been broken off irregularly about two inches above the nutrient foramen, which is situated on the inner side of the bone, close behind the anterior and internal angle of the shaft. The lower end is also broken off in the same irregular manner, just where the shaft is beginning to expand; and there is con- sequently no trace of the distal epiphysial surface. The compactness and thickness of the cortical substance, together with the well-marked muscular and vascular impressions, and the general aspect of the bone, all show that it is that of a mature animal, though it is not possible to determine whether the epiphyses were fully united. Its compara- tive dimensions, actual and computed, in relation to those of the humerus and portion of pelvis &c., already described, leave no doubt that it must have belonged to an animal of the same size as that indicated by those bones. 248 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF The data upon which this conclusion is based will be found in the Table of compa- > rative measurements. The shaft presents all the general characters distinctive of the elephantine femur, but at the same time exhibits, in several respects, differences (besides its size) which distin- guish it from that of either the Indian or African species. In order to render this more evident it will be necessary to say a few words with respect to the distinctive differences of the femur in those species, concerning which but little seems to have been recorded. On this point all that Cuvier * remarks is—‘ that in the African Elephant the bone is slenderer [ plus gréle] and has a shorter neck, in consequence of which the upper end is not so wide transversely as in the Indian species;” whilst M. de Blainville +, on the other hand, states that the African femur is thicker (plus gros), less flattened, and rather more convex in front, with a shorter and more upright neck. He also remarks that it presents the rudiment of a trochanter minor, and that the external side is straighter, and the trochanter major not so high, and furnished with a less-expanded (évasée) fossa behind. He states that, at the lower end, the condyles are more equal, especially in length, closer together, and consequently separated behind by a narrower sinus. Neither of these statements conveys much information; and that of M. de Blainville contains several particulars which are in direct variance with what I have myself been able to observe. In the first place, there is every reason to believe, and it will be seen from the figures in the Table of measurements, that the African femur is, as remarked by Cuvier, rather slenderer in proportion to its length than the Indian, though it does not seem that its transverse diameter across the head and trochanter is at all less. With respect to the rudimentary trochanter minor, noticed by Blainville, I believe it will be found usually considerably more developed, or, rather, more prominent, in the Indian than in the African femur, and that the digital fossa behind the trochanter is much deeper (and certainly more prolonged downwards) in the latter; whilst, as regards the condyles, there can be no doubt that they are far more unequal in length, if by that expression be meant the antero-posterior diameter, in the African than in the Indian species. The general form and characters of the femur of Elephants are too well known to require remark; but for convenience of description in what I have to say respecting the comparison of that of EH. melitensis with those of the existing species, it is as well to observe that, notwithstanding its great compression in the upper part, and comparative rotundity below, the shaft is more or less quadrangular. It consequently presents four surfaces (anterior, posterior, internal, and external), separated by four corresponding angles. Taking these surfaces and angles in the same order, it will be found that in the Indian Elephant the anterior aspect is nearly straight in the vertical direction, whilst in the African it is slightly concave, The principal other difference in this aspect is that, * Op, cit.1, p. 571, + Ostéographie des Mammiferes, iii. p. 42. THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 249 in the lower part, the shaft is more rounded or convex, as may be gathered from the circumstance that at the line of the lower epiphysial suture the antero-posterior diameter is to the transverse, in the Indian Elephant, as about 603 to 1000 ; whilst in the African it is about 661. Besides which the anterior outline of the section at that part is more angular in the Indian femur. The difference in question is roughly shown in the ac- companying figures, of which fig. 9 represents the transverse section at the lower epiphysial suture of E. africanus, and fig. 10 that of H. indicus of about the same age. 10 2. On the posterior aspect the difference is considerably greater. In the African femur the bone throughout is flatter, and it is also much straighter in the vertical di- rection. In the Indian, commencing at about the termination of the upper third, the surface is much more rounded, and the shaft is convex in the vertical direction. ‘The digital fossa is much deeper and prolonged further downwards in the African. 3. The internal surface or aspect in the Indian Elephant is less rectangular, owing to the comparatively greater rounding off of the anterior and internal angle, and the greater prominence inwards of the posterior and internal, more especially in the situation - of the rudimentary trochanter minor, or adductor tuberosity, causing a prominence at that part, in the outline of the inner border, which is wanting in the African. The whole of the inner border is more rounded in the Indian, and also, in consequence of the greater projection inwards of the posterior and internal angle beyond the anterior and internal, more oblique in the upper part. 4. The chief difference observable in the outer border of the shaft arises from the circumstance that the anterior and posterior surfaces, in the upper part, are less parallel to each other in the Indian than in the African femur, in consequence of which the outer surface is narrower in the former than in the latter, in which, owing to the parallelism of those two surfaces of the bone, both borders are of about the same width. 5. Of the four angles, the anterior and internal is much more rounded off in the Indian than in the African, in which species, moreover, it is marked with a far deeper vascular groove. The anterior and outer angle also, in the upper part of the bone, is more pronounced in the African. The greater prominence of the posterior and internal angle in the Indian femur has already been noticed, to which may be added 250 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF that the inner condyloid ridge, which is a continuation of the angle in question, is more acute in that species. The posterior and external angle in the Indian Elephant runs in a nearly straight direction from the trochanter major to the outer condyle, and rises a little below the middle of the shaft into a considerable prominence or rudimentary third trochanter, below which it is continued into an acute external condyloid ridge. In the African, on the other hand, this angle forms a considerable curve inwards in the upper part of the bone, and presents scarcely any projection in the site of the third tro- chanter, presenting instead a rather broad rough surface, which is moreover placed lower down on the shaft; and below this the bone is rounded and with scarcely any distinct condyloid ridge. It may also be remarked that in the Indian femur the surface is hollowed behind the third trochanteric tuberosity, whilst in the African it is not at all so. 6. With respect to the condyles, as has already been said, they are more unequal in length in the African than in the Indian species, as will be seen from the meagurements given in the Table. . Another distinction which will probably be found constant, arises from the situation of the nutrient foramen, which in the Indian Elephant is placed on the inner surface, sometimes near the anterior, and sometimes near the posterior angle, but always high up on the shaft or in the upper third; whilst in the African it would seem to be situated below the middle, though on the same aspect. 8. The patellar sulcus is wider in the African. With these observations we may proceed to consider the distinctive characteristics of the femur of E. melitensis. 1. It differs from the African, and agrees with the Indian, in the convexity in the yertical direction of the posterior surface, which is greater than it is even in the latter species. : 2. It resembles the Indian, and differs from the African, in the slight degree of hollowness behind the rudimentary third trochanter. 3. It agrees with the Indian, and differs from the African, in the prominence of the rudimentary third trochanter, and the development of the external condyloid ridge. But it differs from the Indian, and agrees with the African, in the curvature of the upper part of the posterior and external angle. 4, It resembles the African in the depth of the vascular groove on the anterior and internal angle, and in the rotundity of the anterior surface of the shaft at the lower part. 5. It resembles the Indian in the high position of the nutrient foramen. 6. It differs very considerably from both, but more especially from the African, in the want of parallelism between the anterior and posterior surfaces in the upper or com- pressed part of the shaft, and the consequent great disparity in width of the internal and external surfaces, Other minute differences are perceptible when the different bones are placed side by side; but the above will suffice, perhaps, to show that the THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 25] femur of E. melitensis presents certain distinctive specific characters in some respects intermediate between those of the two existing species. With regard to the points of difference between it and that of E. falconeri, I will reserve what I have to say until I come to that bone. § IV. Enepuas FALCONERI. Of the remains referred to this second diminutive species, the following have been selected for the purpose of conveying some notion of the characteristics of the mature animal. 1. Portions of an atlas. . Portions of several vertebre. . A portion of the second rib. . A portion of the scapula. . The greater part of the right humerus. . The lower extremity of the left humerus. 7, 8. The upper part of the right and left ulna. 9. The entire proximal phalanx of the 3rd manual digit. 10. A portion of the pelvis, including the entire acetabulum. 11. A small portion of the upper part of the shaft of the left femur. 12. The entire shaft, without the epiphyses, of the left femur of a younger animal. 13. Astragalus. 14. The 4th left metatarsal bone. Besides these, the collection contains numerous fragments of bone clearly referrible to an animal of the same size; but those above enumerated are sufficient for the present purpose. a OF OF LD 1. Aélas. Of this important bone, figures of two fragments are given in PI. LI. (figs. 32 & 33), which at first sight appear to belong to animals of the same size; and until I came to examine them very closely, I thought that they both belonged to . falconeri. But upon due examination it will be found that one only, represented in fig. 32, really ap- pertains to that species, and that the other is a portion of a very young atlas, belonging, as I believe, to #. melitensis. The fragment shown in fig. 32 is the greater part of the left half of the atlas of ap- parently a perfectly mature animal, as shown by the strongly developed muscular and other impressions, the general density and aspect of the bone, and the complete ossifi- cation of the terminal epiphyses of the transverse processes. From its various dimen- sions the height of the animal to which it belonged, supposing its proportions to be like those of Cuvier’s EZ. indicus, may be computed at about 41", or, if we take the presumed height of the African Elephant in the British Museum as the standard, at VOL. VI.—PART Y. 2N 252 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF about 40 inches. This would be a height rather greater than that which I have assigned to E. falconeri, computed from the dimensions of the femur and humerus ; but as in the latter, at any rate, the upper epiphysis was not united, the height deduced from those bones whose growth was not completed may be regarded as somewhat below the mature stature. And it will afterwards be seen, when I come to speak of the pelvis of Z£. falconeri, or what I deem to be such, that that bone also indicates larger proportions than those which may be deduced from the humerus and femur, and agreeing very closely with those derived from the atlas. I consider therefore that the discrepancy, which after all is by no means more than might be looked for in any species of Elephant, may be explained upon the supposition that the Zebbug collection contains remains of a fully mature Z. falconeri, and of one of younger age and somewhat lower stature, or, it may be, of individuals of different sexes,—a supposition for which some support may be found in the circumstance that we have in the collection a tusk which from its size may be deemed that of a male, whilst at the same time it contains numerous bones of extremely young or, perhaps, in some cases, of fetal animals, which must have been in immediate dependence upon the mother. The present fragment, as I have said, is remarkably perfect, and from it all the infor- mation that can be wished for with respect to the atlas is readily obtainable. And it is a fortunate circumstance that we are also in possession of a considerable portion of the opposite half of the atlas of the larger form, to which I have restricted the name of E. melitensis, and which has been already described, although the contrast between the two has been reserved to the present place. The fragment, from the middle of the inferior tubercle of the ring (which fortunately exists) to the point of the transverse process, measures about 2"-5, so that the entire breadth of the vertebra was 5’-0. The distance between the outer margins of the two anterior articular facets, or what may be termed the transverse diameter of the con- dyloid cup, may be estimated at about 33, which of course will be about the transverse width at the base of the occipital condyles of E. falconeri, should they ever be met with. _, The anterior articular facet presents a very shallow and very small sinus on its inner border, whilst the outer margin is quite entire and with very little sinuosity. The radius of its longest curve is 0”-85, and that of the surface for articulation with the odontoid process 0-6, whence it may be concluded that that process was rather more than an ich in width at the base. It may be observed that the relative proportions of the long and short diameters of the anterior facet are exactly the same as in a young Indian atlas (No. 2678, R. C. 8.), the latter being to the former as 75 to 100; whilst in the atlas of EL. melitensis the proportion is as 67 to 100, which, curiously enough, is precisely the proportion the facet presents in the African Elephant in the British Museum,—and that a similar difference in the same direction, though apparently to a considerably greater amount, is seen in the measurements taken from M. de Blainville’s THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 253 figure of the same species. And this is a coincidence of perhaps some moment when it is regarded in relation with the difference already pointed out between the ischial border of the obturator foramen in the two small Maltese Elephants—a difference which also indicates an approach toward the African type in E. melitensis, and a corresponding resemblance to the Indian in E. falconeri. ; 2, Other Vertebre. Several fragments of the spines of dorsal vertebrz are contained in the collection, of which two are represented in Pl. LI. figs. 54 and 36 (the largest and most instruc- tive of which is shown in fig. 34). It consists of the base of the neural spine, and a small portion of the arch. On the under surface the two posterior articular facets are left quite entire, and on the dorsal aspect a great part of the left anterior articular facet also remains. ‘The perfect facet measures about 0-6 x 0""4. As well as can be judged from such an imperfect fragment, the vertebra to which it belonged was probably the 8th or 9th, or 10th; and the specimen consequently admits of easy comparison with the 7th or 8th dorsal vertebra of E. melitensis before described, and which is figured in Pl. XLVI. The corresponding facets in that vertebra measure 0-7 x0”-5; whilst the transverse width across from the outer edges of the facets, at the widest part, is, im the one case, 1-1, and in the other 17-55, proportions corresponding with those of the other bones. The other fragments agree in all respects so closely with the one described that there can be little doubt of their belonging in all probability to the same individual. 3. Ribs. The only portion of the ribs distinctly recognizable from its dimensions is a fragment (nearly three inches in length) of the second right rib (fig. 37). The fragment is a good deal worn, and the surface is much eroded, as if by weathering. It is consequently not in nearly so advantageous a condition for comparison as the corresponding portion of the second left rib of E. melitensis, described in page 241, and figured in Pl. XLV. fig. 8. It nevertheless affords several distinctive characters beyond its mere size, which is at once obvious. 1. In the rib of E. melitensis the upperside of the neck is excavated into a large and deep fossa; whilst in that of E. falconeri it is rounded and without any excavation whatever. 2. In E. melitensis the anterior surface of the bone in the expanded portion is very concave, and in E. falconeri nearly level*. 3. In E. melitensis a very acute and prominent ridge or angle descends for a considerable distance from the anterior part of * Tn the Indian Elephant, both in the very young animal and in one nearly full-grown (Chuny), the anterior surface of the rib at the part indicated is, if any thing, rather convex, and quite unlike the condition presented in EZ. melitensis. As in that species, however, the anterior and inner border of the bone in the upper or curved part is acutely angular, whilst on the other hand the neck is compressed and evenly rounded on the upper aspect, and not thick and hollowed as it is in Z. melitensis. 2N 2 254 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF the head, which renders the inner or concave border of the rib, for the distance of about 3 inches below the head, acutely angular; whilst in £. falconeri this part is rounded. On the posterior aspect there is no marked difference, nor is there any on the outer or dorsal aspect. 4. Scapula. The only representative of this bone, apparently belonging to the smaller of the two dwarf Elephants, isa small portion of the right (Pl. XLVII. figs. 14", 14’). It presents the entire glenoid cavity, with the neck, together with the commencement and about two inches behind it of the spine; the remaining portions of the supra- and infraspinous fosse are very small. The glenoid fossa is narrow, elongated, and pyriform in shape. It measures about 1:71”, and the border slightly overhangs at the upper end. The radius of the longitudinal curve is 1”:1, and of the transverse 1”,—curves that would seem to correspond pretty closely with the computed size of the head of the humerus of £. falconeri. The remaining portion of the spine (which shows no sign of an epiphysial surface on its edge) rises to a height of about 1”:25; and it commences about 1”°5 behind the margin of the glenoid fossa, at first gradually and then abruptly, the anterior edge being smooth and sharp. The dorsal edge is much expanded; and at the end of the fragment, or at a distance of fully 3’°5 behind the edge of the glenoid fossa, there is no indication whatever of a descending apophysis, which would therefore seem to have been situated further back than it is even in the Indian Elephant, in which it springs at a distance of not more than about twice the length of the glenoid fossa behind its poste- rior border, whilst in E. africanus it is placed not more than one length behind the glenoid fossa. In this respect therefore HZ. falconeri would seem to approach the Asiatic rather than the African type, if indeed it may not have differed from both in the entire absence of the descending apophysis. The subscapular surface is smooth and evenly convex, in a line parallel with, but rather below, the level of the spine. The glenoid fossa is narrower below than above; and the bone at that part is narrow and wholly without any of the coracoid protuberance on the dorsal aspect, which is so strongly de- veloped in the scapula of E. melitensis and all other known species. The bone is obviously that of a young animal, as shown by the pitted surface of the articular fossa ; and to this circumstance the narrowness of the glenoid fossa below, and the slenderness of the neck at the lower border may perhaps be in part assigned *. * The fragment of scapula above described was regarded by Dr. Falconer as belonging to the dwarf Elephant, and it would be very difficult to assign it to any other known animal. But repeated consideration of it since the above was written makes me more and more uncertain on the matter. The differences between it and the scapula of any known species of Elephant are so considerable as to be in appearance almost insurmountable. Amongst the most marked of these are:—1, the absence of any descending apophysis within the usual distance from the glenoid fossa, as above noticed; 2, the form of the glenoid fossa itself, though this yaries perhaps a good deal in the Elephant; 3, the entire absence of the least trace of a coracoid tube~ THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 255 5, 6. Humerus. Of this bone the collection affords several well-marked specimens, two of which are repre- sented in P]. XLIX. One of these(fig. 26) is amongst the most perfect and instructive of all the bones collected in the Zebbug Cavern. It isa nearly complete left humerus, wanting only the proximal epiphysis and great part of the internal condyle with the corresponding part of the shaft above it. ‘The upper epiphysial surface, however, remains perfect and wholly uninjured; so that we may conclude that the capitular epiphysis was naturally de- tached. ‘The fractured surface at the inner condyle appears to be recent; and the bone has been broken obliquely across the shaft, and through the condyloid extremity probably at the same time; but the fragments having been carefully united, the integrity of the bone is very satisfactorily restored, with the exceptions above indicated. Although the upper epiphysis was not united, there is no trace whatever remaining of the line of junction of the lower epiphysis, not even on the exposed fractured surface. Nor is there a trace left of the non-ossification of the epiphysial cartilage on the supinator ridge, which is late in becoming completed in the Elephant; we may conclude, conse- quently, that the animal to which the bone belonged had nearly, if not quite, reached its full maturity and stature. And the maturity of its age, at any rate, may also be inferred from the deep and strong muscular impressions, and from the density and weight &c. of the bone generally. ‘The specimen, as itis, measures 9 inches in length— that is to say, from the highest point of the upper epiphysial surface to the lowest point on the condyloid extremity. But from its various dimensions, which will be found in the Table, its length when entire may be estimated at about 12 inches, which would give a height of about 3 feet to the Elephant to which it belonged. According to the same data I estimate the antero-posterior diameter of the head at 2:2, which is exactly proportionate also to the length of the head in EZ. melitensis, when that dimension is measured in relation to the antero-posterior diameter of the upper epiphysial surface. As the part which is wanting in the present specimen is precisely that of which we have so excellent an example in the upper extremity of the humerus of E. melitensis (fig. 22), rosity ; and, 4th, the form of the acromial end of the spine, which, so far as I know, is always hooked over, as it were. This peculiarity in the Maltese scapula is shown in the subjoined figure, in which the spine is repre- sented in a vertical position. 256 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF and we possess no other well-marked.or recognizable portions of the humerus of that species, no means exist of instituting a direct comparison between the humerus of the two forms; but the present affords very abundant means of comparison with those of other species. r With regard to the differences between the humerus of the Indian and African Ele- phant but little information is to be found. in osteological works. All that Cuvier remarks on the subject is, that in the African Elephant the bone is of slenderer propor- tions, that the deltoid crest descends lower, that the supinator or external condyloid ridge is less salient, and that the bicipital groove is wider. M. de Blainville, on the other hand, as in the case of the femur, states that the African humerus is stouter and shorter, and the condyloid ridge more salient. These two writers concur, however, in describing the deltoid crest as descending lower, and the bicipital groove as being wider. For the purpose of comparison of the fossil bones, I have contrasted the humerus of the African Elephant in the British Museum with those of the same length belonging to the Indian species to which I have had access—with the following results :— As regards differences in the proportions, expressed numerically, it would seem (a) that the antero-posterior diameter of the head is about the same, (6) that the transverse di- ameter of the head in the Indian is as about 102 to 92 in the African, (¢) that the antero- posterior diameter of the tuberosity, as well as that of the head and tuberosity together, are also nearly equal, (d) that the least transverse diameter of the shaft is about the same, but (¢) that in the African the antero-posterior diameter at the same part is considerably less, or as 60 to 49, whilst (f) the circumference at the same part of the shaft is in the Indian as 16 to 13 in the African, (g) that the transverse width of the condyles, being 84 in the Indian, is 78 in the African, and (/) that the antero-posterior diameter of the inner condyle is 63 in the Indian against 56 in the African, and of the outer as 56 to 48, and (7) that the proportionate antero-posterior diameter of the inner to the outer condyle is, in the Indian as 100 to 88, and in the African as 100 to 85, whilst (j) the antero-posterior diameter of the middle of the trochlea between the condyles is the same in both. In either species the length of the supinator ridge is the same, and equal to about one- third of the entire length of the bone. It may be said therefore that the head and tuberosity together are rather more compressed in the African, and that the shaft is, as stated by Cuvier, more slender in proportion to its length, and that there is, as in the African femur, a greater difference in size or antero-posterior diameter in the condyles in the African than in the Indian species. With respect to the extent to which the deltoid crest descends, I cannot perceive any material difference; nor do I find that there is any marked difference one way or an- other in the salience of the condyloid ridge. Other differences remain to be pointed out; amongst these is the much lower position of the nutrient foramen, which (as has been said before with regard to the femur) is placed much lower in the African than in THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 257. the Indian, being usually considerably above the middle in the latter, and as low as the commencement of the lower third in the former. But, besides the difference in the proportionate size of the condyles to each other, they differ not inconsiderably in form in the two species. The contour of the outer condyle in the African humerus is more globose or rounded towards the outside; and, owing to this and to the circumstance that, whilst the middle part of the trochlea is of about the same diameter as in the Indian, and the condyles themselves are rather smaller, the transverse contour-line of the articular surface at the lowest part is widely different in the two cases, as may be seen in the subjoined reduced outlines. 12 & 14.—Elephas africanus. 13 & 15.—Elephas indicus. And it is also to be remarked that another important difference exists in the transverse contour-line of the condyles, behind or across what may be called the intercondyloid sulcus, which line in the African humerus forms an easy sigmoid curve, whilst in the Indian the intercondyloid depression is bounded on either side by an abrupt border, as may be better seen in the accompanying figures. In the African humerus the surface of the shaft above the olecranon-fossa is more concave than it is in the Indian, and the internal condyloid ridge more acute. And in the Indian humerus there is a considerable depression about the middle of the supinator ridge behind, which does not exist in the African specimen examined. A further im- portant distinction also is seen on the posterior aspect of the bone in its upper half. In 258 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF the Indian Elephant, of whatever age, an angular ridge is continued more or less dis- tinctly from the supinator or external condyloid ridge to the middle of the back of the ‘head (or, more properly speaking, of the shaft), up to the line of the epiphysial junction. In consequence of this the upper part of the shaft in the Indian humerus appears angular behind, or in some cases almost carinate, whilst at the same part the African humerus is rounded and even, the angle continued from the condyloid ridge usually not reaching beyond the middle of the shaft. Now, with respect to the humerus of Z. falconeri, as we have no means of actually measuring the head, we are unable to compare its proportions with those of the existing species. And as the upper epiphysis is wanting, we have no direct means of measuring the proportionate diameters of the head and tuberosity ; but, to judge from the form of the epiphysial surface, it may be considered probable that the transverse diameter (in pro- portion to the antero-posterior) was less than in the Indian, or even African, and very much less than in E. primigenius. ‘The subjoined figure gives the outline of this surface in E. falconeri, of the natural size. In the shaft the chief peculiarities consist :—(1) in the presence of a very deep elon- gated fossa on the outer aspect, immediately behind, and overlapped, as it were, by the upper part of the deltoid crest; (2) in the comparative shortness of the supinator ridge, which equals little more than one quarter of the entire length of the bone, instead of one-third, as it does in the Indian and African Elephants; in this respect the bone shows a resemblance to the humerus of E. primigenius; (3) in the great relative disparity in the size of the articular condyles, which is greater even than in the African humerus, as the antero-posterior diameter of the inner condyle stands to that of the outer in the ratio of 100 to 77. This of course gives the contour of the ar- ticular trochlea from below a distinctive character, as may be seen in the reduced figures THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT, 259 adjoined, of which 17 represents the inferior contour of the trochlea as viewed in front, and 18 as seen from below, so as to exhibit the posterior intercondyloid fossa. As in the 18 great disparity of the condyles, so also in the concavity of the surface above the olecranon- fossa and, apparently, in the accompanying elevation of the internal condyloid ridge, does the humerus of E. falconeri resemble that of E. africanus ; but in it the concavity in question is even still greater. On the other hand, again, in the strongly marked angularity of the upper half of the shaft behind, the bone exactly resembles that of EF. indicus. Scarcely enough of the bicipital groove remains to enable us to determine whether it was wide and shallow as in the African, or deep and narrow as in the Indian; but, so far as can be jydged from the way in which the outer border of the groove arches over it, it may be concluded, perhaps, that in that respect it resembled the Indian humerus rather than the African, in which neither border ever arches over the groove. And in the same particular does the bicipital groove in EF. falconeri differ from that in E. melitensis, in which, as before said, the groove in its shallowness and width fully equals, if it does not exceed, that of the African humerus. In other respects also, so far as can be judged from the small portion we possess of the humerus of Z. meli- tensis, it appears to present several other important points of difference :—The lateral compression of the upper epiphysial surface is much more marked in £. melitensis, the extreme tr. d. of the surface in the specimen standing in the ratio of not more than 63 to 100, whilst in EZ. falconeri it is 76 to 100; whence we may conclude that the upper epiphysis, including the head and tuberosity, was proportionally broader in the latter. It is to be observed, also, that the small remaining portion of the outer surface of the shaft below the epiphysial junction in EF. melitensis shows no indication of the existence on that side of the shaft of the very peculiar deep and elongated fossa which is so striking a feature in the humerus of E. falconeri. From all that has been stated, it appears to me that, besides its diminutive size, the remarkable humerus assigned to E. falconeri exhibits abundant evidence of specific distinction from either of the living species of Elephant, as well as from £. melitensis and E. primigenius. The second portion of the hiner (represented in fig. 27, Pl. XLIX.) fortunately replaces what was wanting of the lower extremity of the specimen just described. It presents the entire condyloid articulation ; and it is from it that the measurements and figures just cited, relating to this part, have been taken. It is of slightly larger propor- VOL. VI.—PART V. 20 a 260 MR, BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF tions than the shaft; and it appears to have belonged to an older, or at any rate to a more robust animal than that whose humerus has been above described. 7, 8. Ulna. Two well-marked portions of the ulna of E. falconeri are contained in the collection, one belonging apparently to a younger animal than the other, which from its colour and general aspect would appear to appertain to the same individual as the condyloid articular extremity represented in fig. 27; whilst the former specimen, fig. 28, in like manner agrees in colour and appearance, and probably also in age, with the shaft of the humerus represented in fig. 26. But, except in their colour and apparent disparity in age, the two specimens exactly resemble each other; and it is very satisfactory to find that the peculiar characters shown in them are not limited to a single individual, and con- sequently that those characters cannot be regarded as accidental. ‘The specimens are por- tions of the upper end of the right and of the left ulna. ‘The longer and more perfect fragment is that shown in figs. 28 and 28%. It is about 3'"7 long, from the summit of the olecranon, on which is observable a considerable part of the epiphysial surface. The shaft is broken irregularly across about 2”°8 below the level of the articular surface, above which the olecranon rises about 1-2. The olecranon is about 1:1 in transverse diameter at the base, and its greatest antero-posterior diameter is nearly the same. The trans- verse diameter of the head on the level of the articular surface is about 12 or 1’°3, and the ap. d. at the same level 2-2. The internal articular facet is 0-95 in its widest transverse diameter, and the same in the antero-posterior, measured from the anterior border to a line drawn across it at right angles from the bottom of the radial sulcus. The radius of the curve of the articular facet in the antero-posterior direction is 0-9, and that of the prominent part of the articular surface on the olecranon 0-625. The anterior surface of the bone is hollowed, as usual, immediately below the notch for the attachment of the head of the radius; but this hollow is very circumscribed, and immediately below it the surface is flat from side to side, and a little lower down convex. ‘Lhe outer surface is concave and quite smooth; the internal, except between the articular head and the olecranon, flat, or slightly convex. ‘The internal angle is rounded and smooth, and without any fossa; the external very acute, but it does not project at all in front. The adjoining figures represent the outlines of a transverse section of the shaft, in fig. 19 at about 2”-1, and in fig. 20 at about 2-7 below the level of the articular surface at the bottom of the 49 re ‘ 20 radial notch; and the comparison of these with 2 Apne? -¢ the outline of a transverse section of the shaft i of E. melitensis at a rather lower point (p. 246) prides will serve to show how closely in form they all 2 iP resemble each other. In other respects also: the ulva of E. falconeri, save in size, appears to agree pe pe THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 261 very closely with that of E. melitensis, except in one very important particular, which alone, as it seems to me, would be amply sufficient to indicate a specific distinction between the two forms, even had we no other bones for comparison. Had we been in possession of only a single specimen of the ulna of E. falconeri, its remarkabie character in the respect alluded to might well have been deemed perhaps an accidental or individual deviation; but when we are furnished with two well-marked instances in bones belonging to animals of different ages, and also find that the deviation from the ordinary elephantine type is connected with a special characteristic of the humerus referred to the same species, it is impossible not to regard the character in question as normal, and therefore distinctive. One of the great peculiarities amongst the many others of the elephantine ulna, as is well-known, is the mode in which its articulation with the radius, more especially at the upper end, is effected, the comparatively diminutive head of that bone being, as it were, embraced between two arms or lobes of the head of the ulna, whose articular surface, as remarked by Blainville, thence acquires a trefoil form, the two lateral folioles or facets corresponding with the respective condyles of the humerus; whilst the central one ascends on the front of the olecranon and fits on the middle part of the humeral trochlea. ‘The two lateral facets will therefore naturally differ somewhat in their relative dimensions, according to the size of the corresponding condyle. We consequently find that in the African ulna the outer facet is, as compared with the inner, of somewhat smaller size than in the Indian; and it has already been pointed out that in the ulna of H. melitensis the disparity is still greater in the same direction. In EL. falconeri it is carried to the extreme, and it may almost be said that the outer foliole of the trefoil is wholly aborted, as may be seen in the figure (fig. 28 a). It is true that a small splinter has been broken off the external angle in front, just below the articulation, and also that the extreme anterior angle of the facet itself is abraded ; but it does not appear that either the fracture or abrasion encroaches much, if at all, upon the actual articular surface itself. At any rate in HL. falconeri the outer facet is reduced to a minimum ; and it is interesting to observe with relation to this diminution that the outer humeral condyle, also, as compared with the inner, is smaller in that species than in any other with which it was compared. This abortion of the outer facet, and the attenuation of the corresponding part of the bone upon which it would be supported, give the ulna of E£. falconeri so peculiar a character as, even when compared with that of H. melitensis, at once to strike the attention and to distinguish it from the corresponding bone in any other known species or form of Elephant, either recent or fossil*. Butit is nevertheless interesting to institute some comparison between it and that of the Indian and African species in other particulars. Unfortunately, owing to the want of any other part of the bone except the upper extremity, and especially to the absence of the lower articular surface, which seems to afford excellent * The subjoined figures will convey an idea of the difference in form of the upper articular surface in PAE a a 262 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF distinctive characters, little can be said on this subject. It may be pointed out, however, that the bone, on the anterior aspect, differs very widely from the African in the com- E. africanus, E. indicus, E. melitensis, and E. faleoneri. The two latter are of the natural size, and the others enlarged to the same width from the figures in the ‘ Ossemens Fossiles,’ 21 E. indicus. E. africanus, 23 E. melitensis. E. falconeri, THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 263 parative flatness or rather convexity of the surface below the radial fossa, and in the consequent want of elevation of the outer and inner angles which constitute the borders of a deep concavity in £. africanus. From the same species it also differs in the rotundity of the inner angle, in which it in the same degree resembles the Indian. It also differs from the African in the absence of any flattening on the inner face of the inner head, and from both the Indian and the African in the want of any pit or depression in front of the inner head (for the insertion, as I suppose, of the brachialis anticus). But in the apparent arching inwards of the olecranon it presents a decidedly African character. As regards the dimensions of the bone when entire, if we take the comparative length of the humerus and ulna in the Indian Elephant, as exemplified in the skeleton of Chuny in the Royal College of Surgeons, the length of the ulna in E. falconeri would be about 10”:3 ; according to the skeleton of the Ceylon Elephant in the British Museum, 9”-9 ; according to Cuvier’s measurements of the Indian Elephant, 97-8; and according to the African Elephant in the British Museum, 97-2. We may conclude therefore that the probable length was about 10 inches. Assuming this as the length, it would seem that the transverse width of the upper articular head, allowing the utmost for loss by abrasion &c. is at least 0’:5 less than it ought to be, had it stood in anything like the same proportion to the length of the bone that that dimension does in the four instances cited, in which the diameter in question would seem to equal about one quarter of the entire length of the bone. 9. Bones of the Fore Foot. The only other bone belonging to the anterior extremity that admits of satisfactory identification is the proximal phalanx of the third digit of the left side (Pl. LI. fig. 41). The bone, which appears to be that of a mature animal, as the epiphysis is per- fectly united, without any trace of the junction, is quite entire, and presents no trace of weathering or wear. It is exactly 1” long, and the same in tr. d. at the upper end, which is 0-9 in ap. d., whilst the lower end has a tr. d. of 0-9, and an ap. d. of 0/:55. In form and proportions it differs in no respect from the corresponding bone in EL. indi- cus (Chuny), which has a length of 30. Assuming the proportionate lengths of the bones to be similar to those in E. indicus, as shown in the specimen above named, this proximal phalanx would give for the humerus of E. falcoueri a length of between 11” and 12”, or about the same as that which [have deduced from the other data which have been already discussed. 10. Pelvis. The pelvis of Z. falconeri is represented by a considerable portion of the left os innoni- natum, which is shown in Pl. L. fig. 51. The fragment includes the entire acetabuluny, with a-small portion of the body of the ischium, and a still smaller portion of the body of the pubis,—very important parts of the bone, inasmuch as they form the boundaries of the upper or anterior part of the foramen ovale, the value of which as affording a distinctive 264 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF character between the pelvis of the Indian and African Elephants has been already fully referred to (p. 242). Above the acetabulum isa large portion of the ilium with its anterior curved margin, extending to a height of more than three inches above the upper border of the acetabulum. The general character of the bone is that of a fully mature animal ; and, from its brown colour, condition, and comparatively large size, it corresponds very exactly with the larger and older portions of the humerus and ulna already described and referred to an individual of larger size and more mature age than that to which the shaft of the humerus and the more perfect portion of the ulna probably belonged. The dimensions of the bone, so far as they are afforded in the specimen, are as under :—Width of acetabulum (inside) 2”°1, length 27°53; radius of concavity about 1-1. The cotyloid notch is about 0:5 in width; and the channel continued from it on the anterior surface of the body of the ischium ceases immediately beyond the cotyloid border. ‘The width of the contracted part of the ilium, above the acetabulum is 1”-8. The body of the ischium is unfortunately broken off obliquely on the outer side; but about 1:25 of the obturator border remains. This border is acute, and presents about 0:5 below the summit of the obturator foramen a slight elevation representing what I have termed in a previous part of this paper the ischial obturator spine, which is so strongly developed usually in the Indian Elephant, as well as inthe Mammoth. The length remaining of the pubic border of the foramen is too short to exhibit any trace of the corresponding pubic obturator projection; but sufficient is left of the ischial border to show the important difference in form between that part and the corresponding part in E. melitensis, which in that respect, as before pointed out, more resembles the African than the Indian species. Another particular in which the present specimen approaches the Indian and differs from the African type is in the comparatively great - width of the cotyloid notch, which, as is well known, is much narrower in the African acetabulum. The internal or pelvic surface of the ilium is smooth and equably concave, and the outer is also smooth and evenly convex. Posteriorly the triangular surface of bone forming the back of the acetabulum is much less concave from side to side than in either the Indian or African species ; and the two borders consequently are indistinct and rounded. And, corresponding with this general flatness of the surface in this part, the excavation continued upwards from the obturator foramen is extremely shallow. 11,12. Femur. The collection contains at least three well-recognizable portions of the femur of £. falconeri, belonging to individuals of widely differing ages. ‘Two of these specimens are shown in Pl. L. figs. 29,29 a, & 30. The latter of these is the upper portion of the shaft of aleft femur, to all appearance of at least tolerably mature age; and it corresponds in all respects as regards colour and condition with the shaft of the humerus (fig. 26). The fragment measures 3’-4 in length; and it is broken irregularly across at the upper end, just above the inferior termination of the posttrochanteric fossa. At the lower end it THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 265 has been sawn across, I believe by Dr. Falconer; and this part is probably, to judge from analogy, not very far above the point of least circumference of the shaft. No indication of the nutrient foramen is to be perceived in the fragment; and its situation, therefore, was in all probability lower down the shaft than is usually the case in the Indian tr. d. at upper end femur. The various dimensions afforded by the specimen are: 2’-4., ap. d. about 0-95; tr. d. at lower end 1°25, ap. d. 0-85: circumference 3°°4 ; whilst the outline of the transverse section at that point, which, as before said, cannot be very much, if at all, above the point of least circumference of the shaft, is shown in the accompanying figures, contrasted with that of the femur of E. melitensis, taken, as nearly as can be judged, at the same part of the shaft. The anterior surface of the BEE NPR A By 2o) E, falconeri. E. melitensis, bone presents a slight elevation in the middle, with a very shallow depression internally, and a much deeper and larger one (a pretrochanteric fossa, as it may be termed) externally, the outer boundary of which is formed by a well-pronounced, rough, elon- gated tuberosity. On the posterior aspect, at the upper end and outer angle, is seen the strongly projecting base of the ¢rochanter major, within which is the lower part - of a deep digital or posttrochanteric fossa. The inner and outer surfaces are of very nearly the same width from before backwards; and they both have the rectangular form, peculiar more especially to the African femur. This fragment, compared with the corresponding part of the femur of E. melitensis, exhibits such marked differences, in almost all respects, as to afford, perhaps as strongly as any other of the remains, as striking a proof as can be desired of the, at any rate, specific difference between the two dwarf Elephants. In the first place the transverse section of the shaft, shown in the two figures given above, is widely different at corre- sponding points. On the anterior aspect the surface is totally different in the two cases. In E.-melitensis it slopes obliquely backwards and outwards, from the anterior and internal angle, with an even, slightly convex curve ; whilst in Z. falconeri (owing to the anterior and posterior surfaces in the upper part, and till very near the lower end of the fragment, being parallel to each other, and the outer and inner faces conse- quently of equal width) the anterior surface is not oblique. But a still greater pecu- liarity in this respect, consists in the presence of the remarkable pre- or, more properly, 266 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF infratrochanteric fossa, the existence of which, so far as I am aware, is peculiar to /. falconert. On the posterior aspect the base of the trochanter major, or rather the posterior and external angle of the shaft going to it, is very much more elevated, as is also the surface of the bone on the inner side of this face. The central part, consequently, just below the level of the lowest point of the digital fossa, is much more concave in E. falconeri. Tn fact, the most cursory inspection of these two portions of the femur is sufficient to demonstrate the extreme difference between them. It will have been ob- served that in some particulars the femur of Z. falconeri exhibits African tendencies, which is a curious circumstance when we remember the numerous instances, in other parts of the skeleton, in which the contrary tendency would seem to be manifested. With respect to the dimensions of the entire femur, as deduced from those of the fragment, and from the length of what I regard as the corresponding humerus, its length may probably be taken at about 13” or 14”, and the diameter of the head in the fully mature animal at about 1”°8, or 2”. The latter dimension is less than would accord with the size of the acetabulum in the portion of pelvis here referred to the same species, which demands a head of about 2” in diameter at least; and I am able to explain the apparent discrepancy only on the ground, either that the proportion of the size of the head to that of the shaft was rather greater than usual in E. falconeri, or, as is perhaps more probable, that the pelvis in question belonged to an older and larger in- dividual of the same species. But the fact that the comparative size of the head in proportion to the length of the shaft varies very greatly, not altogether in accordance with age, is apparent in the circumstance that, if we deduce the size of the head in E. falconeri from the proportions exhibited in the femur of Chuny, it would be about 1-9; whilst if we take the proportions in a somewhat younger, but very much smaller, Sumatran Elephant in the British Museum, it would be only 15, and, from those of a Ceylon Elephant also in the British Museum, 1-7, and, from those of the African, 1-6. And these examples have been selected as being, I believe, those of animals as nearly as possible (except the Sumatran) of the same age, or with the dentition in nearly the same stage—that is to say, with the three molarsin wear. In all of them the femoral and many of the other epiphyses are still not united. Upon full consideration, therefore, I think it not unsafe to conclude that the apparent discrepancy between the size of the acetabulum and the computed size of the head of the femur represented in fig. 30 is not greater than may be looked for within the limits of one and the same species. A second instance of the femur of #. falconeri is that represented in figs. 29 & 29 a, It consists of the entire shaft of the left femur with both epiphyses detached ; and it is also, from its taper form and all its other characters, manifestly that of a very young animal. On the anterior aspect the great concavity on the outer side, immediately below the base of the trochanter, at once marks the peculiarity of the bone and its re- semblance to the older femur last described. On the same aspect is seen the nutrient THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 267 foramen in an unusual situation for an Elephant—that is to say, in the middle of the an- terior surface, about 3':5 below the summit of the shaft. Since in the former instance there is no trace of this foramen in the more usual situation, which is on the inner aspect and (as in the case of the Indian Elephant) at, or but little below, the upper third of the entire length of the bone, it is interesting to find its situation indicated in the present specimen ; and this situation, if it be not a mere individual variation, will further indicate an important distinctive character in the femur of Z. falconeri*. At the lower end the form of the anterior surface is subtriangular, and in that respect more like the corresponding surface in the young Indian than in the African femur, in which, as before remarked, the anterior aspect of the bone is more rounded. On the posterior aspect the chief peculiarity consists in the great projection backwards of the postero- external angle above, by which the surface is rendered concave. At the lower end may be noticed a rather deep groove on the internal condyloid ridge. In order to give as complete an idea as I can of the distinctive peculiarities of the femur of Z. falconeri, and of the manifest relation the present specimen bears to that last described, I have added the subjoined outlines of the transverse section in a line immediately below the base of the trochanter major, and as nearly as possible at the corresponding level in all three instances. From the more imperfect condition, however, 27 as 1. Transverse section of femur of Z. melitensis (Pl. XLV. fig. 6). . Transyerse section of femur of EZ. falconeri (PL. L. fig. 29). 3. Transverse section of femur of £. falconeri (Pl. L. fig. 30). as. Anterior surface. ps. Posterior surface. 2s. Internal surface. es. External surface. ea. External angle. ap at f. Pretrochanteric fossa. to ea * It may be remarked that, in this instance, the nutrient foramen occupies the same situation that it does in the greater number of Ruminants. VOL. VI.—PART Y. 9p 268 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF of the femur of Z, melitensis, the section in that case is taken at a rather lower level, for which some allowance must be made. In these figures will again be seen the very different form of the femur in the two dwarf Elephants, and at the same time the great peculiarity of the anterior surface in EF. falconeri, especially in the presence of the pretrochanteric fossa (indicated by the letters @¢f), and of the posterior, in the great elevation of the postero-external angle € a. ‘The accompanying cut represents the outline of the lower epiphysial surface. —— ae 23 —~ ~ Ps The various dimensions of the bone are given in Table V.; and, taking these data in comparison with the corresponding measurements of the femur of a young Indian Elephant of probably about the same age, in the British Museum, it would seem that the proportions are pretty nearly the same in both cases. The actual length of the shaft, without the epiphysis, in the specimen is 9’"5 ; and by computation from the di- mensions of the shaft of the femur of the young Elephant above referred to, which measures 21" in length, it would be 9"6, the utmost deviation in any direction not being more than 0'"4. This coincidence perhaps affords some ground for believing that the general proportions of the length of the limbs of Z. falconeri to its height, at any rate when young, were not widely different from those of the Indian Elephant. 13, 14. Bones of the Hind Foot. (1) Astragalus. The only specimen of the Astragalus, contained in the Zebbug collection, is that whose upper surface is shown in Pl. XLVII. fig. 14. The bone is that of an immature animal; and a portion is broken off on the outer side, so that the greater part of the peroneal facet is removed. The true characters, there- fore, of the mature bone are not fully displayed in the specimen. The immature condition of the astragalus is shown by its generally light and porous condition, the thinness of the cortical layer, and by the remains of an epiphysial surface, marking the site of the unossified internal tuberosity, which, in the Elephant’s astragalus, THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 269 it would seem, is developed from a distinct point of ossification, or remains much longer in the condition of cartilage than in most other animals. It is also further evidenced in the condition of the internal calcaneal facet, which is not yet formed into a single articular surface, but consists of two small ones, separated by a shallow depres- sion—exhibiting in fact exactly the same condition as that shown in M. de Blainville’s figure of the under surface of the astragalus of 7. africanus, and regarded, apparently, by that author as a distinctive character between the Indian and African astragalus. In truth, however, it only indicates an immature condition, since in the mature African astragalus no trace of such a division of the facets exists, any more than it does, I believe, in any other species. It is not improbable, nevertheless, that the completion of this articular surface may be effected later in the African than in the Indian Elephant ; for in a very young astragalus of the latter the surface in question is quite entire. And as this, from other circumstances, seems to be an astragalus of about the same age as the Maltese specimen, it may be supposed that the latter may have resembled the African m the comparatively late completion of the internal calcaneal facet. In its general form the astragalus strongly resembles that of a young Indian Elephant in which the internal tuberosity is still unossified. The chief peculiarity observable in it, irrespective of the proportionate dimensions of the different parts, is in the existence of a large and deep pit towards the anterior part of the sulcus for the interosseous or calcaneo-astragaloid ligament: no such pit exists in any other astragalus that has come under my notice. But it may, of course, be merely an individual peculiarity. In the comparative length of the neck the bone resembles the Indian rather than the African astragalus, the upper edge of the scaphoid facet projecting im front of the middle of the anterior border of the tibial facet exactly one-half of the median antero-posterior diameter of that facet. With regard to the proportionate dimensions of the bone inits various diameters, and of the different facets as compared with the same measurements in the existing species, in most particulars no marked difference is observable, as will be seen from the measure- ments in Table IV., from which it will also be perceived that with respect to its somewhat greater proportionate breadth, again, the astragalus of 2. falconeri shows a resemblance to the Indian rather than the African type. But in the proportionate dimensions of the various facets rather more important differences are observable. For instance, whilst in the Indian astragali, measured by me, the mean vertical diameter or height of the scaphoid facet, as compared with its length across, was about as 626, and in &. africanus as 602 to 1000, in #. falconeri this dimension is not more than 500. And, again, whilst in the Indian Elephant the antero-posterior diameter of the tibial facet stands in relation to its transverse diameter as about 758 to 1000, and in Z. africanus as 900, in the mature /. falconeri it is 941, showing a rather remarkable difference, more especially from the Indian species. But of all these differences the most striking appears to be in the transverse or longest diameter of the scaphoid facet, which, in the Indian and 2P 2 pa 270 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF African Elephants, as compared with the total width of the astragalus, stands in the ratio of about 758 to 1000; whilst in #. falconeri it is about 900 *. If we proceed to compare the size of the astragalus with the computed and actual dimensions of the humerus and femur referred to #. falconeri, the result would, at first sight, seem to indicate an animal of rather greater stature than was assigned to that species from other considerations. For instance, in the Sumatran Elephant in the British Museum, which may be taken to represent the type of a somewhat diminutive variety of #. indicus, the width of the astragalus is about 4”, and the length of the humerus 28”, and of the femur 337-5, in accordance with which the humerus of /. falconeri should be about 14”, and the femur between 16” and 17”. Again, in #. * The subjoined figures, taken from specimens in Dr. Leith Adams’s collection, which has come into my hands since this paper was read and the above account of the astragalus drawn up, represent what I regard as the astragali of H. melitensis and E. falconeri. They have belonged to fully mature animals, and are drawn of the natural size :— E. falconeri. THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 271 africanus the breadth of the astragalus is 5:2, and the length of the humerus and femur respectively 36” and 42", according to which, in 2. falconeri these bones should measure 145 and 16":9, or nearly the same as above. But if we take the proportions presented in the skeleton of Chuny, the result is different. In that instance the astragalus measures about 6" across, the humerus has a length of 35”, and the femur one of 42", proportions which would make the lengths of those bones in #. falconeri respectively 12-2, and 14"-7; and these dimensions do not differ very widely from those already derived from other data. And even this difference, such as it is, may perhaps be in some measure explained, as regards the Sumatran Elephant, and still more as regards the African, by the circumstance that the Maltese astragalus is comparatively wider in pro- portion to its size than it is in either of those forms, and very nearly corresponds with that of Chuny. (2) Fourth Metatarsal. A second bone which I refer to the hind foot of #. falconeri is the fourth left metatarsal (Pl. LI. figs. 40, 40 a, 40 4). The bone is quite entire, and only slightly chipped on some of the prominent edges. It is of a dark-brown colour and obviously that of a fully mature and, as I should judge from its proportionate size as compared, for instance, with the proximal phalanx (fig. 41) which has been already described (page 263), rather large animal. As it entirely corresponds in its somewhat peculiar colour, compara- tive size, and other characters of age &c. with the condyloid end of the humerus represented in fig. 27 (which, as has been already stated, is of robuster proportions than most of the other bones referred to #. falconeri), and also with the portion of the pelvis, fig. 31 (likewise distinguished by its comparatively large dimensions), we might perhaps venture to surmise that the metatarsal may have belonged either to the same individual or to one of similar size. The corresponding metatarsal in #. indicus (Chuny) is 4"-8 long, corresponding with a length of 42” for the femur, and of 35" for the humerus. From these numbers we obtain, for the humerus of #. falconeri to which the metatarsal belonged, a length of about 13", and for the femur one of 15'-7—figures probably not far from representing the extreme size of those bones in that species. But any computation of the lengths of the long bones from those of the metatarsals may be regarded as liable to error, when we consider the remarkable difference in the pro- portionate size of the scaphoid facet of the astragalus in /. falconeri and Ff. indicus, which can hardly be unaccompanied by corresponding differences in the other bones of the tarsus and metatarsus. It is possible therefore that the metatarsal bones in /. falconeri may have been proportionally longer than in Z. indicus, and consequently from their sizes those of the humerus and femur computed somewhat above the reality. _§ V. Vury youne or Immature Bones. Having adduced the evidence afforded by the mature or nearly mature bones in 272 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF Capt. Spratt’s collection, as to the presence in it of the remains of three distinct species of Elephant, I will proceed to inquire what confirmation of the plurality of species is added from the study of the remains of the very young (or, perhaps, in some cases, of absolutely foetal) animals. The number of these immature bones is very remarkable; and many (although neces- sarily of very fragile texture) are in excellent preservation, though the majority are more or less worn or otherwise injured. In noticing the largest species of the Maltese Elephants, I have already described a very young exoccipital bone (figs. 3 & 4), and a portion of the shaft of a femur, obviously that of a very young animal, and which may have belonged to the same indi- vidual. Besides these juvenile remains of the large Elephant, there are several other fragments apparently referrible to the same species, though of much younger age. As the mere size of these specimens is sufficient to distinguish them from the remains of either of the dwarf species, it will be unnecessary perhaps to enter into further par- ticulars concerning them, beyond what have already been given. With respect to the immature bones of the two smaller Elephants, however, it will be requisite to go into some detail, in order to point out what I conceive to be dis- tinctive specific characters in them, although I do not pretend at present to be able to assign the different forms to the respective species with any approach to certainty. 1. Bones of the Cranium and Face. Of the cranial bones the only ones sufficiently perfect to be of much use in the inquiry are three or four exoccipitals, two of which are represented in PI. LH. figs. 42', 49! a, and 44, 44 a. These two bones are of the same size, and, to all appearance, of exactly the same age. Each is also broken precisely to the same extent, having lost the posterior angle, including the whole of the thickened border which joins the supra- occipital *. In all other respects the bones are entire and but very little worn, especially that shown in fig. 42’. One belongs to the right, and the other to the left side; but they are obviously not a pair; and it is curious that the collection also affords a third exoccipital belonging to the left side, not so perfect as either of those which have been figured, but sufficiently so to prove that it has exactly the same characters as fig. 42! We have thus, from these bones alone, evidence of the presence in the ossiferous cave of Zebbug of three very young Pigmy Elephants. In general dimensions, as has been said, the two exoccipitals very closely agree, the principal difference remarkable between them being that fig. 42'} is rather higher, as it may be termed, in proportion to its an- tero-posterior diameter than fig. 44. The exact antero-posterior width cannot be positively given, owing to the imperfect condition of the bones; but as the posterior part of each * The fact is, that both are broken across the weakest part of the bone. + To save words, as I am unwilling to employ a specific name, I use the Nos.*of the figures to designate the two bones. THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT, 275 is broken off immediately behind the condyle, their respective breadths across the con- stricted part admit of fair comparison. Compared in this way, fig. 42’ measures in extreme height 1-95, and at the constricted part above the condyle 0”:9; whilst fig. 44 in the corresponding directions measures 1”-85, and 1-1. It is true that the latter isa little more worn on the upper edge; but, making every allowance for this, it is un- doubtedly the wider of the two in the antero-posterior direction. Again, in fig. 42/ the condyloid articular facet measures 1” x 0-5, and in No. 441-105. And in No. 42’ the surface of the exo-basioccipital synchondrosis is 0'"6 x 0'-3, and in No. 44 0'-6 x 0'"4. But, besides these differences in measurements, which in such small dimensions are not so inconsiderable as they may seem, the two bones present others, as it appears to me, of even greater importance. In the first place, on the inner aspect of No. 42' (42' a) the cerebellar fossa is much more concave, and the sulcus for the lateral sinus much more pronounced ;. whilst in 44 @ the cerebellar fossa is but slightly concave, and no discernible trace of the lateral sulcus can be perceived. In consequence of this difference in the internal aspect, the opening of the paramastoid cells (p ¢), in fig. 42’ a, is separated, as it were, from the cerebellar fossa, or rather from the lateral sulcus, by a steep or abrupt wall, which is wholly wanting in 44 a. On the outer aspect the chief thing remarkable is the greater flatness of the surface. ‘The anterior margin immediately above the exo-basioccipital synchondrosis, or at the part where it forms the posterior boundary of the jugular foramen (jf) (the jugular sulcus, as it is termed in human anatomy), is very acute in both specimens; but the bone itself, immediately beyond the border, is very much thicker in 44. And this difference is so great upon viewing the bones edgeways, though not readily described in words, as of itself to give a different character to the two bones when viewed in this aspect. I am moreover particularly desirous of directing attention to this part of the bone, inasmuch as it is here that a very important difference exists between the exoccipital of the Indian and that of the African Elephant at the same age as the Maltese specimens. And it fortunately happens that we have the materials for comparison in the British Museum and Royal College of Surgeons, the former affording the cranial bones of an African, and the latter that of an Indian Elephant, of apparently the same age as the Maltese bones we are discuss- ing. Comparison of these shows that, whilst at first sight they more closely correspond than might have been anticipated, in many respects they differ to about the same extent as the two Maltese specimens. Amongst these differences the most striking is the form of the anterior border at the jugular sulcus: in the African this border is very thick and rounded, whilst in the Indian it is thin and acute. And, as might be supposed, there is to some extent a corresponding difference in the depth of the lateral sulcus, and the general concavity of the cerebellar fossa, both of which are considerably greater in the Indian than in the African, though perhaps not to the same extent as in the two Maltese exoccipitals. On the same aspect also there may be observed in No. 44 two ridges close behind the edge of the jugular sulcus, where in No. 42’ the surface is 274 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF perfectly even. In No. 42’ the exo-basioccipital synchondrosis projects more in front than in No. 44, as it does in the African as compared with the Indian. On the whole it would seem that the distinction between the two dwarf Maltese forms is pretty nearly, though certainly not quite, as well marked as is that between the two existing species, and that in some respects the form represented in fig. 44 exhibits rather a tendency towards the African type. As it may perhaps occur to some that the two small exoccipitals represented in Pl. LIT. might possibly have belonged to extremely young foetuses of a larger Elephant, the characters which go to disprove such a supposition may be briefly pointed out. The subjoined woodcut represents the outlines of the inner and outer aspects of the exocci- A pital of a very young uterine foetus of E. africanus in the British Museum. The bone itself, as will be observed, is on the whole of pretty nearly the same dimensions as those of the Maltese pigmy Elephants, whilst the condyloid facet (¢f) and the exo-basiocci- pital synchondrosis (40 s) are both considerably smaller. It will also be seen that, although the expanded portion of the bone is at least as wide as in the Pigmy exocci- pitals, it exhibits scarcely a trace, or merely a rudimentary commencement, of the para- mastoid cells (p mc) which are so largely developed in the others. The outlines also of the symphysis and adjoining part of the mandible belonging to the same foetus will suffice to show that, even at a very much earlier stage of development, those bones are very much larger than the corresponding part in either of the pigmy Elephants, in which there is reason to believe the second milk-molar had been well used. Besides this difference in the degree of development of the peripheral part of the African foetal exoccipital, the condition of the bone itself is very different. When received at the Museum the bones were preserved in spirit ; and when in the moist state they were quite soft and almost cartilaginous, and now when dry are exceedingly light and fragile ; whilst in the Maltese specimen the bone is firm and solid, and bendently much further advanced in ossification. For the purpose of comparison, as to size, with other bones of the pigmy Elephants, I have thought it might also be useful to give the subjoined outlines of various other bones of the same African uterine fcetus. THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. Premaxilla. Deciduous incisor. x Humerus. Various bones of uterine fuctus of 2. africanus. WOT WV lee Vs 24 276 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF 2. Upper Jaw. The collection affords two fragments of the premaxillary bone, and none apparently of any other part of the upper jaw. 1. One of these is a fragment rather more than 3 inches long, and about 1} wide at the lower end, evidently (from the texture of the bone) of a young animal, and from its dimensions not improbably belonging to the same individual, or to one of the same age and size, as that whose exoccipital is represented in Pl. XLIV. fig. 4. It is a portion of the right premaxillary; and on the inner side the socket of the permanent tusk is exposed, in the form of a sulcus about 2 inches long, and about 0!"5 in diameter. 2. The second specimen of the same bone is represented in Pl. LII. fig. 46, with what appears to be the point of a very young permanent tusk zn situ. It should be observed, however, that there is no reason, so far as I know, to believe that the tooth and bone were actually found in conjunction. The former seems to have been fitted and cemented into its place by Dr. Falconer ; it is therefore impossible to say whether it really belonged to the bone or not. The fragment which belongs to the left side is of dense and close texture; and the bone, to all appearance, is not that of a young animal, although un- doubtedly one of very small size. I should be inclined to refer it to E. falconeri; and in colour and condition it exactly accords with some of the other bones already referred to that species. The portion of the tusk attached to it is nearly 2 inches long, and about 04 in diameter. Its surface is marked by well-pronounced parallel ridges; and the exposed part is partially coated with a thin layer of very hard semitransparent substance of ferru- ginous colour, and apparently of the nature of enamel. At one part of the circumference this enamel crust, if such it be, terminates naturally in a very thin edge. The greater part has been scaled off, and at the apex it, as well as the ivory below it, has been worn away by attrition; but whether during life or not is uncertain, though, from the obliquity and smoothness of the worn apex, the former is by far the more probable. I am not aware that the existence of enamel on the permanent incisor of the Elephant has ever before been noticed, although, as is well known, the deciduous tusk always has a toler- ably thick cap of that substance; so that its occurrence upon what is undoubtedly the permanent incisor, in the present case, is worthy of note. 3. Lower Jaw. 1. The collection contains seven or eight fragments of the lower jaw. One of these, consisting of the entire symphysis, has been already described as belonging to a mature animal of considerable size. A second fragment, apparently belonging to the same species, though of younger age, is a portion (about 5 inches long) of the anterior part of the right ramus. The whole of the outer table is broken away, and the exposed surface is somewhat worn; but on it may be perceived the very shallow remains of the alveolus of the 2nd milk-molar, and further back a smooth depression, probably an indication of THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. Femur. Various bones of uterine foetus of Z. africanus. Radius. bo r=) i) 77 278 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF the socket of the 3rd milk-molar. From the size of the bone, it undoubtedly belongs to the largest of the Maltese Elephants. 2. A second fragment of the mandible is represented in PI. LII. fig. 43. It is also a portion of the anterior part of the right ramus, which is broken across very obliquely from before backwards and downwards, in such a way that the two fractured surfaces are parallel with each other, and portions of the upper and of the lower border of the ramus are left of about the same length. The upper or, rather, anterior borderis very acute, and represents a portion of the diasteme immediately anterior to the alveolus of the 2nd milk-molar. Close to the edge, on the external aspect, are three openings, of which the anterior and largest is the mental foramen, and the others also vascular or neryous channels leading into the dental canal, the open orifice of which is seen at the hinder end of the fragment, and is about 0-25 in diameter. The alveolus of the 2nd milk-molar is widely exposed by the fracture, and, as usual, consists of sockets for two fangs. The anterior fang must have been about 0-6 in dia- meter at the base, and larger than the posterior. Both sockets curve backwards; but the hinder is much more oblique in its direction than the anterior. In size and form the alveolus would seem to correspond very exactly with such a tooth as is represented in fig. 4, Plate LIIIL., the penultimate milk-molar, as I should presume it to be, of ZH. meli- tensis; but I am by no means certain of this. The thickness of the ramus, opposite to the point of the posterior fang of the penultimate milk-molar cannot be very satisfac- torily determined, but may be estimated at rather more than 1", whilst its height at about the same part was probably 2""5 to 2'-75. 3. The three remaining portions of the mandible are of much smaller size, and all apparently of uniform character. The most perfect of these is shown in fig. 45, and consists of the entire symphysis with the diasteme; on each side the entire alveolus of the 1st milk-molar remains, and on the right an indication of that of the 2nd milk-molar, sufficient to show that the anterior fang of that tooth must have been of about the same diameter (0"-6) as that in fig. 43; so that there may be reason to presume that the jaw shown in fig. 45 may represent a younger state of the one shown in fig. 43. The portions of the two rami were not, I believe, found in connexion; but there can be little doubt of their belonging to the same individual; at any rate they correspond very exactly. The distance from the anterior alveolus to the extremity of the beak, or what remains of it, is about 1*7, and the height of the ramus in a vertical line immedi- ately in front of the socket is 1’-25, and its thickness about 0-7. The small mental foramen is quite upon the border of the diasteme; and on the right side there is only a single secondary foramen behind it, whilst on the left there are two. 4, The remaining two fragments of the mandible are of particular interest, as showing what appears to me to be a distinction, apparently of specific importance, in that bone, even at a very early period of life, between the two dwarf species. In those specimens referrible to one or other of these smaller forms, which have been already described, I THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 279 have been unable to perceive any greater distinction than can be accounted for by dif- ference of age; but in the two specimens I am now about to refer to, and which appear as nearly as possible in the same stage of development, there is a difference in propor- tionate thickness which cannot be so accounted for. One of the two specimens is figured in Pl. LIL. figs. 42 and 42a; the other has not been figured. At first sight these two fragments might be supposed to be the right and left sides of the same sym- physis, each being about 2 inches long, and broken off, as would seem to be usual, at the part where the ramus is necessarily weakened by the presence of the alveolus of the 3rd milk-molar. Closer inspection, however, of the fragments shows that they do not correspond as the opposite portions of the same jaw would. The left fragment is thicker than the right, measuring at the smallest part behind the symphysis 0:5, and the other 0’"4; and the distance between the mental foramen and the accessory foramen behind it (single in either case) is, in the left, 0-35, and, in the right, 0:45, though this is perhaps not a very important particular. ‘The symphysial facet in the left portion is 1" x 0"-5, and in the left 1 0"1. The general antero-posterior curve, including that of the diastemic edge, is more rounded in the left fragment. And in consequence of this difference, and from the greater incurvation also, as it were, of the diastemic border, the left fragment, when viewed from aboye, appears much more rounded on the outer face. The differences, in fact, between the two fragments are amply sufficient to show not only that they cannot have belonged to the same individual, but, in my opinion, to indicate an important and, perhaps, a specific distinction, when it is considered that the bones are both in the same stage of development. 4. Bones of the Extremities. I have been unable to detect in the collection any bones belonging to the trunk of very young animals; but numerous specimens of various bones belonging to the fore and hinder extremities occur, amongst some of which, as it seems to me, significant indications of two distinct forms may be perceived. (1) Anterior Extremity. Of very young humeri we are in possession of three specimens, sufficiently entire to afford some diagnostic characters; two of these are figured in Pl. LI. figs. 49& 50. The former is the almost entire shaft of the left humerus; it is apparently slightly rolled at each end, and an angular fragment has been recently broken off obliquely at the upper end in front. No part of either epiphysial surface is left; but it is nevertheless clear that the specimen represents very nearly the entire length of the interepiphysial shaft. With due allowance for the great difference in age, the general characters of this speci- men correspond so closely with those of the humerus figured in Pl. XLIX. fig. 26, that little doubt can be entertained with respect to their belonging to the same species. One 280 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF character, the value of which has been already adverted to in speaking of the larger humerus, appears to me of great importance in this comparison, viz. the angularity on the posterior aspect of the upper part of the shaft, and the well-marked depression on the inner side of the posterior angle, both of which are also well marked in the larger humerus, fig. 26. The nutrient foramen, in this little bone, is situated on the inner border, about 0-75 above the inner condyle. As the corresponding part in the larger humerus is broken away, the site of the foramen cannot be positively determined ; but as it does not exist in any other part of the bone, it could not have been placed very far from the same spot as in the feetal bone. Ihave little hesitation, therefore, in refer- ring this humerus, fig. 49, to a very young EZ. falconeri. The young humerus shown in fig. 50 is less entire at the upper end; but at the lower a considerable part of the epiphy- sial surface remains. What is left of the shaft is sufficient to show that in the upper part it is more rounded, as in the African Elephant, and that the supinator, or external condyloid ridge, is not continued upwards, as it were, into a posterior angle as it is usu- ally in the Indian Elephant. So far as can be judged from the imperfect condition of the humerus fig. 49 at that part, the inner condyloid ridge is. much thicker in the antero-posterior direction, and the inner border of the bone consequently more rounded, in fig. 50. In front also the anterior surface of the deltoid crest is much more oblique than it is in the humerus fig. 26, in which a well-marked angle, prolonged downwards from the anterior or external border of the bicipital groove, bounds internally a perfectly flat surface in front of the deltoid crest. The same angularity, it should be stated, is visible, though of course less marked, in the young humerus of L. falconeri (fig. 49). The nutrient foramen is in the same situation as in the former specimen. The humerus fig. 50 shows slight marks of gnawing, as by a small rodent, on the hinder surface. Another fragment of a much older but still young animal, is a fragment of the lower end of the right humerus, broken obliquely through the shaft about 45 above the middle of the lower epiphysial surface, a portion of which remains. So far as it admits of comparison, its characters accord with those of the humerus of £. falconeri ; and it is not unreasonable to suppose that the bone may have formed part of the skeleton of the same animal as the femur fig. 29. In it the want of roundness in the internal condy- loid ridge behind is well marked. The only other young bone belonging to the anterior extremity of which there is any specimen is the radius, of which bone there are two examples. They are figured in Pl. XLVIL figs. 18 & 19, both belonging to the same side. One is of larger proportions than the other, and not improbably, though by no means certainly, of rather more advanced age. Both bones are broken across at the corresponding point, which is the slenderest part of the shaft, or about three transverse diameters of the lower epiphysial surface above that end. At this point the contours of the transverse sections differ a good deal, and show that the shaft of the larger radius (fig. 18) is much more compressed than the other, and particularly that the outer or, rather, anterior edge is very THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 281 much more acute, leading to the supposition that at the upper end the bone might have presented the acute angle which is exhibited in the African and not in the Indian radius. The lower epiphysial surfaces again exhibit different contours, as may be seen in the Plate, where however, unfortunately, one of the bones is represented on the anterior, and the other on the posterior aspect. I have therefore subjoined the outlines of this surface taken in corresponding positions of the bones, so as to show at a glance the not inconsiderable difference they present. nis (29 ) (1s) 2 eu GaG at 2Z 41. Transverse sections of shaft of radius. 42, Outline of distal epiphysial surfaces. From what has been said, it cannot be denied that the same distinction exists between the very young dwarf radii as I have attempted to point out in the exoccipital bones and humerus. And considering the large size, at what would seem not very different ages, and the African tendency faintly exhibited in the radius fig. 18, I should be inclined to refer that to the young of E. melitensis. That neither of the small radii just described is a foetal bone of a larger form of Elephant, is abundantly shown by their dense texture and aspect of greater age, as compared with the far larger radius of the uterine foetus of E. africanus, of which an outline woodcut (No. 37) is given in p. 277. (2) Hinder Extremity. A portion of the shaft of a very young femur of the largest Maltese Elephant has been already described and figured; and I have already noticed the almost entire inter- epiphysial shaft of E. falconeri. No specimens of that bone of younger age, corre- sponding with the very young humeri, radii, &c. above noticed, occur in the collection ; but of the tibia numerous specimens, of various ages, and some very young, exist. Of these, however, all it will be worth while here to notice more particularly are those represented in Pl. XLVIL. figs. 15, 16,17, 20, and 21. Of these I regard figs. 16 and 17 as belonging to a different type from that represented in figs. 20 and 21. Figs. 16 and 21, each having both epiphysial surfaces almost entire, are pretty nearly of the same length, and to all appearance, so far as can be judged from the condition of the surface, of about the same age. They admit therefore of tolerably fair comparison. In the first place, as the figures will show, the bones differ a good deal in proportionate thickness; stated in numbers the differences in the various dimensions are as under :— 5 Least | Length. Upper end. | Lower end. Lae ipl Geer 2-5 Of ‘9x7 1:6 | Fig. 21.... 2-4 “9x6 ‘Tx 6 1-4 282 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF The anterior angle of the shaft is more acute in fig. 21, and it is continued down towards the inner malleolus in a more pronounced manner. On the posterior aspect fig. 21 is much more concave at the upper part; and the outer posterior angle is con- tinued, tolerably distinctly, quite to the lower end, whilst in fig. 16 it is not continued below the middle of the shaft. The posterior surface of the bone, consequently, in fig. 16 is more evenly rounded on the outer side than it is in the other, as shown in fig. 16 0. The difference in the contours of both the upper and lower epiphysial surfaces is shown in the subjoined outlines, and is, as it appears to me, much greater than can be attributed 43 20,up , to mere individual variety or to difference of age. It may in addition be remarked that the nutrient foramen is placed much higher up in figs. 20 and 21 than in the other. In all the respects above referred to, except in size, the bone represented in fig. 17 agrees with fig. 16, and fig. 20 in like manner with fig. 21. If, upon such imperfect data, one might speculate as to the species to which these two forms of tibia should be assigned, it would seem most likely that the type shown in figs. 16 and 17, from its greater robustness, belongs to H. melitensis, and the other to E. falconeri; but upon this I refrain from expressing any positive opinion. But, besides the five specimens thus disposed of, the collection contains three other equally young, if not younger, tibiz, of a totally different type. Two of these tibie are shown in Pl. LI. figs. 38, 38a, and 39, 39a; and their peculiar character as distinguished from the others will be at once obvious. ‘The one represented in fig. 39 appears to have had a sort of spongy exostosis springing from the inner side of the head, which gives it a very bizarre appearance in the back view, fig. 39a@*; the smaller specimen, therefore, shown in fig. 38, affords better materials for * The artist has inadvertently drawn the inner face of the bone in fig. 39 instead of the proper anterior view. THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 283 comparison. Both bones are so much worn at either end, apparently by water-rolling, that no portion of either epiphysial surface remains; but the portions removed at either extremity cannot be very great, so that the length of the epiphysial shaft in fig. 38 may be estimated perhaps at about 3/2; on comparing which with its other dimensions it will be seen that the bone is proportionally much more robust than that provisionally referred to E. melitensis. In other respects also it differs so remarkably, not only from that bone, but from ali other tidi@ of any age belonging to the Elephant that have come under my notice, that I think it impossible to refer these bones to that genus at all. Had the means existed, which unfortunately they do not in this country, it would have been interesting to compare these immature tibize with those of the Hippopotamus, to which, at a guess, one might be inclined to assign them*. § VI. Dentition. (Plate LITT.) The only part of the Zebbug Collection respecting which the late Dr. Falconer has left any written observations, beyond a few brief and scattered notes, is that which com- prises the teeth. It is well known that that distinguished paleontologist lad devoted very great atten- tion to the odontography of the Proboscidia, and that he assigned paramount import- ance to the study of the teeth in the discrimination of species. It is with the greatest satisfaction therefore that, with respect to the dentition of the Maltese fossil forms, I find myself in possession of his copious and careful notes, and am thus, on this subject. enabled to rely upon his great and undoubted authority. Although in some points I have been led to form an opinion apparently differing from his, yet, as I feel that all paleontologists must desire to have the actual opinions and verbal descriptions, as he left them, of my lamented friend, I propose to give all that I can find of what he has written concerning the Zebbug fossil teeth in his own words, and to reserve to the end, or to notes, the few remarks I may have to offer myself. I would also add that the figures in Pl. LILI. have all been lithographed from Mr. Dinkel’s drawings, which, as they were made under Dr. Falconer’s immediate supervision, may be taken to convey what he deemed the more important characteristics of the various specimens in the Collection. “ Among the most interesting of the Zebbug fossils is a series of molar teeth and fragments of tusks. The molars comprise specimens ranging from the first milk-molar of very young animals up to what appear to be adult teeth; and they are at once charac- terized, besides other differential marks, by the singularly small size of the species which yielded them. Warned by the great blunders committed by Nesti, Fischer de Wald- heim, and other paleontologists, who have been misled by the characters of milk-teeth to identify them as the remains of pigmy species of Elephant, I have been chary in * With reference to this, it should be remembered that a diminutive species of Hippopotamus still exists. VOL. VI.—PART Y. 2k 284 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF admitting the convictions which the specimens forwarded by Captain Spratt forced upon me when I first examined them. “1. Milk-incisors.—The series fortunately includes a very perfect milk-incisor, which confirms the line of specific affinities indicated by the molars. ‘The specimen is repre- sented of the natural size by figs. 1 & 1 a,16. It differs from the permanent tusk in having the crown and fang portions distinctly defined. The crown forms an obtuse, flattened, rounded, and irregularly indented body, invested with a thick shell of enamel, supported in a long cylindro-conical fang, part of which is broken off near the end. From the diameter of the broken end and of the central canal, it is manifest that at least a third of the entire length of the fang is wanting. 'The specimen was compared with the corresponding tooth of a foetal African Elephant, belonging to a skull trans- mitted to the British Museum by Dr. Livingstone, in which the milk-molars are quite unworn. ‘The two agree very closely in the dilated blunt form of the crown, investing shell of enamel, and defined fang. The chief difference detected between them was in the form of the latter, which in the young African Elephant forms a rather short and compressed cone, terminating in a sharp and slender point, while in the Zebbug fossil the fang is stouter, more cylindrical, and much more elongated. The dimensions of the specimen are :— Binitine dens the..ce scree eaeseene ase i toa Wengthioherown 45sec eee 0-6 Width of crown ...............06. O"-4 Thickness of crown ............... 0"-3 Diameter at the collar ............ 0'3 Diameter at broken end ......... 0-25 “These minutiz are given, and in such detail, in order to mark the affinity which the Malta fossil bears throughout in its dentition to the African Elephant. A shell of enamel has not yet, so far as I am aware, been detected on the milk-incisors of any species of the subgenus Euelephas. It occurs on those of the African species ; and I have detected it forming a sheath upon the young permanent tusks of E. insignis, belonging to the group Stegodon*. * In the British Museum, besides the foetal African Elephant referred to by Dr. Falconer, there are nume- rous bones of another, very much smaller and obviously a very young uterine foetus: outline figures of some of the bones belonging to this specimen have been given in a preceding part of this paper. Among its remains is the milk-incisor in the germ state; that is to say, the fang is still incomplete, and the enamel cap probably very thin. The milk-incisor of the older foetus alluded to by Dr. Falconer is completely formed, and presents a dif- ferent appearance, owing to the increased thickness of the cap, which appears to be formed of two layers, an external (probably of osteine), and an interior (the enamel), The fang comes to a fine point ; and when the upper portion of the cap (which is quite loose) is removed, the ivory nucleus of the crown, of nearly the same size and form as the crown of the uterine tooth, is exposed. The entire length of the tooth is 1-8, and the greatest diameter of the crown about 0!-45, and its length about 0-6. The tooth, therefore, would seem to correspond THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 285 “2. Permanent Incisors.—The collection contains numerous fragments of Elephants’ tusks, for the most part amorphous pieces or splinters of the outer layers, many of them bearing distinct marks of having been gnawed, but indicating tusks of very considerable diameter and out of all proportion to the small Zebbug molars. These fragments, which appear to indicate another and larger species of fossil Elephant, will be noticed in the sequel. “There is only one determinable specimen which will admit of being referred to the smaller form, and that only conjecturally. It consists of a portion of the distal end of a slightly curved tusk, about 5 inches in length. The greater part of the outer layer, which is weathered of a greyish tint, has disappeared by dislamination. The but-end yields a round section slightly compressed at the sides. ‘The outer layeris smooth, and throughout a line of thickness shows no appearance of engine-turning. Beneath it the ivory surface is very distinctly channelled longitudinally and regularly; and thus the section inwards to the cone exhibits very distinct engine-turning, more pronounced even than is commonly seen in proboscidian tusks, the inequalities being nearly as marked as in a tailor’s thimble. The specimen tapers to aconical point. ‘The dimensions are :— eniathinesseasre anaes 2 5-0 But -end tes. sare ener te Toll: This tusk would correspond in size with the true molars of the Malta form *. very closely, both in size and proportion, with the Maltese fossil. This circumstance may perhaps render it doubtful whether the latter really belongs to either of the dwarf Elephants, and may not rather belong to the largest extinct form. * Itis a rather curious circumstance that the specimen above described by Dr. Falconer, and which, from some words which I have omitted, he seems either to have had or to have intended to have figured, was not to be found in Captain Spratt’s collection when it came into my hands; nor is there any figure of it to be found. But, strangely enough, another permanent tusk of precisely corresponding dimensions, and with a ticket upon it in Dr. Falconer’s handwriting, “ Hlephas melitensis, tusk, Zebbug Cave,” is in the collection; it is the one figured in Pl. LI. fig. 48. The specimen, as will be seen, is far more perfect than that described by Dr, Falconer ; but in dimensions and all other characters (excepting colour, which is mottled with brown and black instead of being “ grey ”) the two so fully accord that we might almost suppose that the missing specimen and the one ex- tant in the collection may have belonged to the same individual. It is true that the specimen figured in PI. LIT, has been broken across ; but the fracture, instead of five, is more than seven inches from the truncated extremity, and probably fully eight inches from the entire conical point, which is stated to have existed in the missing specimen. And it should be noted that the fractured surface at the apex is not a recent one; so that the speci- men cannot be the one described by Dr. Falconer with the point subsequently broken off. In the presence, therefore, of this more complete specimen of an obyiously similar tusk, the loss of the one described by Dr. Falconer will be the less felt. In the existing specimen the outer layers, as will be seen in the figure, are detached towards the point, exposing a subjacent surface very strongly suleate ; and at the fractured end the coarse engine-turning described by Dr. Falconer is plainly visible. The diameters of the tusk, at the distance of 5 inches from the estimated real point, are 1-1 x 1", or very nearly the same as those given by Dr. Falconer, whilst an inch or so lower down they exactly correspond, viz. 1-15 x 1'"1; and this is the greatest diameter down to the alveolar end, the maximum circumference being 3/5. The extreme length of the specimen measured along the outside curve is about 10'-5, to which may be added, to complete the point in its natural state, about another 2R2 286 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF “3. Lower Mitk-molars,—Fig. 2 and fig. 2 a, represent, of the natural size, the ante- penultimate milk-molar (m.-m. 2) of a very young animal, and, I believe, the smallest Elephantine molar, fossil or recent, that has hitherto been met with, figured, or described. The outline of the crown is broad oval, being narrow in front and wide behind. It is cemposed of three collines, with a posterior talon. It is clear that the tooth did not belong to a feetal individual, as the crown exhibits the most distinct proof of having been in use, and worn against an opposed tooth. Further, the posterior talon bears a well-marked disk of pressure, from the contact of an advancing tooth behind it. The disks of wear of the crown surface are broad, but not much advanced in wear. One large elongated and conical fang only remains, connected with the anterior and middle portions; but the base of the tooth shows a doubtful appearance of there having been a small fang below the posterior talon, ‘The dimensions are :— in. Extreme length ............ \ ts asteigan okt eelar aoe 0-40 Width of crown in front ......00cc:cccseeeeeees 0-25 Greatest: width Jss5 5 jess 4 :i8'5- aed asaeebese ey 0°32 Greatest height of crown.................. ae ere 0:40 *. inch, making the entire length of the tusk between 10-5 and 12", whilst the depth of the pulp-cavity is not more than 2!'-7 in the present state of the specimen; andas this is remarkably perfect even at the thin alveolar edge, it probably could not have exceeded 2"'-9, or 3!. As this is rather less, I believe, than the usual proportion of the depth of the pulp-cavity to the length of the tusk as ivory is brought to the market (4), it probably indicates that the tooth was of considerable age and consequently belonged to a mature animal. Dr. Falconer further states that the specimen described by him was the only instance of the permanent tusk in the collection ; but in this, be- sides that I haye just noticed, I find two other fragments of what L conceive to be very young permanent incisors. One of these, or rather a portion of one of these, is seen attached to the premaxillary bone represented in fig. 46, to which reference has been already made. ‘The other is the basal portion of another young tusk, of exactly the same diameter, about 2 inches long; the outer end is broken obliquely off a short way beyond that part of the tooth which, to judge from the colour, was lodged in the alveolus, whilst the other was exposed to some reagent which has given it a brown colour. The remaining depth of the pulp-cayity is 0'-9 ; and when the tooth was perfect it was probably 1" or rather less; so that the entire original length of the tusk may be estimated at about 3 inches. Its circumference is 1!"3, and greatest diameter 0'-4. At first sight it does not appear altogether impossible that the two fragments of the small tusk may be parts of one and the same; but, in the first place, the fractured surfaces do not fit, nor is the colour of the interior the same in both fragments; and if the two were placed together even without any intermediate missing portion, the tusk would be too long in pro- portion, as it seems to me, for the premaxillary bone, and would project from the alveolus much more, in pro- portion to its thickness, than the young tusk of an elephant does. Though no appearance of engine-turned marking can be discerned in either fragment, the external longitudinal striation, where dislamination of the outer layer has taken place, is as coarse as it is in the larger tusk. I have already mentioned that Dr. Falconer had cemented one of these small tusks into what remains of the alveolar cavity in the premaxillary bone; but on close examination I find that the basal portion fits much more closely ; and I haye therefore substituted it in the specimen for the other. * The dimensions above given are not quite half those of the corresponding tooth in Z. africanus, and as nearly as possible half those of the second milk-molar in Z. indicus, 2. primigenius, and E. antiquus ; so that, admitting it to be really the second and not the true first milk-molar, it is obvious that the Maltese specimen must have THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 287 “De Blainville (‘ Ostéographie,’ Eléphans, pl. ix. fig. 1) has given a figure of a lower jaw of a very young African Elephant, in which a pre-antepenultimate or theoretical first milk-molar was developed on one side of the lower jaw ; and in the ‘ Fauna Antiqua Sivalensis’ another example of the same kind is also figured*. The milk-tooth in both these cases was very rudimentary ; and it is possible that the Zebbug specimen might be conjectured to be an equivalent tooth. But it appears to me that this view is distinctly negatived by the fact that the Zebbug milk-molar was supported upon a large fang, and that its crown is well worn, proving that it had served an alimentary function, and that it was not a case of unusual or monstrous development of a theoretical tooth which is commonly suppressed. In the instances of the African Elephant above referred to, the pre-antepenultimate milk-molar was restricted to one side of the lower jaw, and was not developed in the upper jaw. It is difficult to say of the Malta tooth whether it belonged to the upper or lower jaw. “Fig. 3 of the same plate represents the portion of the crown borne upon the large anterior fang of a milk-molar. It is composed of three distinct disks of wear, which are very open, resembling in this respect the characters yielded by fig. 2; imdeed they are as much expanded as in the existing African Elephant. ‘The crown is narrow in front, and widens very rapidly backwards, the dimensions being :-— in. Width im front (of anterior ridge) .......2.0.. 02.0000. see 0°35 Gxreatestiwidtihy hehindeceeneeceeeee see te hens). cee aaaeene ae 0-5 Length of crown-fragment (of three front disks) ...... 0-54 “The anterior end of the fragment bears halfway up a distinct smooth pit, being the disk of pressure against an anterior tooth that had been in contact with it. The enamel plates surrounding the worn disks show no marks of crimping. It is not possible to say what was the precise number of ridges entering into the composition of the crown of this tooth; but judging from a germ specimen, to be described in the sequel, it con- belonged to a diminutive species. It is a curious circumstance, however, and one well worthy of note with respect to this tooth, that its fangs must have differed widely from those of the second milk-molar in all other known instances, in which they are subequal in size and strongly divergent. Dr. Falconer states that there is some indication of the existence of a distinct small anterior fang—though I am myself by no means satisfied of this, but on the contrary conceive that the existing fang, as shown in the figure, is in fact composed of two con- nate ones. In any case it is obvious that, even had an anterior fang existed, it must haye been very much smaller than the posterior ; and it is equally clear, from the direction of the remaining fang, that they were not divergent. Another circumstance, however, goes strongly to show that the existing fang is really a double one. Tn the foetal mandible, represented in fig. 45, the alveoli of a small tooth immediately in front of the third milk- molar remain; and of one of these I have taken a wax cast of the interior, which shows that the fangs of the tooth occupying it were also connate and non-divergent. From this circumstance, if confirmed by further instances, it would seem probable, either that the true second milk-molar, in at least one of the pigmy Elephants, had connate, non-divergent fangs, or (what is perhaps equally probable) that that tooth was normally suppressed and replaced by a functionally developed first milk-molar. * Pl. xiv. fig. 4, left side, a, 288 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF sisted of five ridges with front and back talons. From the very narrow width in front, and the rapid increase backwards, it is inferred that it was a lower milk-molar, and probably the penultimate (m.-m. 3). “Fig. 4 represents the crown and side aspects of a beautifully preserved specimen, com- prising nearly the entire length of the crown, of an inferior milk-molar, left side. The crown presents the disks, well worn, of five ridges with a small posterior talon. The disks are wide and open in the antero-posterior direction, and somewhat rhomboidal in outline, as in the African Elephant, and they bear a close general resemblance to those of figs. 2 and 3. A large fang supporting the last three ridges and talon is pre- sent, nearly entire ; but the front fang is broken off, together with a small portion of the anterior talon. The fractured surface from which the fang had been broken off is distinctly marked below, and shows that the crown is all but complete in length. The anterior part of the crown appears to have been worn down close to the level of the fang. The grinding-plane is slightly concave in the antero-posterior direction, proving it to have been an inferior molar; and I infer that it is the equivalent tooth of the specimen last described, 7. ¢. the left lower penultimate milk-molar (m.-m. 3), and that when entire it was composed of five ridges with front and back talons. The dimensions are :— in. Extreme length of fragment ................4. 1:30 Width of crown at front ridge ............... 0:57 Greatest width of front ridge ............... 0-70 “The enamel plates in this, as in the two other specimens above described, are very thin, with no tendency to crimping, the appearance which looks like this being simply the vertical grooves in contact with the cement. It is important to add that there is a broad and well-defined smooth depression upon the posterior end, indicating the pressure of a contiguous tooth bearing against it from behind. “Fig. 5 represents, of the natural size, the top and side aspects of a finely preserved milk-molar of the same series, inferred to be the last of the lower jaw, right side (m.-m. 4). Its crown surface is concave from back to front, proving it to be lower; and the oblique direction of the disks of wear determines the side. With the exception of a little damage to the anterior end, which has removed a portion of the front talon, the crown is quite perfect; and the whole of the fangs are also present, more or less fractured. ‘The crown was composed of eight ridges, all of which have been affected by wear. The disks bear the closest resemblance in form to those of fig. 4; and it will be seen by a comparison of the figures, that they were in a nearly corresponding condi- tion of wear. In three of the intermediate disks (viz. 4,5, and 6) there is a slight tendency to an angular rhomboidal expansion in the middle; but, as in the teeth above described, the enamel plates are very thin, and the edges in contact with the ivory- depressions are straight and perfectly free from any tendency to plication or crimping. THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT, 289 There is a small talon process appended to the last ridge, enveloped by cement. The crown is worn low in front, and differs from those of the preceding teeth in maintaining nearly a uniform width throughout, the others being narrow in front, and widening suddenly backwards. The front fang is thick and massive, supporting two or three ridges; between it and the large back fang there are the remains of a series of smaller fangs, more or less confluent with the latter, presenting characters widely different (in the greater amount of complexity) from those yielded by fig. 4, and indicating, in harmony with other points, that they were not teeth of equivalent age. A part only of the anterior talon remains. The dimensions are :— HEME CHR OL, CHOWAN ceo ce soto ete: scale snteonzoetenice ornate cae 2:2 Nill laminas trom tirsnse coneriss cere hace te sere sue semen aif Whiditihvmmsthretmard dilewfeepcra.ses-cesa-c-seceeeseesee 0-7 Wadthvatvetshthinid serew.ares: cease seeere -eacs eee: 0-7 Height of crown at the last ndge .................. 0:8 **So far as I am aware, no milk-molar of an Elephant, fossil or recent, has hitherto been observed with so complex a crown, conjoined with such small dimensions. “<4. Upper Milk-molars.—Of upper milk-molars the series is less complete than of lower. Of the antepenultimate (m.-m. 2) or, as commonly called, first milk-molar, there is no determinable specimen. But of the penultimate (m.-m. 3) a very beautifully pre- served germ is represented by fig. 6 of the same Plate, top and side aspects. It consists of the entire shell, before the ivory nuclei had become ossified, and without fangs; the layer of cement had not been completely formed, and is denuded from the sides. The crown is of an oblong form, a little wider behind than in front, and is composed of five principal ridges, with a distinct talon in front and behind. ‘The tips of the digitations of the first ridge and talon are alone affected by wear, and that only to a slight degree. Taking into account the difference of upper and lower teeth in form, and the difference in the stage of wear, it agrees closely in size and proportions with the inferior penulti- mate shown in fig. 4 and already described. The ridges are seen to be separated by rather wide intervals, and they are high relatively to the other proportions. The digital terminations of the ridges speedily become confluent below the apex, this con- stituting the principal cause of the absence of crimping in the enamel plates, noticed in the description of the lower milk-molars. The dimensions are :— leathers CLONval eee eee: «onc ceehntet «e+ 02s «sacs 1-4 Wiel tiomtattee tar ices cee ee teattbe o sieeve se 0°6 Greatest widthpbehind 5... scesss pe Cees Spee nO ee |e Bee eee See riesal me mene SSB) ag] a | aie) Ss] ga a 4a}/<4 i4 /d a ade ah le 5:2 | 2-4 |/1-9 |3-4 165 |3:3x2-4 6°55 | 2:7 |2-1 13-8 | 7-6 | 4:0x3-0] ae oh ae lh oe beeeests | S226 88 |36 | 25 |41 | 8:3 |45x30 beta ech beaten] (cee boar es Ey = oeiligsxsall he Cea hmres' | OOS lh | NZI ha sh Uefa eth lata} Se atsal Height and width of ring. 32% 2-4 35x30 43 x 3-2 Radius of longer curve of condy- loid facet. TasLe 1V.—Dimensions and Proportions of Astragalus. eed ieee, | Pon 9 al | ig se | 3 ; | 2 | feoks E hes ia & & aaa ae Be i € = ‘3 3 lee 2 } =A | : a | o Ec ah lb ee al Bi ga i aa al\a\s| 4 3 3 8 8 |e5/% =e pest es ec = E F Bl epees |g] S| cs 2 = | (a{ale & & or 6 eles | é | m. indicus (Chuny)../51/6-0|..|...... Pian ares ne ORR ‘850. |, (Sumatran). .| 3-4 /3-9 24 |3-1x26/ 29x 1-8|2-5% 1-5 | 2-916 | 22% 1-8 -871 “615 (2707, R.C.8,))43 | 49 28 | 37x33 | 34x21) 26x13 | 35x22 | 27x 1-4 +871 -573 | 2 (young) B.M.|30 3-5 21 |28x21/27%1-8/ 20x11 25% 1-6) 1-6 x-75 +856 600 “3 africanus, B.M. ..|46 |5°2 3-1 | 40x 3:7 | 42x 2-5| 3:5 x1-8| 3-0 2-5 | 3-0 x 2-7 -884 +596 E. melitensis... +0 27 |B1 20 | 24x22 3-0x 1-9) 1-9 x 1-1) 18x 1-4 | 21x 1-0 +870 645 BE. falconeri oo. 1-9 |22 1-4 /1-7x16 21x10/14x -6/1-4x 8/15 x -65 -863 -636 By iy dns 2. es [tes pale eg Sete Gin s951( Lis. 0d lee 1-4 x70 -857 571 1-2 |1-7x1-4/1-9x-95| 22... facet to its tr.d. facet to its tr.d, Proportion of y.d. of scaphoid | Proportion of a.p.d. of tibial ‘733 |-620 ‘891 “610 + ‘750 “648 * -900 -602 912 -633 | “941-500 - “874-500 - Proportion of tr.d. of scaphoid facet to total tr.d. of bone. phoid Radii of curves of sca’ facet. won Nias 2 wank San Tauue V.—Dhe Principal Measurements of the Humerus and Femur, as affording data for computing the Height and Proportion of Elephants. [To face paye 306.) oe Femur. ; Height of Animal. i] | Tee a 4 3 z According to : 3 aa g|s § |) ; Accor! ni ale, z ? i ie | ale HAE ee ee nen” | Anqanee | coum” | 3 € = ra = s g 3 ihe, g z 2 Sl | Ee ee sealed data, ROS. ane A 2 a | 2/2 |: S12] BH gs i A z i 3 7 zlgs)e |ce| & ia a 2 5 & > is ‘ e s = 7 2 = = == - —- A a See Wa Sl) eel | PPP) 2) ele la al el blghle lanl i i Palle ¥ | 3 A ea eile 2 | 2 | 3) 3] s ig é Soil salle: |litog = OW EM eal relelpsts [praise a ||| eal ene (ered lt areal sree limes A eS Sa Wee ey) ea eh el |e PASM alcatel i)< Mesa cir rice Weal deel Celtis a SS Sy Be eee Se as = J sz | = Z| Z| + 5 So Sis || © 3a 12 ll SEV bezpa| Viva ater Aisle esi ce 2 & = ad ral a ee | se ; a d a eh lhe aes % z a Ws ey a | a | ee) 35 az| | 8 @ € e EOECIEE RS Ue See Ee ee EOI De Met EU ERI sca es | E Eee ete ies ET ee Ia | | Se le | « «|e E.indicus (Chuny) ....| 350 | 80 |101 | 86 |120 | 30 | Go }150 |in0 | 52 | 63 | 55 | 40 | 120 42 | o1 | 47 | 32 |127 }130 |] 90 || sa | 86 ]78 |... |... | .. | 119 | 115 | 103 | 103 | 92 | 96 | 103 CIC WG cel on Wie . » S744B, ROS! 350 | 79 | 104} 98 | 110 | 39 | 60 |170 |e} 85 | 63 | 57 | .. |120 | 41 | 43 | 43 | 60 | 5a | 38 jis |i30]/91 | 79 | se )/73] | .. |). | | 20 115 | 105 | 103 | 95 | 96 | 105 2 fo | rer liracn a itras 5 (GSES) conf) BEE AE YP sa | oo GIP EEO | so IP co Pca IGE ce Woe Woe a Weel ce U] Bea Wee We |] eM valli ce ce Heco I] oe Woo Hone |) bo )) re) ee | Os |) eS | oi |] see Wee Ol a | » » Ceylon, BAL..| 3L0 | 65 | 70] .. | 82] 26 | 44 Jane} 9p) 73 | .. | .. | . jare] .. | ..- |) 385 | 50 | 875) 27 (106 | 110 | 79 | 70 | 72} o2 | .. | .. | .. | .. \iao7 | 104} 94 | o1 | 85 || a5 || 85 CN Old Wc 6 le . » Sumatran, BM} 278 | 52] 69] 68 | .. | 23 | 36 |100| 72/54] .. | .. | .. |100| 26 | 24°] S37) 41 ]32 | 23 | 69 | 90] 50 | 50 | 57 )5a | .. | | |). | oe | ov | a | oh | | | og » » (young) 272308) 161 | 36] 40/32] .. | 14 | 92) 50] sr] 47 | 25 | 24] .. | .. | 19 | 10 3 2 , : | CO) SS oceliec » oy (young) BAL. 45] 50)... | .. | 17) 28 | 73] e2| 56 |s1 | 32]. | 75] .. || .. we feosfe2es ee |e) | vo owe ee | | eres) @ on ler, || asp! (Boe os) ba | au ee | @-| 6 . . . E. africanus, BM... 79 | 92/93 }110 |) 33 | 40/131) .. | 78) 56 ) 48 | . | 120] 40 | 44] 425 | bo | 42 | 34 |it9 | isa | 63] 80 | a4 joo} . | .. 1 .. | . | 119) 116 | 103 | 103! os * my s. | | | B.MaltaQaygo) .-<---| 27 | .. |. |. Be lest || aot] (es alt ec Plies . |. | 28 |27 ney | ert || ee ; : [Pera | * | Jv esy)|\rer lieu) ecilire E. mulitensis, fig. 4 | a7 | 45 1s }15 || 20 | 56.) 63 | 49 | 45.) 44 | 0 | | | he «| i. pi igi GS) e-s-| | 18-20 11) |] hey |) 3 |) ies & | 56 44 | | | * * | | | he . . . { E. falconeri, figs. 26, 27. my jae | } al ea Peal eat ie |. 30) 36 32 | 20 | . | | | | yn 185.30. J. } .. | a0 | a5 | 44 25 ]18 | 14 [12 ) se} .. | .. | 13 13 | 09 23 / 95 | 18 | 22 | 092) _ : F * | iy i * E, primigenius, BM... 320 | 73) .. | 96 }103} 48 | ....}136 | 95] 8a | 59 | 52 | 30 |iz0) . | ,. 38 ces {ro If Fs |) can co || eat eee [Pee | ee ine cap | ogee | ce 52 5 |, [ems N.B. The numbers marked with an are computed, the others taken from direct measurement. ‘They indicate inches. ‘Panne VI.—Dental Measurements in various Elephants. oT t m.-m. 8. m1. m. 2. m. 3, } i = = = ] = 5 = . > ins 5 & 7 io = ! a 5 = pe ] Sie. | P. | T. Si, || |Z] Siz. | PB, Z| sao |r| nl} Sy sie [P| |e] sme [P| NIE | sie |e yn|e| sie |e |r |S su |p |n}s] sie |e} fio, [P| |e) see | P| n|S a 4 4 a a 4 4 4 4 4 ip isedican ‘8x55 27x13) 8 ‘87 ) 25x 8 | 2 | 31) 52x15 | 12) 2 }-40 QOOece. 13) 1 G3x21 | 12) 2 |-48] 68x20 | 12) 2 52!) sox mI lie 95x30 | 16) 2 | 135x3-2 | 24). 155 | 15-0x 27) .. |-55 y indicus oe. | ee esck| aetterss 27x15 | 8 87 | 28 x13) 0 | 1 |-31 |) 45x15 | 12) 1 12} 1 }:35 | 68x24 |/72)| 2 |-52 | 78x 12] 2 |-60 | 75x30 | 16) 2 |-44| 90x39 | 16) 2 | 12-030] 22] .. |-48 | 107x2:5 | 17 61 24x13 | 8 . | 255x135] 8 | 1 |-32) 47x10 | 11) 2 }40) 53x1-7 | 12 70x25 |} 12) 2 |:53 | 75x24 88x30 10-17) 1 |56 |) 95x 16| 2 55 |) 5 o IVT x27 | 138 | 2 |-7 i) | 24x14 | 7 F30} | eeceaee PSY Is 63x10 | 12] 1 |41} 68x25 | 12] 2 |-52 Be) {| 110x381 | 16 “66 i ae .. | 24x12] 8] .. |-30]) . 52xL6 | 13 40 || G:4%2:5 | 12] 2 |-49 14} 1 }-45 || a 84x29 | 13] 1 |-60 ” 23x12] 8 | 2 |-97]) . 51x17 | 13} 1 |-40} 60x20 | 14) 1 |-42 14 | -. |:48 || 2 20% Eh || arrillife ||" S Cuil es +. |) b4x295) 13] .. |-42) 63x19 | 14) 2 | 47 \ ea f S| a ‘an i f » “9x -6 (d) 22x11 | 6-7 “BL | 20x-9 6} 1 |-32 s+ |e. |] G7x20 | 9 | 1 }-63) 6Ox20 |} 9 | 1 }-71) 63x20) 6 | 1 1 j10 || 85x29 9} .. 94] 93x31 | 9 . | Lo ie (= B.ofricanus) -- ies Bo AIT ot bee | eel ees ss! cll oa'l| 20 (ioe 9) 1 |74) Gsx22 | 8 |/a) 1 | rexes | a | 1 1 |-83/ 98x81 | 8] 1 |10 Ps , “D55075 4 sal! f en] hse 66x22] 9 | 1 |-74) 68x20 | 9 | 2 |176 | S0x20 | 8 | 2 1 |-83 | 11-03 10/} 1 |10 : “33x63 e+ {32 \| : + |=. |] 63x20] 9 | 2-75) o4xo0 | 9 | 1 || 78x27 | 8 | 2 [78 Ba |. rot ” alls ale G8x28 | 7 | 2/80) oc 1 |e we |e] Bb OT 11 R | 2 /-35 | 50x20) 9 | 2 |:50. 11} 1/6 | 83x24 | 12) 2 63) 52x24 72 | 2 | -63 108%3°0 | 16 | 1 |-67 }135x29 | 16 | 2 |-63 2/33) 47x18 | 10) 2 [42 . 5 | 80x24 | 12] 2/61) 93x26 | 13 |1-2)-66 = |. || 58x21 1/10} 2 |-49 | 5 Ls Ll imigenh 2 |-30 | 34x18 | 11) 2 |-30 13)} .. |:39 | 80x30 {16 |°2 |-47)) 22... 120x40 | 26) .. |-34 | B prinignis 2 |-30 | 7x20 | 11| 2 |-30 12] 2 |40| soxs2 | 16) 2 |-47 i 2 |-31 |) 83x18 | 11] 1 |-30 Ball cs | 67x33 } 16) 2 |-39 2 (31 ] 40x20 | 11) 2 }-33, 12 +39 | 2, -. |. |) 43x2: 11} 2 |-35 I 8 2 ..|.. |] 87x15 | 11) 2 }-30 pion, 2 46x18 | 8 | 2/51] 46x10 |8 | 2 |-51 8 | 2 /%2| oox40 | 9 | 2 |o0 | 78x53 1 | 80 | 11-0%43 103 x3 rs 2 47x10 | 8 | 2 |52| 47x18 | 8 | 2 |-50 8 | 2 71) 88x85 | 10] 1 {88 ]| . - |. ] 96x36 180x433 2 oe > [7 | 2 | -: | 89x20) |! 8 +50 IS] 2 (Pu ee ceo hea [ficm ice rs | |) 66x35 W5x37 y 2 Be cil Sil eel], coe OAs ae ca 5 | 1 |70 E Fal toe boa cece 13x 3S eel E. Zing, 1 | -4x-32 | 3) 1 | 11 : ‘ 9 | 21 3 22-75 T4x1 | ' af pall 0x13 | 8 att Ale sal|lhos A alte 5 taeeed 29x11 ; 3 = sll 61035 a BS 4 : 4 ie ahi : 30x13 : a fi us 16«12 2 a) bale ey ea z Pare eee | 5 ; Si liagilb = - S —-— ee 7 ‘ : eRe AO Nei ee : eS eo eee & / > Li < sit 77 C4 l Pts Le chor 4-reyueH NP JN . . GH GWESS IE at? XIII. On a Picture supposed to represent the Didine Bird of the Island of Bourbon (Réunion). By Aurrep Newton, WA., FLS., F.ZS., &e. Read February 14th, 1867. [Piate LXII.] PICTORIAL evidence contributes so largely to what we know of the Dodo and its allies, that in calling the attention of the Society to the old water-colour drawing now exhibited I should not deem any apology requisite, were it not that this drawing has been already displayed at a meeting only a few months ago. But as on that occasion the exhibitor, Mr. Tegetmeier, did not place on record the remarks he made (P. Z. 8S. 1866, p. 201), and as I have reason to believe these remarks did not touch the points to which I am about to advert, I trust I may be excused for again submitting the drawing to the inspection of the Society. I must first of all express my thanks to Mr. Tegetmeier for the opportunity he has given me of examining the drawing, and also to the owner of it, Mr. C. Dare, of Clatterford, in the Isle of Wight, for his kindness in permitting it to be copied for our ‘ Transactions.’ It will be remembered that in the late Mr. H. E. Strickland’s work, ‘'The Dodo and its kindred,’ the former existence of at least three distinct species of Didine birds was very clearly demonstrated. Of these the true Dodo (Didus ineptus) was presumed to have been peculiar to the Island of Mauritius, the Solitaire (Pezophaps solitarius) to that of Rodriguez, and the third (which Mr. Strickland left unnamed) to that of Bourbon, or, as it is now called, Réunion. Of the first two there were then no incon- siderable remains known; but of the third it was believed that nothing existed, save a few scanty notices, which were industriously compiled by that lamented naturalist from the narratives of various voyagers. The earliest of these, Tatton, who visited Bourbon in 1613, speaks of “a great fowl of the bigness of a Turkie, very fat, and so short- winged that they cannot flie, beeing white.” In 1618 Bontekoe passed three weeks in the island; and his account confirms the former statement. He calls the birds “ Dodeersen,” the name often applied to the true Didus ineptus, whence we may suppose they generally resembled that species; but he does not mention their colour. Carré, in 1668, speaks of the Bourbon brevipennate, “Il ne ressembleroit pas mal a un Coq WInde, s'il n’avoit point les jambes plus hautes. La beauté de son plumage fait plaisir 4 voir. C'est une couleur changeante qui tire sur le jaune.” In the following VOL. VI.—PART VI. 3F 374 MR. A. NEWTON ON THE DIDINE BIRD OF BOURBON. year a French colonist from Madagascar, the Sieur Du Bois*, gives a more detailed, but, I suspect, a not very accurate, account of the species, under the name of “ Solitaires.” Here it is said of them, again, that they “ont le plumage blanc.” Thus two out of the four eye-witnesses speak to the plumage of the Bourbon Didine bird being white; a third calls it ‘‘a changeable colour, which verges upor. yellow,” which, as Mr. Strickland justly observes, “is rather vague, but seems to imply a pale yellowish or cream-coloured tint, which another author might easily have described as white” (‘The Dodo,’ &c., p. 60). The fourth witness does not mention the colour at all. This fourth witness, Bontekoe, however, furnishes some other evidence of value. He calls the birds by the name of the true Mauritian Dodo; and, from his description, they undoubtedly much resembled that species in form. But further, one edition of Bontekoe’s work, published at Amsterdam by Gillis Joosten Zaagman in 1646, contains a figure professing to be that of the Bourbon “ Dodeers.” ‘This is reproduced in fac-simile by Mr. Strickland; and though that gentleman says (op. cit. p. 63) * there can be no doubt” it “refers to the true Dodo of Mauritius,” I see no reason whatever for arriving at that conclusion. ‘This figure is unlike all the original representations of the true Dodo in several minor points, but especially in one respect. The first four primaries are directed downwards, and at the extremity forwards. Now, in every picture and figure of the true Dodo that I know of, all the primaries are directed backwards. I think, therefore, we may not unreasonably infer :— 1. That the Didine bird of Bourbon in general shape resembled the true Dodo (Didus ineptus) of Mauritius. 2. That the plumage of the Didine bird of Bourbon was white, with some admixture of yellow. 3. That in the Bourbon Didine bird the first four primaries of the wing were not directed backwards, but downwards and forwards. A glance at the picture now exhibited (P1. LXII.) will show how far it fulfils these conditions. But, on the other hand, I must not pass over what seems to be a formidable objection to the supposition I have laid down. Du Bois describes his “* Solitatres” as having “le becq fait comme celuy des Bécasses, mais plus gros.” Nothing more unlike a Wood- cock’s bill can be imagined than that of the bird represented in Bontekoe’s figure and the drawing here! But not one of the other eye-witnesses refers to such a peculiarity. Two of them liken the Bourbon bird to a'Turkey, the third to a true Dodo; surely, then, * When Mr. Strickland wrote, in 1848, he was only able to cite this witness from a MS. copy of a journal presented by Mr. Telfair to this Society, and still in our library, in which the name of the author was not given, but merely his initials. From a note of M. Milme-Edwards in a recent number of the ‘Annales des Sciences Naturelles’ (vol. vi. pp. 42-44, July 1866), we learn the name of the author of this journal, which, we are informed, was published at Paris in 1674. MR. A. NEWTON ON THE DIDINE BIRD OF BOURBON. 3 if it had possessed a Scolopacine bill, the fact would have been mentioned. I venture to suggest that Du Bois must have written some other word, and that “ Bécasses” is a false reading, or else that a treacherous memory supplied the statement. It now remains for me to remark on the picture exhibited. It represents apparently a flooded meadow, in the pools of which various aquatic birds are distributed, while the Dodo is standing, with an expression of alarm on his countenance, on a scanty bit of dry ground. By his side is seated a fine Bernicla ruficollis, somewhat too brilliantly coloured perhaps; and the other birds portrayed are Cepphus grylle (engaged with a small eel or snake), Mergus castor (a female or immature male), Ciconia alba, Clangula glaucion, Fulix fuliqula, and Mareca penelope (a female). ‘These are all drawn with much atten- tion to detail, and generally very fairly coloured. ‘The Dodo and the Goose form the principal figures in the composition. The beak of the Dodo, as represented here, also demands a word of comment; instead of terminating in the formidable dertrum to which we are accustomed in the pictures * of the Saverys and that of Goeimare (Trans. Zool. Soc. iv. p. 197), its tip is rounded off, as if it had undergone the operation known among falconers as “coping.” Now I cannot help thinking that in this point we have some grounds for believing that the subject of the figure must have been a bird kept in captivity. ‘The Dodo was no doubt able with its powerfully-hooked beak to inflict very serious injury; and it is not at all improbable (so it seems to me) that the keeper of such a bird would consult his own safety, and, by trimming an offensive weapon so likely to be used against him, deprive it of the means of doing harm. On this account, therefore, I think there seems to be a strong probability of this drawing having been taken from a living subject which had been brought to Europe and kept in some aviary. It is further to be remarked that the inside of the Dodo’s mouth in this drawing is coloured of a bright red, and a red ring is seen surrounding the eye, though whether this be intended for the iris or an orbit it is not so easy to say. I believe that all the pictures of Didus ineptus concur in representing the iris of that species to be yellow. And now as to the artist by whom this drawing was executed. In its left hand corner are to be plainly seen the letters pif and on consulting Brulliot’s ‘ Dictionnaire des Monogrammes’ I find (p. 821, Nouv. Ed. Sec. Partie. Munich: 1853) that this is the signature of Pinrre Wir7rHoos, “ qui peignait a la gouache des fleurs, des insectes, et des plantes avec beaucoup d’art et de vérité,” and who died at Amster- dam in 1693. It is therefore quite possible that the figure I have before mentioned in — Zaagman’s edition of Bontekoe, published, according to Strickland, shortly after the * Professor Schlegel has already suggested that the picture of the Dodo in the British Museum was drawn from a bird the beak of which had become unnaturally elongated in captivity (Verslag. en Mededeel. der Kon, Akad. van Wetensch, 1854, p. 237, note). 376 MR. A. NEWTON ON THE DIDINE BIRD OF BOURBON. [Ss] year 1646, at Amsterdam, and the present drawing were both taken from the same source, probably a bird brought from the Island of Bourbon, and kept alive in that town. From a recent paper by Mr. W. J. Sterland in a popular periodical* I learn that a portion of the picture now exhibited + was copied and engraved some years ago in the ‘Tllustrated London News’ (no. 821, vol. xxix. p. 303, Sept. 20, 1856). On referring to the place indicated I find that the woodcut there given is a most wretched misre- presentation, while the accompanying notice by Mr. W. W. Coker and Mr. Gould does not at all bear upon the subjects to which I have here adverted. * Hardwicke’s ‘ Science-Gossip,’ No, 25, Jan. 1, 1867, pp. 5, 6. t+ P.S. April 1868.—The original picture, I am informed, has been recently deposited in a “ museum ” at Carisbrook Castle, in the Isle of Wight. duit quPyUeH NP Ww UUT TAS Lr XIV. An account of the Fishes of the States of Central America, based on collections made by Capt. J. M. Dow, F. Gopman, Esq., and O. Satvin, Esq. By ALBERT Ginruer, A., M_D., Ph.D., PRS. F.ZS. Read March 22nd, 1864, and December 13th, 1866. [Puates LXTII. to LXXXVII.] §1. Introductory Historical Remarks on the Collections forming the basis of this Memoir. BEFORE proceeding to the enumeration and description of the fishes known to exist in the States of Central America, I may be permitted briefly to notice the circumstances which enable me to submit to the Society the results contained in the present memoir. Mr. Salvin started in the year 1859 on his second excursion to Guatemala, chiefly with the intention of working out the ornithological fauna of that country. But having had his attention directed by me to the fact that its cold-blooded vertebrates were almost entirely unknown, he made and brought home a small collection of reptiles and fresh- water fishes, which proved to be of sufficient interest to encourage him to pay still more attention to this subject on a third excursion, which he undertook in company with Mr. Godman in the year 1861. By far the greater part of the materials which form the basis of this memoir were obtained on this occasion. Not only did the two travellers extend their excursions to various parts of Guatemala, but Mr. Salvin also visited Panama, where he met and collected in company with Capt. Dow, of the Panama Railway Company’s Steamer ‘ Guatemala.’ Capt. Dow, indeed, had commenced to collect fishes previously to this, having sent several collections to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, and to the Zoological Society of London, whence they were transferred to the British Museum; and for the last three years he has continued his researches with such zeal and liberality that I cannot abstain from acknowledging here the great services. he has rendered to the cause of science. The collections made by these gentlemen contained not less than about 1500 examples, in a perfect state of preservation, many of considerable size. In addition to these, I have examined a few which had been purchased of a dealer for the British Museum having been collected at Puerto Cabello in the Bay of Honduras, and, finally, those collected by Dr. Seemann, originally deposited in the Collection of Haslar Hospital, and now in the British Museum. The latter have lost much of their scientific value, as, unfortunately, no record was kept of the localities where they were obtained; and only in a few cases have I been able to avail myself of specimens of this collection, viz. where the original label, with the name of the collector, has been accidentally preserved. VOL. VI.—PART VII. 3G ws =I lo 2) DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. § 2. Topographical Features of the Localities explored. As regards the topographical features of the localities explored by Messrs. Dow, Godman, and Salvin, I have been favoured by the latter gentleman, by whom also the accompanying map has been prepared, with the following notes :— Lakes. AmatitLan.—The Lake of Amatitlan is situated in lat. 14° 29' N., long. 90° 35! W., in the Republic of Guatemala. Its elevation above the sea-level is about 4500 feet. Being only a short distance on the southern side of the main ridge, it collects the waters of a few small streams, which it discharges at its southern extremity, into the river Michatoya, a mountain-torrent for half its course, then expanding, like all the rivers of Guatemala which flow into the Pacific, into a broad shallow stream with a shifting sandy bed. The lake is very deep, and its water clear. The volcanoes of Pacaya and Agua rise amongst the mountains of its southern border, the whole forming a landscape of great beauty. Fish are caught during the rainy season near the outlet into the river Michatoya, and are sent to the market of the City of Guatemala. AtitLAN.—The Lake of Atitlan is elevated 5000 feet above the sea. Like the last- mentioned it lies in Guatemala on the southern side of the main ridge, in lat. 14°45’ N., long. 91°14’ W. It has no visible outlet. The water is clear and fresh, and the lake of great depth. The hills on three sides attain to a height of 2000 feet above the lake. On its southern border the two large volcanoes of Toliman and S. Pedro rise, their bases being washed on one side by the lake, giving one the idea that one of them (that called Toliman) has in rising acted as a dam and stopped the outflow of the waters of a mountain-valley. A few small streams enter the lake, the water of which rises during the rainy season, to fall again in the dry. On the mountain-slope below, several streams take their rise, supplied probably by the filtration of water from the lake; but it would appear, from the alteration of the water-level in accordance with the season of the year, that it is chiefly influenced by evaporation, A number of Indian villages surround the lake; at one of them, Panajachel, a small collection of fish was made. Fish never seem to grow to any size in this lake, the Mojara (Heros) being quite diminutive, The Indians fish with round nets amongst the reeds that grow at the mouths of small streams. ‘The lake itself is about twenty-two miles long, and twelve miles wide, Duewas.—This lake is little more than a depression in one of the elevated (5000 ft.) plains forming the tablelands of Guatemala. Its depth is nowhere more than 6 feet, and its banks are everywhere clothed with reeds. A small stream connects the lake with the river Guacalate. Here, too, fish are caught by the Indians in round nets, which are held by both hands, pushed in amongst the reeds, and suddenly brought to the surface, HvamucuaL.—This name applies properly to a series of small lakes situated in about lat. 14° 32’ N., long. 92° 13! W., close to one another, about six miles from the mouth of the river Tilapa on the Pacific coast. The place isnot shown on any map ; but it is near DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 379 the large Lake of Tamachian, with which, in the rainy season, all these smaller lakes are connected. During this period of the year the river Tilapa overflows its banks and inundates the whole country round. In the dry season water remains in depressions of the land, forming the lagoons of Huamuchal; but in years of great drought even these dry up, the fish being destroyed; but a fresh supply finds its way from Lake Tamachian during the next inundation. The water is slightly brackish. The fish are taken in drag-nets, salted, and sold to Indians coming from the Altos of Guatemala. ManaGua.—According to Mr. J. Bailey this lake is about fifty or sixty miles long, by thirty-five miles wide. Its depth varies from 2 to 10 and 15 fathoms, but in its deepest part reaches to as much as 40 fathoms. Its elevation above the sea is 156 feet. On its south-western border the lake is separated from the Pacific by a series of comparatively low hills, the lowest section of which, through the Plain of Leon, is only 230 feet above the ocean-level. The high mountains of the Republic of Honduras approach the north- eastern border of the lake. On its south-eastern side an opening communicates with the Lake of Nicaragua. Commencing with the Fall of Tipitapa, of 22 feet height, the river widens into the Estero of Panaloya, and thence into the larger lake. Nicaracua.—The same authority gives a length of one hundred and five miles to this lake, and a width of about forty-five, its depth being about 15 fathoms. ‘The surface of the lake is studded with numerous islands, some of them, as Omotepec, being volcanic cones. The elevation of the lake above the mean ocean-level is given as 128 feet. The same line of low hills which divides Lake Managua from the Pacific separates Lake Nicaragua from the same ocean ; but at no point is the elevation so low as at that above indicated. The river San Juan, a deep-stream with several rapids, flows out of the south-eastern end of the lake, and falls into the Atlantic Ocean, at the port of Grey- town, or San Juan del Norte. Peren.—The Lake of Peten is situated in lat. 17° 10! N., long. 90° W., and is one of several lakes formed at the base of the Promontory of Yucatan. Its length is about thirty miles, its width eight miles, and elevation above the sea 500 feet. The water is quite fresh, clear, and of considerable depth. Neither the Lake of Peten nor the adjoining Lake of Yasha has any outlet ; and in both the water is rapidly increasing in expanse—so much so that several streets of the town of Flores, which stands on an island in Lake Peten, have been absorbed within a few years, and the posts of huts, which formerly were on dry ground, may now be seen standing in deep water. This increase of water can only be accounted for by supposing that a common subterranean outlet has been stopped up, or that the land of this district is experiencing a gradual subsidence. All the fish obtained here were caught with a hook and line, or speared. All the natives, even quite small children, are very expert in using a light spear formed of bamboo cane with an iron barb at the end. YzaBau.—This lake, which is also called the Golfo Dulce, is about thirty or forty miles long, and ten to fifteen miles wide, and has a tolerably uniform depth of about 35 3a 2 380 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. to 40 feet. It is situated in lat. 15° 30’ N., long. 89° 15' W., at the bottom of the Bay of Honduras. One large river, the Polochic, enters this lake ; and it has a narrow but deep outlet to the sea, called the Rio Dulce, which is navigated by small schooners plying between Belize and the town of Yzabal. It was near this last-mentioned place that a few species of fish were obtained. Rivers. BayaNno.—This is a river which rises in the narrow part of Central America, and flows into the Pacific a little to the southward of the Bay of Panama. CaHaBon.—The town of Cahabon, where a few fishes were obtained, is situated on an affluent of the river which bears this name. The main stream rises in the same marsh as the Polochic, but takes another valley, in Vera Paz, and again joins the Polochic, when they both flow into the Lake of Yzabal, and thence into the Atlantic. CuaGres.—This is the principal river of the Isthmus of Panama. It flows into the Atlantic. The fish were obtained near the railway bridge at Barbacoas, about halfway across the isthmus. Cuisoy.—Of the numerous names this river bears, I have chosen this for the principal stream which forms the large river that flows out into the Laguna de los Terminos, in the Bay of Campeachy. This branch is also known as the Rio Negro; and after receiving the water of the Rio de la Pasion, or Rio de Santa Isabel, as it is also called, the two are usually called the Usumacinta. Fishes were collected from this river near the Indian village of Cubulco; and a number were also procured by poisoning with herbs a small stream near Saouchil, an Indian village below the town of Coban, in Vera Paz. GuAcALATE.—Is one of the numerous rivers which drain the southern watershed of the main ridge into the Pacific. It flows past Antigua, the old capital of Guatemala. Fishes were obtained about 3500 feet above the sea, where the river is still quite a torrent. Moracua.—tThis river, the second largest in Guatemala, rises in the main ridge, and flows, with high mountains on either side, nearly due eastward into the Atlantic. Fishes abound in this river; and nearly every year a considerable length is poisoned, and a large quantity obtained. On one of these occasions a collection was made a little below the bridge over which the highroad from Guatemala to Vera Paz passes. Another collection came from lower down the stream, below the village of Tocoy. San Geronimo.—Is a tributary of the Chisoy before mentioned. A small collection was made near the village of San Geronimo, in a plain at the foot of the mountains whence it takes its rise. Santa IsaBEL.—A small stream flowing into this river, one of the principal branches of the Usumacinta, was poisoned, and a number of small fishes obtained. San Satvapor.—A few small fishes were caught by Capt. Dow in a warm stream near the capital town of this republic. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 381 Marine localities. BeEtizE.—All fishes from Belize were from the market, and were caught amongst the coral reefs which line this coast. Carpon! Isnanp.—Is situated at the mouth of the fine harbour of Realejo, in Nica- ragua. Fishes were found at low tide in the pools amongst the rocks, and caught with a landing-net. CurtapaM.—The whole coast of Guatemala, bordering the Pacific Ocean, is studded with a number of lagoons formed at the mouths of the numerous rivers which flow down from the neighbouring mountains. All these rivers are charged with volcanic sand, which is thrown back by the heavy surf that rolls in on this coast. The body of water brought down during the dry season is often insufficient to reduce this sandbar ; and it frequently happens that all outlet to the sea is stopped. The accumulation of water during the rainy season breaks this barrier; but it again forms when the water subsides. About the period of the cessation of the rains the natives cut an artificial channel, which, at first widening of itself, often remains open some months, each tide bringing a great quantity of fishes into the lagoon, which are there netted by drag-nets. The water is almost salt, but varies in this respect according to the size of the river which enters it. A few fishes were also obtained by a hook and line from a canoe in the open sea. LisertaD.—This is an open roadstead, the port of the City of San Salvador. Whilst we were lying at anchor here a few fishes were caught with a hook and line. PanamMa.—Most of the fishes taken in the Bay of Panama were found in the pools amongst the rocks at low tide. A reef running out from the town was an excellent locality ; one spring tide Capt. Dow and I secured twenty-four species in the course of half an hour. San Josi.—Is the port of Guatemala on the Pacific side; a few fishes were caught here in the open sea in a canoe. § 3. Definition of the Boundaries of the Fauna treated of in this Memoir. Although we may presume that our account contains a tolerably. complete list of the species inhabiting the localities visited, particularly as on several occasions poison (the best means for securing a complete series of the fishes of a certain locality) was resorted to, yet there is still a wide field for future explorers in a country where several forms (such as Heros, Pimelodus, and the Cyprinodontes) are so much developed and specialized. Of the fishes of Yucatan we still know absolutely nothing. The list of the marine fishes of the Atlantic coast will, without doubt, be considerably swelled, as the gentlemen mentioned paid much less attention to the Atlantic marine fauna (which would have yielded comparatively few novelties) than to the freshwater fauna. And knowing how little advantage is derived from, and how much confusion is caused by, receiving into a 1 This name is misspelt ‘ Cardoya” in several places in the 3rd volume of the ‘ Catalogue of Fishes.’—A. G. 382 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. fauna species which may be eapected to belong to it, although they are not yet disco- vered within its limits, I have excluded all species not actually known from Guatemala, although they have been obtained north and south of it. A collection made by Mr. Godman at Belize was of great value in determining’ this part of the fauna. Numerous species of fishes have been described trom Mexico’; and if we were better acquainted with their geographical distribution, it would have been useful to treat at least of the southern portion of them, in conjunction with the Guatemalan species. Unfortunately but a small proportion of the exact localities are known, so that at present no line can be drawn to indicate where the preponderance of nearctic types over tropical ones terminates. Thus, confining myself to the fishes occurring between the political boundary of Guatemala in the north and the Isthmus of Darien in the south, I would repeat that, previously to the receipt of the collections forming the basis to this Memoir, only a small number had been described, as will be seen from the following remarks :— § 4. Historical account of Publications previous to this Memoir. It would be of but little advantage to enumerate the few isolated species incidentally described in general works or memoirs as occurring in Guatemala or Panama. How- ever, I must mention that the first traveller who collected fishes in these states appears to have been Baron von Friepricustuan. I am not aware that any account of his travels has been published; but in a paper published by the late Jacop HeckeL in ‘Annalen des Wiener Museums,’ vol. ii. 1840, a single species is described, which is stated to be from Friedrichsthal’s Central-American Collection, and which I have recognized as belonging to the Lake-Peten fauna (Heros friedrichsthalii). The greater part of the collection made by this gentleman evidently remained unpublished until 1864, when Dr. F. Srerspacuner determined from it four other species (Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien, xxiii.), viz.:—Heros wrophthalmus (Gthr.), Heros triagramma=H. salvini (Gthr.), Heros melanopogon, and Petenia splendida (Gthr.). As we have received four of these species from Lake Peten, it is very probable that Baron Friedrichsthal visited and collected in that locality. In the second place I have to mention Dr. SzEMANN, who, as naturalist attached to the expedition of the ‘Herald, brought to England a collection of Central-American fishes. ‘These, as I have mentioned above, were originally deposited in the collection of Haslar Hospital, but no record as regards the origin of the specimens was kept, so that most of them are lost for the purposes of this Memoir. In the year 1861 I received the first collections from Mr. Satvin and Capt. Dow. The species belonging to the families treated of in the 3rd volume of the ‘ Catalogue of Fishes’ were described therein; and a separate account of those sent by the latter ' Prof. Troschel enumerates some 130 freshwater and marine species in Miiller’s ‘ Reisen in den Vereinigten Staaten,’ &c, DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 385 gentleman from the Pacific Coast of Central America was published in the Society's ‘Proceedings’ for 1861 (Nov. 26); it contained fourteen species, ten of which were new. In the following year the 4th volume of the ‘Catalogue of Fishes’ was published, containing the descriptions of those species of Pharyngognaths and Anacanthines which had arrived from our travellers, who were then engaged in collecting. In the year 1863 Mr. Gin published a descriptive enumeration of a collection of “Fishes from the western coast of Central America, presented to the Smithsonian Institution by Capt. J. M. Dow.” He distinguished in it the following twenty-five species, of which I consider eighteen to have been new to science (Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Philad. 1863, p. 162) :— Diapterus dowii, sp. n.= Gerres dovit. Pomacanthodes zonipectus, Gill. Centropomus armatus, sp. 0D. Epinephelus analogus, sp. n.=Serranus analogus. Promicropterus decoratus, sp. n.=Rhypticus decoratus. Bairdiella armata, sp. n.=Corvina armata. — Ophioscion typicus, sp.n.=Corvina ophioscion. Amblyscion argenteus, sp. X. Caranx panamensis, Gill,=Caranx speciosus (Forsk.). 10. Carangoides dorsalis, sp. n. 11. Carangus marginatus, Gill,= Caranz hippos, L., var. SHAAN wD 12. Oligoplites inornatus, sp. 1.=Chorinemus inornatus. 13. Exocetus dowiti, sp. n. albidactylus, sp. n. t=. bahiensis (Ranz.). 15. Upeneus grandisquamis, sp. 0. 16. Trichidion opercularis, sp. u.=Polynemus opercularis. approximans = Polynemus approximans (Lay & Benn.). 18. Mugil quentherii, Gill,= WM. brasiliensis (Agass.). 19. Batrachoides pacifici= Batrachus pacifici (Gthr.). Dormitator microphthalmus, Gill,=Eleotris maculata (B1.). Leptarius dowii, sp.n.=Arius dovit. . Sciades troschelii, sp. n.= Arius troschelit. Allurichthys panamensis, sp. n. 4. Atractosteus tropicus, sp. n.=Lepidosteus tropicus. . Urotrygon mundus, sp. 2. Dw pow wo bw ww a or At later periods Mr. Gill has described some other species incidentally, which will be referred to in the general list. A small collection made by Prof. M. WacNer on the Isthmus of Panama, between 7° and 9° lat. N., and 77° and 83° long. W., was examined by Messrs, Kner & STEIN- 384 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. DACHNER, who gaye a preliminary account of it in ‘Sitzgsber. bayer. Akad. Wiss.’ 1863, pp- 220-230, and more detailed descriptions in ‘Abhandl. bayer. Akad. Wiss.’ 1864 (1865), pp. 1-61. Prof. M. Wagner added, besides, a detailed account of the hydrographical peculiarities of this part of Central America (pp. 65-92). The species treated of in these Memoirs are the following :— . Pristipoma humile, sp.n. . Dajaus elongatus (K. & St.)=Agonostoma nasutum (Gthr.). . Dajaus monticola (C. & V.). . Acara ceruleopunctata, sp. n. . Heros altifrons, sp.n. . Heros sieboldii, sp. n. . Eleotris pictus, sp. n. . Engraulis macrolepidotus, sp. n. poeyi, sp. 0. . Xiphophorus gillii, K. & St.,= Pacilia, sp. ? . Macrodon brasiliensis, K. & St.,=M. microlepis (Gthr.). . Saccodon wagneri, sp. n. . Pseudochalceus lineatus, sp. n. . Chalcinopsis striatulus, sp. n. chagrensis, sp. 0. . Chalceus atrocaudatus, sp. n. . Letragonopterus eneus (Gthr.). gronovii (C. & V.%). . Bagrus ()arioides, sp. n.= Arius multiradiatus (Gthr.). - Pimelodus modestus (Gthr.) cinerascens (K. & St.)=P. wagneri (Gthr.). . Loricaria uracantha, sp. n. lima (Kner). . Hypostomus plecostomus (K. & St.)=Plecostomus, sp. . Ancistrus cirrhosus (C. & V.). . Acanthias vulgaris (Risso *). Finally, having received in 1864 the last collections made by Messrs. Godman & Salvin, 1 gave preliminary notices of the new species in the ‘ Proceedings’ of this Society, em- bodying the-numerous contributions to our knowledge of the Siluroids and Characinoids in the fifth volume of the ‘Catalogue of Fishes,’ to which were added the Cyprinodontes and Scombresocides in the sixth (1865-66). § 5. General List of Central-American Fishes. After these introductory remarks on the contributions to the ichthyology of Central DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 385 America preceding this Memoir, I at once proceed to give a list of all the species known to exist in these countries. There are comparatively few which I do not know from autopsy; their names are printed in italics. An asterisk (*) marks those which are described or remarked upon. The second column contains chiefly the names of the localities where they have been found within the limits of Central America. The localities of species occurring on both sides of the Isthmus are printed in italics; of these I shall treat again subsequently. Finally, the letter M signifies that a species is marine, B that it is known from brackish, and F that it is from fresh. water. ACANTHOPTERYGII. Fam. PERCIDA. Crentroromus, Cuv. 1, *appendiculatus, Poey . . . Chagres R. (Cuba, Mex., Surin.). . . . . . . FL&M. OF AmediussGiira 1s ©. 4 /o) SeChiapamen rane) os) ee) Oe” ere Bs. Se tnigrescens) Gin 1-28.» Chiapams eee ee. Ee ee. nee B. 4, *parallelus, Poey. . . . . Chagres R.(W.Indies,Bahia) . . . . + . . F&M. Be Sarmatusy Gillie + os: 4 ee Ohiapamten git lake a oe ee Teel eB. 6. *ensiferus, Poey . . . . . Belize (Cuba, Jamaica,Guyanas) . ...... B. Crentropristis, Bris. de Barnev. 7. *macropoma,Gthr. . . . . Panama. M Serranvs, Cu. 8. *creolus,C.&V.. . . . . Albl. & Pac... M 9: striatus, BL... Ce Atlant: PA ae eR RUGS Vi TOMcoronatisOng iene, ete eee Atlantis isn ts) me Ss eebhat eer cane civ, 11. undulosus,C.&V. . . . . Atlant. . M 10h) *pellicauday Gils 2 a4 ey) heen Racific Coast s)pee lye s+ 555+ eR PML Ip opuclbpit, GHG a) a tac, hone Cane pe 6) peep on pe Oe nie oo pelo lUEGE Prectroroma, Cuv. TA, tote EYE, cp a sake 8 ty to ZAI CO IATIRE IG ARR apres EOnrOy) “Cel Ich ue yma ibe! -ostcy alll Ruyericvs, Cuv, liner SdecoratusnGilee tt 1 shen RacihiciCoastees)-. % 4) en as oe PSs eee Mesorrion, Cu. a 16, chrysurus, Bl. . . . . . Atlant. . M Nf Gea, OL ae viel Sot Bysdie! AUR Rey detrios ah hope mite a Oe ties (eecee omen eao wewe ) Ne wuninotatussCn 6) Vaaen meena S Ph OCr item ry 8h tenes oss OME lO WaratistG//i7 ee ee meee CO iapamupbanamamen ., 0 o) autres cell. dork 20. vivanus,C.&V. . . . . . Atlant. . M Avocon, Lacép. DiesdovitnGi i eal eee ae acielOOash | Get. is fe. ees ce ek ee NE VOL. VI.—PART VII. 3H 386 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. Fam. PRISTIPOMATIDZ. Pristrpoma, Cuv. 22. *melanopterum,C.§V. . . All. & Pac.. 23. *virginicum, Ll. . . . . . Aél.& Pac.. 24, *dovil,Gthr. . . . . . . Panama: 25. *chaleeum, Gthr.. . . . . Panama. 26. *humile, Kner & Steind. . . Rio Bayano 27. *macracanthum, Gthr.. . . Chiapam ...-:.-... . 28. crocro,C.§ V. . . . . . Rio Motagua (Trop. Amer., Atlant.) 29. *leuciscus,Gthr.. . . . . San José, Chiapam, Panama . Conopon, C.& V. 30. *pacifici, Gitar. . . . . . Chiapam Hamuton, Cuv. 31. chromis, Brouwss.. . . . . Atlant. . $2) canna, €.&V.. -. = . . Atlant. . 33. xanthopterum,C.§ V. . . . Atlant. . ro Sea 34. *brevirostrum, Gthr. . . . Panama, Puerto Cabello 35. *margaritiferum, Gihr.. . . Panama. Losotss, Cuv. 36. auctorum, Gthr. . . . . . Atlant. (India) Fam. SQUAMIPINNES. Cuztopon, Cuv. S7-astmatous,.2.. 5 © - «|. - wAtlant. eo is 38) capistratus, 2. 5. 2) » Atlant. ~ ee 2 Uf o9 39. *humeralis,Gthr. . . . . Panama (Sandwich Isl.) Pomacantuvs, Lacép. 40. paru,Gthr.. . . . . . . Atlant. (Colon) 41. *zonipectus,Gill . . . . . Pace. . Erurerus, Cuv. 42. faber, Bl. . . . . . . . Atlant. (Belize) i Fam. MULLID. Urrnevs, C.& V. _ 48. *tetraspilus,Gthr. . . . . Panama. 44. *grandisquamis, Gill . . . Panama. Fam. SPARIDZ. Sarcus, Cuv. 45. unimaculatus, Bl. . . . . Atlant. (Belize) 46. avies,C.&V. . . . . . . Atlant. (Belize) Curysopurys, Cuv. 47. *calamus,C.§V.. . . . . Atl. & Pac. (Panama) PIMELEPTERUS, Cuv. 48. boscii, Lacép. . . . . . . Atl. & Pac. (Chiapam & Panama) . as Ss DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. Fam. CIRRHITIDZ. Crrruiricutuys, Blkr. 49, *rivulatus, Val. . . . . . Galapagos Islands, Panama Fam. SCORPAANID/. Scorpana, Art. 50. plumieri, Bl., Schn. . Atl. & Pac. (Panama) Fam. POLYNEMID. Potynemus, L. 51. *melanopoma, Gthr.. . . . San José aah 52. *approximans, Lay & Benn. . Pacif., Chiapam, Panama 53. *opercularis, Gill. . . . . Paeif. Fam. SCLENID. Larimus, C. & V. 54. *breviceps, C. & V, Microrocon, Cw. & Val. 55. undulatus, Z... :. . x . - Atlant. . 56. *altipinnis, Gthr. . Umsrina, Cuv. Atl. & Pac. (Panama) 57. *elongata,Gthr. . . . . . Chiapam 58. *nasus,Gthr. . . . . . . Panama. 59. *analis,Gthr.. . . . . - Panama. Corvina, Cw. 60. ronchus,C.&V. . . . . . Atlant. . 61. *chrysoleuca, Gthr. . . . . Panama. 62. *vermicularis, Gihr.. . . . Panama. 63. *armata, Gill. . . . . « Paeif. 64. *ophioscion,Gihr. . . . . Panama. OrouitHvs, Cuv. 65. *squamipinnis,Gthr. . . . Panama. . 66. *albus,Gthr. . . . . . . Chiapam ... . 67. *reticulatus,Gthr. . . . . San José, Chiapam . Fam. ACRONURID. Acantuurvs, Schn. 68. chirurgus, Bl.. . . . . . Atlant. . Fam. CARANGIDZ. Caranx, Gthr. 69. crumenophthalmus, B/.. . . Atl. & Pac. . 70. amblyrhynchus,C.&V.. . . Atlant. . 71. *leucurus,Gthr. . . . . . Panama. ..... . 72. *speciosus, Forsk. . . . . From Panama to East Africa . Chiapam, San José, Panama . oD” bo - B. & 387 S55 5 SS wes Ss BS & S555 388 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 73. carangus, Bl. . 74. *hippos, L. . 75. *caballus, Gthr. 76. *caninus, Gthr. 77. *dorsalis, Gill . Arcyriosus, Lac. 78. vomer, L. : 79. setipinnis, Mitch. Cuorinemvs, C. & V. 80. occidentalis, L. 81. saliens, BZ. . 82. *altus, Gthr. 83. *inornatus, Gill Tracuynotvs, C. & V. 84. ovatus, L. . 85. *fasciatus, Gill Petamys, C.& V. 86. *sarda, Bi. . Cysium, Cuv. 87. maculatum, Mitch. Ecuenets, Art. 88. remora, L. . 89. naucrates, L. Barracuus, Gthr. 90. *pacifici, Gthr. 91. surinamensis, Bl. Schn. . *THALASSOPHRYNE, Gthr. 92. *maculosa, Gthr. . 93. *reticulata, Gthr. . Poricutuys, Girard. 94, porosissimus, C. & V. ANTENNARIUS, Commers. 95. *leopardinus, Gthr. . 96. *tenuifilis, Gthr. . Gostus, Art. 97. soporator, C. & V.. 98. paradoxus, Gthr. . Atlant. & Ind. Occ, (Chiapam & Belize) . Tropics generally . nares Panama . : Panama . ee San Diego (Cal.), Panama . ee & Atl. & Pac. (Belize, Chiapam, Panama) Atl. & Pac. (Panama) Atlant. . OE ee Le Atlant. & Pac. (Chiapam, Isabel) . Panama . De Sat OE Panama . Atl., Pac., & Ind. Oc. (Panama) . Panama, San José ee: bs ee gael Fam. SCOMBRID&. AEG POE PRD. ne 5 ye, ee ES AO Atlant: (Belize) 2s ty. 1 OS eS Me Atl., Pac., & Ind. Oc. Atl., Pac., & Ind. Oc. Fam. BATRACHID. Panama, West Coast of Africa Atl. & Pacif. (Panama) . Puerto Cabello Panama. See eee All. & Pac. . Fam. PEDICULATI. Panama . ss Panama. Fam. GOBIID/. Ags bac. (panama) o. . s+ «ta aegis Bs Panama meee or OY Pos ba cinachee MS DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 389 99. mexicanus, Gthr. 100. seminudus, Gthr. Eucrenocosivs, Gill. 101. sagittula, Gthr. . Srtcyp1um, C. & V. 102. plumieri, B/. . Exeorris, Cuv. 103. *maculata, Bl. 104. somnolenta, Girard 105. dormitatrix, Bl. . 106. *longiceps, Gthr. 107. *picta, Kner . 108. *seminuda, Gthr. Ambtyopvs, C. & V. 109. *brevis, Gthr. Buirnnivs, Artedi. 110. brevipinnis, Gthr. Sararias, Cuv. 1li. atlanticus, C.& V. ; Cuinus, Gthr. 112. nuchipinnis, Q. & G. 113. delalandu, C. & V. 114. *macrocephalus, Gthr. . Cremnosartes, Gthr. 115. *monophthalmus, Gthr. Spnyrana, Artedi. 116. picuda, Bl. 117. forsteri, C.§ V. . ATHERINICHTHYS, Gthr. 118. *pachylepis, Gthr. . 119. *guatemalensis, Gthr. . Muett, Artedi. 120. *brasiliensis, Agass. 121. *incilis, Hancock 122. proboscideus, Gthr. Aconostoma, Benn. 123. *microps, Gthr. . Mexico, Rio Motagua Panama . Panama . Atl. & Pac. (Panama) Ail. & Pac. (Huamuchal) All. & Pac. (Cardon) Atl. (Rio Motagua, Yzabal) Lake of Nicaragua Rio Bayano Panama . Panama . Fam. BLENNIID. Pacif. All. & Pac. . Atl. & Pac. . All. & Pac. . Panama . Panama . Fam. SPHYRANIDZ. Ate Rave ramrur eee oe. Ind. Oc. & Pac. (Chiapam) Fam. ATHERINIDZ. Panama . Huamuchal Fam. MUGILID. Atl. & Pac. . Atl. (Chagres) . Atl. & Pac. (Cardon) . Rio Guacalate . .M.&B. ws .M.&F. .M.&F. F. 390 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 124, *nasutum, Gites s. 2) 125. *monticola, Bancroft . Myxvs, Gthr. 126. harengus, Gthr. . Rivers of both sides of C. America (R. San Geronimo, R. Motagua, Panama) W. Indies and rivers of both sides of C. America . Panama . Fam, FISTULARIID. Fistunaria, Lacép. 127. tabaccaria, L. All. & Pac. . Fam. GOBIESOCID. Sicyases, Miill. & Trosch. 128. fasciatus, Ptrs. . Gostesox, Lacép. 129. *rhodospilus, Gthr. . 130. nigripinnis, Ptrs. 131. nudus, BI. Puerto Cabello Panama . Puerto Cabello Atl. & Pac. (Cardon) PHARYNGOGNATHI ACANTHOPTERYGII. Fam Pomacrntrvs, C. & V. 132. *rectifrenum, Gill . 133. leucostictus, Miill. & Trosch. . GuypHipopon, Cuv. 134. saxatilis, Z. 135. concolor, Gill 136. declivifrons, Gill Hetiastes, C. & V. 137. *marginatus, Casteln. . Lacunotamvs, C. & V. 138. falcatus, LZ. Cossyruus, Giinth. 139. rufus, L. : 140. diplotznia, Gill . 141. *pectoralis, Gall . Puatyciossus, Gthr. 142. bivittatus, Bl. 143. *dispilus, Gthr. . Psruposuttis, Blkr. 144. *notospilus, Gthr. . POMACENTRID. Pacif. & All. Atl. JA i eh tt eRe All. & Pac. (Cardon) Pac. (Cardon) . All. & Pac. . Fam. LABRID. Atl. Atl. State 5k le eg Panama, Lower Calif. . Ae ae ee Panama, Lower Calif., St. Helena (? Cuba) Atl. Panama . Panama . M. shall tl SSS FS = 5S SES DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. Juyis, Gthr. 145. lucasana, Gill Scarus, Blkr. 146. abildgaardii, Bi. . Psreuposcarvs, Blkr. 147. sancte crucis, Bi. 148. guacamaia, C.& V. . Gourres, Cuv. 149. plumieri, C. § V. 150. *axillaris, Gthr. . 151. *brevimanus, Gthr.. 152. rhombeus, C.§ V. . 153. squamipinnis, Gthr. 154. aprion, C. & V. 155. *dovii, Gill Acar, Gthr. Panama, Lower Calif. . Atl. Atl. Atl. Fam. GERRID. Atl Chiapam Chiapam Dig PEE Atl. & Pac. (Chiapam) . Af ss ED (Jamaica) Atl. & Pac. (Chiap. & Panama) . Atl. & Pac. (Panama) Pac. -: Fam. CHROMIDES. 156. *ceruleopunctata, Kner & Steind. Chagres River Heros, Gthr. 157. *parma, Gthr. . 158. *margaritifer, Gthr. 159. *melanopogon, Steindachner 59 Ip 160. *melanurus, Gthr. 161. *macracanthus, Gthr. 162. *spilurus, Gthr. 163. *nigrofasciatus, Gthr. 164. *multispinosus, Gthr. 165. *longimanus, Gthr. 166. *urophthalmus, Gthr. 167. *aureus, Gthr. . 168. *affinis, Gthr. 169. *labiatus, Gthr. 170. *erythreus, Gthr. . 171. *lobochilus, Gthr. . 172. *citrinellus, Gthr. . 173. *altifrons, Kner & Steind. . 174. *friedrichsthalii, Heck. . 175. *salvini, Gthr. . 176. *trimaculatus, Gthr. . 177. *dovu, Gthr. 178. *motaguensis, Gthr. . Mexico, R. Chagres & R. Motagua Lake Peten . ? Lake Peten Lake Peten . : Chiapam & aarti : Rio Motagua, Yzabal . : Lakes of Amatitlan & Atitlan : Lake of Managua . Lake of Nicaragua . Lake Peten . Yzabal, Rio Miotena Lake Peten . Lakes of Managua & Nicaea Lake of Managua . Lake of Managua . Lake of Nicaragua . Western Veragua . Lake Peten . Santa Izabel, Lake Bate Chiapam, Huamuchal . Lake of Nicaragua . Rio Motagua F., B., & M. 392 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 179. *managuensis,Gthr.. . . . . Lake of Managua . F. 180. *microphthalmus, Gthr.. . . . Rio Motagua F. 181. *oblongus,Gthr. . . . . . . Rio Motagua F. 182. *nicaraguensis, Gthr.. . . . . Lake of Nicaragua. F. 183. *godmanni,Gidr.. . . . . . River ofCahabon . F. 184. *sieboldii, Kner & Stemdachner . New Granada F. 185. *guttulatus, Gthr.. . . . . . Lake of Amatitlan. : F. 186. *irregularis, Gthr. . . . . . Rio Usumacinta, 8. Geronimo . F. 187. *intermedius,Gthr. . . . . . Lake Peten . F. 188. *angulifer,Gthr. . . . . . . Yaabal, F, *Perenia, Gthr. 189. *splendida, Gthr. . . . . . . lake Peten . F. *Neetropivs, Gthr. 190)-enematopus, Gikr-. .. < «. ey, Wakeiof Managua... 1. 288.) Slow fe (SEE: ANACANTHINI. Fam. LYCODIDZ. *Micropesmvus, Gthr. UGieetdipusGihn 2° = |4 < ), SeeBanamals (bain 2d. eine Soa Fam. OPHIDIID. Brortuta, Cuv. 192:\*Pmultibarbatasschleg. ~ <9’ MPac.’coast: s = >see? ieee _ opaMe Drvematicutuys, Blkr. LO3eamareinatus, Ayres’. sees * Panamal>. 2 3: os . .oRRmemeqer sees Oruipium, Cuv. L94tebrevibarbesCuv; 0" 0 PMA seUP ac: 4s 2 2... We eee eee Fam. PLEURONECTID. Crrnaricutuys, Blkr. 195; *spilopterus, G7ir- " : © sa eA éPac.(Chiapam)- ; = = 72 eee MGB: 196. *guatemalensis, Blkr. . . . . Guatemala Hemiruomeus, Blkr. 197. *ovaliss Gthrs go Bown. 2 ot BRR Rach Oeek en) Cae 5 eee AEM: Psruporuomevs, Blkr, 198... *brasiliensis: Ranzant +: SRP RARISS PS Se ae ie. -2 Soxea, Gthr. 1995 seutamiGihr. 4 2 = = ls) Sebanama: Apnoristia, Kaup. 200! “omatayiactp? to 2» APM mel RON ECAC ont: WU; neh. SRR gts reese emnton ene VIR DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. ~ PHYSOSTOMI. Fam. SILURID. Amiurus, Rafin. 201. *meridionalis, Gthr. . Pruetopvs, Gthr. 202. modestus, Gthr. 203. guatemalensis, Gthr. . 204. godmanni, Gthr. 205. *wagneri, Gthr. 206. *managuensis, Gthr. . 207. micropterus, Gthr. 208. nicaraguensis, Gthr. . 209. petenensis, Gthr. . 210. motaguensis, Gthr. 211. salvini, Gthr. 212. polycaulus, Gtir. . Artus, Gthr. 213. guatemalensis, Gthr. . 214. *assimilis, Gthr. 215. platypogon, Gthr. . 216. seemanni, Gthr. 217. cerulescens, Gthr. 218. troschelii, Gill . 219. *dovii, Gill . 220. melanopus, Gthr. . 221. multiradiatus, Gthr. . iiuricutuys, Baird & Gir. 222. *nuchalis, Gthr. 223. *panamensis, Gill . Piecostomus, Gthr. 224. *?sp., Kner & Steindachner Cuztostomus, Heck, 225. *aspidolepis, Gthr. 226. *?cirrhosus, Val. Loricarta, Lacép. 227. *uracantha, Kner & Steindachner . 228. lima, Kner . Rio Usumacinta Rio Chagres, Esmeraldas Huamuchal Lower Vera Paz, Rio Motagua, Mexico . Pacific & Atlantic rivers of Panama . Lake of Managua . Rio San Geronimo . Lake of Nicaragua . Lake Peten . Rio Motagua Rio San Geronimo . Rio San Geronimo. Chiapam, Panama . Lake of Yzabal . San José . 9 Huamuchal . Pac. Pac. «,e }: Rio Motagua Rio Bayano . Panama Panama Rio Chagres . Veragua Rio Chagres . Atlantic & Pacific rivers of Panama . Atlantic & Pacific rivers of Panama . Fam. CHARACINID. Macrovon, Mill. & Trosch. 229. *microlepis, Gthr.. TETRAGONOPTERUS, Cuv. 230. fasciatus, Cuv. . VOL. VJ.—PART VII. W. Ecuador, Rio Chagres From Brazil to Mexico (Huamuchal, Rio Guacalate, Rio Motagua, Rio Chisoy) 393. ta 394 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 231. microphthalmus, Gthr. . . . . Lakeof Amatitlan, Pacif.Coast of Guatemala, Peru. 232. panamensis,Gihr.. . . . . . Panama, Yzabal 233. brevimanus, Gthr.. . . . .-.- Rio S. Geronimo, Yzabal. 234. petenensis, Gthr.. . . . . . Lake Peten,W. Ecuador . 235. humilis, Gitar. . . . . . . . Lake of Amatitlan . Us che ep epee 236. *eneus,Gthr. . . . . . . . Mexico, Pacific & Atlantic rivers of Panama Cuatcinopsis, Kner. ; 237. *dentex,Gthr.. . . . . . . Rio Motagua and Usumacinta, Yzabal; Ecuador . 238. striatulus, Kner . . . . . . Pacific & Atlantic rivers of Panama . 239. chagrensis, Kner . . . . . . Rio Chagres . Anacyrtvs, Gthr. 240. *guatemalensis, Gihr. . . . . RioChagres, Huamuchal . Fam. SCOPELID. Saurus, C. & V. PAN foetenssalas se fee ino aopreerAll. 6 Puc: 242. myops, Bl. ... . . . . . . Atl. & Pac. Fam. SCOMBRESOCID. HemrruamrPuves, Cuv. 243. unifasciatus, Ranzani . . . . Atlantic, Pacific, & Indian Oceans Exocetus, Artedi. 244. *callopterus,Gthr. . . . . . Pace. 245. albidactylus, Gill Daas agate: Ranz.). : Smiths & odbc dovir Gillis a my. - st eon. 0. Pace Fam. CYPRINODONTID. *CHARACODON, Gthr. 247, *lateralis,Gthr. . . . . . . ——? Haptocuitus, M‘Clell. 248. *dovii,Gthr. . . . . . . . Punta Arenas (Costa Rica) . Funpuuvs, C. & V. 249. *labialis, Gthr.. . . . . . . Rio S. Geronimo, Yzabal . 250. *punctatus,Gthr.. . . . . . Chiapam . 251. *guatemalensis, Gthr. =i Ecuailor 252. *pachycephalus, Gthr. . . . . Lake of Atitlan. Betonesox, Kner. 253. belizanus, Kner . . . . . . Lake Peten, Honduras, Mexico Gampusia, Poey. 254. *nicaraguensis, Gthr. . . . . Lake of Nicaragua. ANABLEPS, Artedi. 255. doviil, Gill . . . . . . . . Chiapam . Jf Lakes of Duefias & Amatitlan, Rio Guacalate, W. badd dat bat F. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. Paeciiia, Gthr. - 256, mexicana, Steindachner . ane .. F&B. 257. thermalis, Steindachner . San Salvador, Mexico F. . 258. chisoyensis, Gthr. . Rio Chisoy F, 259. *elongata, Gthr. Panama . 260. *petenensis, Gthr. . Lake Peten . MLL ithe 261. dovii, Gthr. . Lakes of Nicaragua & iensihan Mexioa A ltrs al ac 262. *gillii, Kner Rio Chagres . F, 263. spilurus, Gthr. . =o Mo.uiengsia, Lesueur. 264. *petenensis, Gthr. Lake Peten . F. Xipnoruorvs, Gthr. 265. *hellerii, Heck. . Rio Chisoy, Mexico F. Girarpinus, Poey. 266. *pleurospilus, Gthr. . Lake of Duefias F, Fam. CYPRINID. Scierocnaruus, Gthr. 267. meridionalis, Gthr. Rio Usumacinta F. Fam. CLUPEID. Cuanos, Lacép. 268. salmoneus, Forst. . Indian & Pacific Oceans (Chiapam) M.&B. Atsuta, Gronov. 269. conorhynchus, Bi. Tropical & Subtropical seas (Panama) M. Mueators, Lacép. . 270. thrissoides, Schn. . Atlantic . M. PrisTiGasterR, Cuv. 271. *macrops, Gthr. Panama M. 272. *dovii, Gthr. Panama M. Cuiurea, Artedi. 273. *libertatis, Gthr. . Libertad . M. Cuatozssus, C. & V. 274. *petenensis, Gihr. Lake Peten . F. Enerautis, C. & V. 275. brownii, C. & V. é Atlantic & Pacific (Libertad) M. &B. 276. *poeyi, Kner & Biciudeonmes Rio Bayano . aes F. 277. *macrolepidota, Kner & Steind. . Rio Bayano . F. CrrencravLis, Gthr. 278. *mysticetus, Gir. Pacific coast of Panama . M. Fam. GYMNOTID®. Cararus, Mill. & Trosch. 279. *fasciatus, Pall. Rio Motagua F. ps Duefias, Rio Chisoy, Huamuchal, Lake of 395 12 oo 396 Dk. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. Ornivurvs, Lac. 280. triserialis, Kaup. 281. boro, Ham. Buch. . 282. breviceps, Richards. . Morana, Cuv. 283. lineopinnis, Richards. SympBrancuvs, Bl. 284. marmoratus, Bl. 285. immaculatus, Bi. . Diovon, Kaup. 286. sex-maculatus, Cuv. Trtropon, L. 287. *politus, Girard 288. *geometricus, Gthr. . Osrracton, L. 289. cornutus, L. 290. bicaudalis, L. Bautstes, Hollard. 291. vetula, L. ; 292. *frenatus, Lacép. . 293. niger, Osbeck ALEUTERES, Cuv. 294. monoceros, Osbeck LEPIDOSTEUS 295. *tropicus, Gill . Muste.uvs, Bonap. 296. *dorsalis, Gill . ACANTHIAS 297. vulgaris, Risso . CaRrCHARIAS 298. *maculipinnis, Poey . ZycH#na, Cuv. 299. tiburo, L Rutnosatus, Miill. & Hede 300. *leucorhynchus, Gthr. Fam. MURAINIDZ. Atlantic & Pacific . ; Indian Ocean, West Indies . Pacific coast. . Atlantic & Pacific (Panama) Fam. SYMBRANCHID. M., B., & F. Atlantic (Rio Chisoy, Huamuchal, Lake Peten), Pacific Coast of Guatemala . PLECTOGNATHI. Indian & Pacific Oceans (Panama) San José . Panama & Galapasos fale Tropics Atlantic . Tropics Indian & Pacific teats iGangaies Isl. Ws Ind., Pac., & Atlant. Oceans Ind., Pac., & Atlant. Oceans GANOIDEI. Huamuchal . ELASMOBRANCHII. Panama Atl., Ind., & Pac. Oceans (Panama) Cuba, Chiapam . Atl. Panama M., B., & F. M. S S85 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 397 Pristis, Lath. 301. antiquorum, Lath. . . . . . Atl. & Pac. Oceans (Chiapam). . . ... =. Mz Urotoraus, Miill. § Henle. BO cavunaus Grillas epee heer sui 25) Pac HW ee ee a ee ee eM Aftozatis, Mill. & Henle. 303. *latirostris, A. Dum... . . . Gaboon,Panama ........... Mz § 6. Partial Identity of the Fish-faunas of the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts of Central America. It will be seen that, as far as our present knowledge reaches, of these 303 species, 173 are truly marine forms, 57 being found on both sides of the Isthmus. 25 have been found in brackish water, of which 3 are found on both sides of the Isthmus. 101 are freshwater fishes, 17 being found in rivers of the Atlantic and Pacific sides. There will be but very few species which are entirely limited to brackish water, and which may not be with equal propriety added either to the marine or freshwater fauna. Thus, five of the 25 species hitherto known from lagoons with brackish water belong to freshwater genera ; and, admitting two groups only, we have 193 marine fish, 59 of which are found on both sides of Central America=304 per cent. 106 freshwater fish, 19 being found in rivers of the Atlantic and Pacific sides=18 per cent. From the circumstance that our collectors paid more attention to the freshwater than to the marine fauna (at least of the Atlantic coast), we may assume that the pro- portion between the two groups will be increased by future researches in favour of the marine fauna, but that the proportion between species peculiar to one side and those common to both will be lessened, inasmuch as every collector will discover other Atlantic forms on the Pacific side, and vice versd. The very curious fact of the partial identity of the species of both coasts of Central America was first distinctly stated by myself in the Society’s ‘ Proceedings’ for 1861 (p. 370), when, out of fourteen species collected by Capt. Dow on the Pacific side, five were found to be Atlantic forms. To these various others were added by me in the ‘Catalogue of Fishes;’ and Mr. Gill confirmed this observation in Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1862, pp. 140, 249. Professor Wagner, in his memoir quoted above (p. 384)}, has made the same observation; but the species enumerated by him, fourteen in number, are, with one exception, freshwater forms, the geographical distribution of which must have been brought about at periods and in ways different from those of the diffusion of marine species. Knowing now that at least 30 per cent. of the marine fish are found on both sides of ‘ See also ‘ Record, Zool. Literat.’ ii. p. 177. 398 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. Central America', we cannot account for this fact by resorting to such occasional means of dispersal as the accidental transmission of spawn from one shore to the other by birds or water-spouts, or even the close proximity of the sources of rivers flowing in opposite directions. If we do not adopt the view that species were created at the spot where we find them now, similar creations being produced under similar physical conditions, we have but one way of explaining the partial similarity of these marine fish-faunas, namely, by assuming that the Isthmus did not form a continuous barrier between the two oceans at a former period, but that one or more open channels existed. I am not aware that geology has, up to this time, furnished us with proof positive that this is really the fact; but considering the volcanic nature of Central America, and the absence of all fossiliferous strata, it does not appear too bold an hypothesis to assume that North and South America were formerly connected by a chain of islands similar to that of the Antilles, and that subsequently an elevation (as in other parts of the globe) took place, resulting in the final continuity of dry land: the long-continued activity of the numerous volcanoes may have been another, though secondary cause in filling up the channels on the Pacific side. If such a bodily elevation of Central America has taken place, it is easy to show where some of the broadest channels existed, namely, where we find the greatest depressions running from one ocean to the other. The northern- most of these depressions exists between Tehuantepec and the river Coatzalco ; the second is indicated between Puerto Cabello and the Gulf of Fonseca; the third by the Lake of Nicaragua (the remnant and deepest part of a very broad channel) ; a fourth between Chagres and Panama. (See map, Pl. LXIIL, where these supposed former depressions are coloured green.) As far as I have been able to ascertain, the greatest elevation of the first of these lines of depression would be 1500, of the fourth 287 feet only. If we presume that only one of the channels was open at a period when the present marine fauna was already in existence, it will fully explain the existence of identical species on both sides of the isthmus, especially if the difference of the tides was as great as it is now’, causing strong currents from one ocean to the other. Such an instance of a disconnexion of a marine fauna by elevation of land as I am inclined to assume in the case of Central America does not stand quite alone. We owe to the researches of Prof. 8. Lovén and Dr. Malmgren‘ the knowledge of the fact that marine animals (Crustacea, Annelids, and Fishes) inhabiting the glacial ocean are found in the great freshwater lakes of Sweden and in the Bothnian Gulf, and that this is to be explained only by the former continuity of the Baltic with the Glacial Ocean. During the second half of the glacial period the greater part of Finland and of the ’ Mr. Darwin (‘ Origin of Species,’ 3rd edit. p- 378) was not acquainted with this fact, which by no means mili- tates against his argument, but merely modifies it. 2 M. Wagner, J. c. p. 87. 3 At Chagres the mean elevation is 1:16 foot, while at Panama the highest flow is 22 feet. (Seemann, Voy. of H.M.S. ‘ Herald,’ i. p. 236.) « Lovén, Skand. Naturforsk.-Siillskap. férst. offentl. mote d. 9 Juli 1863: Stockholm, 1864, Malmgren, ‘ Kritisk Ofversigt af Finlands Fiskfauna,’ see ‘ Zool. Record,’ i. pp. 136-188. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA, 399 middle of Sweden was submerged, and the Baltic was a great gulf of the Glacial Ocean, and not connected with the German Ocean. By the gradual elevation of the Scandi- navian continent, the Baltic became disconnected from the Glacial Ocean, and the great lakes separated from the Baltic. The Isthmus of Suez appears to have been a much more permanent barrier between the faunas of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. R. A. Philippi has drawn up a list of species of shells common to both faunas; but it was founded on a collection made by Ehrenberg, in which the shells from both seas had been mixed’; and P. Fischer’ has lately shown that the two faunas.are quite distinct. As regards the fishes, I have men- tioned (on former occasions) a few occurring in both seas (Sargus noct, Sargus rondeletit) ; but the number is so small that one might be tempted to account for it by the tempo- rary existence of an artificial communication between the two seas. Looking at the results of the separation of the Baltic from the Glacial Ocean on the one hand, and of that of the Pacific from the Atlantic on the other, we find them very different. As soon as the continuity of the Baltic with the Glacial Ocean was inter- rupted, the amount of fresh water carried into the former by rivers exceeded the quantity lost by evaporation of its surface, and the salt water gradually changed into brackish, and in the northern parts into fresh water. By far the greater part of the animals became extinct; but a few survived’, however, in spite of the greatly altered physical con- ditions, without altering their specific characters, still agreeing with the typical forms in every point, except in size, remaining smaller, leaner, almost starved. The same thing might happen if by a rising of the chain of the West-Indian islands the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean Sea were at a future time converted into inland seas with narrow out- lets into the open ocean. The separation of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans was, of course, not accompanied by a change of the water; and any difference that existed in the physical conditions of both seas, as, for instance, the formation of corals on the Atlantic side, and their total absence on the Pacific, existed already before the communication between the oceans was closed ; so that the life of species was not in any way affected by the discontinuance of this communication. Let us for argument’s sake assume that the part of the isthmus between the Lake of Nicaragua and Panama was once an island, @ pew prés of the form of Cuba, inhabited, like Cuba, on its northern and southern coasts by a certain species of fish. The only effect of a gradual rise of the land on the life of this species would be to force it to retreat further and further from the original coast, and to accommodate itself to the new one—an effect to which, if felt at all, the individuals on the northern and southern coasts would be equally exposed. Thus there is in this case no apparent external cause for an alteration of the species; and, indeed, the specimens examined by me from opposite coasts of the isthmus are absolutely identical, and there is not the slightest indication that one of them has been modified or degenerated into a climatic or local variety. I trust that 1 Martens, in ‘ Zoolog. Record,’ ii. p. 237. > Journ. Conehyl. xii, 1865, pp. 241-248, 3 Seven or eight species of the northern part of the Baltic are believed to be of Arctic origin. 400 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. geology will furnish us with the proof of the former partial submergence of a part of Central America, as it has done with respect to the northern part of Scandinavia. We should then be able to speak with more confidence of the permanence, or rather endu- rance, of the characters of a specific type, and arrive at. a somewhat more definite idea of the age of species which must have existed before those geological changes were completed’. Sir CHAr.Es LYE. has directed my attention to collateral evidence from other classes of the animal kingdom, by which the partial identity of the faunas of the two coasts is shown, although not in an equally conclusive manner. The majority of malacologists appear to have presumed @ priori their distinctness, and consequently described Pacific shells generally as distinct from Atlantic species. However, Dr. Mércu, in a paper in which he describes or enumerates about 36() Panama species, makes the following remarks (Pfeiff. Malakozool. Blatt. 1859, p. 107) :— “The tropical [molluscan] faunee may be classed in two principal divisions, the Indian and the Atlantic. ‘To the latter belong, 1, the Guinean (Senegalian); 2, the Antillian ; and 38, the Panaman, which, although belonging to the Pacific, appears to be most analogous to the Guinean. A great number of species, especially of Bivalves, have been regarded as identical with those from the eastern (Brazilian) shore. I believe I can prove that they are different. Certain irregular mollusks cannot be separated diagnostically; but I can recognize them by their general habit. It is at all events a fact that no species stamped with definite characters (wohlausgepriigt) is identical on both sides of the isthmus. The Panama species may be divided into:—1l, those analogous to West-Indian ; 2, those analogous to species from Guinea and Senegal ; 3, those very remotely analogous to East-Indian species.” * I may on this occasion recur to a remark made by me in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1858, p. 381, with regard to the sea-snakes observed in the Bay of Panama by M. Sallé, Capt. Dow, and Mr. Salvin. There is now not the least doubt that the snakes seen were Pelamys bicolor, and that they are, moreover, very common there. I find that Dr. Seemann (Voy. ‘ Herald,’ i. p. 265) already mentions them. But I am much inelined to think that this most common Indian species has migrated eastwards, and that its arrival on the West-American coast is of very recent date. Dampier and the other bucaniers who have left us records of their adventures, and who passed weeks and months in the Bay of Panama, could not have failed to observe them, and to mention them in their notes, just as they did on other occasions. It is also probable that these snakes would have spread into the Atlantic Ocean, had they been so numerous on the Pacific side at the time when a communication existed between the two oceans. Whilst this paper was passing through the press, I found two notices of the existence of water-snakes on the western coasts of South America, in seas considerably more southwards than the Bay of Panama. The notes are in Capt. Sharp’s Voyage in “‘ The History of the Bucaniers of America.” London, 1699, 8yvo, vol. ii. p. 50: “As we sailed” [near Cape St. Francisco, which is nearly under the equator] “we saw multitudes of Grampusses every day; as also Water-snakes of divers colours.” And p. 72, when sailing in lat. 19° S., the author mentions “ A huge shoal of fish, two or three Water-snakes, and several Seals.’ I find in another part of the same work a note which I believe to be the first description of Zapirus bairdi. The part has a separate title-page, ‘A Journal of a Voyage made into the South Sea by the Bucaniers or Freebooters of America from the year 1684 to 1689. Written by the Sieur Raveneau de Lussan.” Lond. 1698, 8yo. The Indian name of the Tapir is given as Manipourye, page 16. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 401 These remarks appear to me to convey very strong testimony in accordance with my own observation on the ichthyological fauna, inasmuch as the author refers the Panama Mollusks generally to the Atlantic fauna. He, indeed, denies the perfect identity of the species, admitting merely an ‘“‘ analogy” between them; but then it is a question whether malacologists do not go too far in making specific distinctions, when they are not even able to express those distinctions ‘“ diagnostically,” recognizing the forms merely “by their general habit.” Shells are, after all, that portion of a mollusk the formation and development of which is most influenced by the peculiarities (physical and chemical) of the surrounding medium and locality; and only too many specific forms have been distinguished on account of slight differences in the sculpture and shape of the shells, the importance of which disappears on comparing a large series of examples. However, as I am not prepared to form an opinion with regard to the shells of Central America from my own examination, I am bound to receive the testimony of so celebrated a malacologist as Dr. Morch; and should his observations prove to be fully correct, they will give an additional interest to this fauna, as proving that the shells of Mollusks suffer change under circumstances in which the specific characters of fishes remain unaltered. With regard to fossil shells, Mr. J. C. Moorn, who has examined several. collections from tertiary beds in San Domingo, has made the observation that “‘ many bear a strong resemblance to shells now living in the Indian Seas and the Pacific, and that one or two appear to be identical” (Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. 1853, p. 131), and “ that a channel or sound may have existed in the equatorial parts during some portion of the tertiary period, by which some few of the tropical shells may have migrated from the one ocean to the other” (ibid. 1850, p. 43). Of the other marine animals, the Corals have been made the object of elaborate researches, the various authors arriving at somewhat different conclusions. First, Mr. Duncan, in a paper “On the Fossil Corals of the West-Indian Islands” (Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. xix. 1865, p. 455), has shown that “in all the calcareous formations which are coralliferous, and are considerably elevated above the level of the Caribbean Sea [being probably of miocene age], there is a very limited series of Corals with generic relation to those now existing and characteristic of the West-Indian Coral Fauna, but a predominance of forms resembling those of the present Coral-seas of the Pacific, South Sea, and the Indian Ocean.” This identity of the Corals proves an identical condition of the physical circumstances, and evidently a wide continuity of the West-Indian and Western seas. On the other hand, Prof. Verritt, when speaking of the living Polyp-faune of the Atlantic and Pacific sides of Central America (Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. x. 1866, p- 323 et seq.), states that their differences of character are very remarkable; that at Panama none of the reef-building corals of Aspinwall, Florida, or the West Indies occur, nor even any of the genera of the families to which they belong, with the VOL. VI.—PART VII. 3K 402 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. exception of a small Porites and Stephanocora ; that these and other differences do not favour the theory entertained by some geologists, viz. that there has been a communi- cation between the two oceans at this point, and that the Gulf-stream flowed across the isthmus into the Pacific, within comparatively recent geological times. It is not within the scope of this paper further to discuss the point on which Messrs. Duncan and Verrill are at variance, as we cannot assume that the present fish-fauna existed at so early a period. From the observations made on the fishes and shells we are obliged to conclude that down to a very recent period a connexion between the two seas has been kept open by channels and straits wide enough to allow of the passage of these animals. Why corals, or at least a part of them, should not have been dis- persed by their floating germs in a similar manner, is a circumstance which we cannot explain. The occurrence of identical species of freshwater fishes in rivers running to the two opposite oceans is a matter of much less difficulty, and, besides, has been very generally observed in various parts of the globe. ‘The same agencies which in other countries have effected a wider dispersion of one species than of another must have been at work here also. Prof. M. Wagner has, in his Memoir quoted above, so fully treated of this part of our subject, with particular reference to the hydrographical peculiarities of the isthmus, that we need not dwell further on it. § 7. Definition of the Characteristics of the Fish-fauna of Central America. In defining the zoological characters of Central America, expressed in its fish-fauna, I confine myself to the freshwater fishes proper. Here the nearctic types become extinct, and are represented by five generic types, four of which, although with numerous species in the north, have but a single one here—Lepidosteus, Amiurus, Sclerognathus, and Haplochilus. Fundulus, extending a little further southwards (with one species in Western Ecuador), is represented by four species in Guatemala. Not one of these species is identical with a North-American. Much greater is the affinity with neotropical types; and their representatives are much more numerous: there is one species of Acara, one of Macrodon, seven of Tetragono- pterus, one of Anacyrtus, twelve of Pimelodus, one of Plecostomus, two of Chetostomus, two of Loricaria, one of Anableps, one of Carapus, the latter being identical with a species from Guiana. Types in common with the West-Indian Islands are—Agono- stoma with three species (one of which is said to be identical with a Jamaican species), Girardinus and Gambusia with one, the two latter genera being also represented in the Southern States of North America. The Siluroid genus Arius, which extends over the tropics generally, is represented by nine species. Finally, the following genera are peculiar to Central America, or at least have attained there to the greatest development :—Zeros and the allied Meetroplus and Petenia with thirty-four species, Hlurichthys with two, Chalcinopsis with three, Characodon with one, DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 403 Xiphophorus with one, Mollienesia with one, Pecilia with eight, and Belonesox with one species. The affinity of this freshwater fini with that of Mexico, will be found to be greater than with that of any other country (I might mention about ten species common to Guatemala and Mexico); but until we are better acquainted with the habitats of species described as Mexican, a more detailed comparison of the two countries would be of but little advantage. The freshwater fish-fauna of Central America may be shortly thus characterized :—A part of the Chromides (Heros, &c.) and the Cyprinodontes generally have attained to their greatest development ; neotropical types extending northwards prevail over nearctic extending southwards, the latter being represented by a few extreme branches. § 8. An Attempt to Subdivide this Fauna into Provinces. We may subdivide this part of the freshwater fauna into the following provinces :— A. The fresh waters north of the Lakes of Managua and Nigaraqua, emptying into the Pacific.—To this province belong the fishes collected at Chiapam [Ch.], Huamuchal [H. ], San José[J.], in the Rio Guacalate (Duefias) [G. ], San Salvador [S.], and Libertad [L.]; also the fishes from the DES of Amatitlan [Am.] and Atitlan [At.] may be referred to the same province, [The species printed in italics in the following lists are found also in one or more other provinces, and in Atlantic rivers. | Heros macracanthus 9:7: - . . . Ch: H. iramaculapusie es wees eee oe chy a) el. = = = =e = nigrofaseiatus . .. +) 5. +. +. — — eutiulatns: vs cuetas! ue st eee eee = = Avius guatemalensis, . . . .. .Ch — = Agonostoma microps ......— a — G. = = — ——platypogon «5. 2)... ke J cerulescensi; a.gos) sume eet H Pimelodus guatemalensis . . . . . — H. — — = — = Anacyrtus guatemalensis . . . . . — H Tetragonopt. microphthalmus. . . . — — — — — An — UNTER | eget gt, bal Syd Fe Baath love = — — — — An. — Fundulus guatemalensis . . . . . — — — G, — An, — pachyecephalusie) ey) se) ct — — — — — SSN PUnclabush Aye tae ett eet.) tr Ohi |e — — = = — Anablepsidoyiiemes mk eatin er oS Chy 7 = == Peciliamexicona. . . . . % . . Ch. 4. _ G. — An. — CREF MAUS 20) GROEN — — = Cy AED onion tuk O MEE? 13, era eee — — — — An. — Girardinus pleurospilus. . . . . . — — — G: — — — Clipeatlibertatises =) eset 20) — — a L. — — Lepidosteus tropicus. . . . . . 2. — H. — — — — — 404 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. B. The fresh waters north of the Lakes of Manaqua and Nicaragua, emptying into the Atlantic.—To this province belong the fishes collected in the Rio Usumacinta [U.] (and in its tributaries Rio de Santa Isabel, Rio Chisoy, and Rio San Geronimo), in the Rio Motagua [M.], and in the Rio Cahabon (Yzabal) [Y.]. IMlechsidormitdinie 1G) oss bees ie i) Gea ee M. Ve Agonosioma nasutum 6: . . . . +» - » » e« « WU, M. —_ LET OSVPURIMU Leta get te es epee oho ee ores a ae Spilurussies! APR EN. re TIN SOR Send cree UL CUS Fe Fa RT ie Mash | NUTR WUE coe eae MADRE Se) Ge dey te M M M == motamuénsisinyid Gal Cie Piel ede ES M. — —— microphthalmus:) 2.0 5 0. Se M == oblongus: 8 6" Re ais. aS Re On er M —angulifer . = —— salvini . : U ATCC H ULATIS 2d Gat Tye SURMISE. ci Sled pet) Pee, doa (Ul. _ godmanni . ATION CASSIS Ha) tse bectip Roads take ct Ate ame baave |S a huslbeidace melanopus = AMTUTUSeMeridionalisi; 2). ees Hea we cee ei iPimelodusizodmanniy- meer eee: aha vo Us MOLAPTIENSIS pseu Nee eye Lees shy” eee M. — Salvini erg ot See aE Meee Tce Tego eee LS — me INOKEWIC xg. alo OR) anor Gl oe Orem mete LUIs —_— Tetragonopterus panumensis. . . . . 6 ee ee —_ brevimanus >. =O! Cpu temas ae si @halemopsistdentex” 3) 2" 5) eo | tat eae tee ve UE Fundulus labialis U. Belonesox belizanus’”.) Fos Foe Pe ey aes Honduras, Belize. Posciliaxchisoyensis# et 's74) ets. “eens alse Ue — — | 3 | dd i x | Xu phophorusthell crite eae tetee wt oe eee ee Ue = _— Sclerognathusimeridionalis=. 2-5 . 2°. 2. sas Jee Ue = | Carapusifasciatisistg.re tee fad boo Se en See C. Lake Peten.—The fish-fauna of this limited district is so peculiarly developed, that we cannot hesitate to describe it as a separate province. Heros margaritifer, Petenia splendida. —— melanurus. Pimelodus petenensis. urophthalmus. Tetragonopterus petenensis. affinis. Belonesox (im common with province —-— friedrichsthalii. B). salvini (in common with pro- Peecilia petenensis. vince B). Mollienesia petenensis. intermedius. Cheetoéssus petenensis. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA, 405 D. Lake of Managua.—Although the number of species known from this lake is small, the forms are quite peculiar; we find here those species of Heros which are distinguished by the extraordinary development of the lips, or by incisor-like teeth, which render the separation into a distinct genus necessary. The development of these Chromides is the more remarkable, as this lake occupies a space which is supposed to have been a portion of a marine channel. Heros erythreeus. | Heros lobochilus. managuensis. | multispinis. labiatus. | Neetroplus nematopus. E. Lake of Nicaragua.—Also the fishes of this lake are, with two exceptions, peculiar ; like Lake Managua, it appears to have been part of a marine channel. Fleotris longiceps. Heros labiatus (Lake of Managua). Heros longimanus. Pimelodus nicaraguensis. | citrinellus. | Gambusia nicaraguensis. - | | | | dovii. Pecilia dovit (m common with Lake nicaraguensis. Amatitlan). F. The fresh waters south of the Lakes of Managua and Nicaragua to the Isthmus of Darien.—We are obliged, at present, to unite into one province the fish-fauna of Costa Rica, Veragua, Panama, and Darien, as our knowledge of the fishes of Costa Rica and also of Veragua is too incomplete to admit of a comparison with those of the more southern part of the isthmus. This is the more to be regretted, as a former separation of these two parts and of their faunas is, as we have explained above, a matter of great probability. The fishes of the Chagres River show a decidedly South-American cha- racter. The identity of the freshwater fish-faunas of the Pacific and Atlantic sides is here easily explained by the narrowness of the isthmus. Hleotrusypictagy else eee — — R. Bayano. Agonostoma nasutum . . . + . = Panama. = TLOTULCOL Ge en — Panama. — [Eerosy paca a eee OLACTeS: = — altthrOnS? se, se wei = Western Veragua. Acara ceruleomaculata . . . . Chagres. = = Arius multiradiatus . . 2. . . — — R. Bayano. /Blurichthys dorsalis . . . . . —_ Panama. — jeMNI 5 5G 5 oe = Panama. — Pimelodus wagner. . » . . . — Panama. —_— modestus) +. woe. a ee) =) Chagres, — — Plecostomus, sp. . . . - - = Chagres. —- — Cheetostomus aspidolepis. . . . _- Veragua. _— Chetostomus ?cirrhosus . . . . Chagres. = a Loricarialima . . . . . . . Chagres. _— — 406 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. Loricaria uracantha . . . . . Chagres. — == Macrodon microlepis . . . . . Chagres. _ — Tetragonopterus panamensis . . . — Panama. — Ey ey ep —_— Panama. — Chalcinopsis striatulus . .. . a * Panama. — ChaeTeneisie eeu an ere. LCharres. — _— Anacyrtus guatemalensis . . . . Chagres. — —_ Haplochilusidovit sei. < - = — Costa Rica. — Poecilia elongata. -:-.-. . . . _ Panama. — cilngi. Mewes. ieee. =. Chagres. — -- § 9. Descriptive Part. In the following descriptive part of this Memoir I have admitted full descriptions of those species only which are not described elsewhere ; secondly, descriptive diagnoses of those of which figures are given; and, finally, notes on some known species, if they appeared to contribute to their better knowledge. For the descriptions of all the other species (the insertion of which would be a repetition of matter already published), I must refer the student to my general work on Fishes. 1. CENTROPOMUS APPENDICULATUS. Poey, Mem. Cub. i. p. 119. D. 85. A-j.. L. lat. 70-72. Nine longitudinal series of scales between the origin of the second dorsal fin and the lateral line. The height of the body is contained four times in the total length (with- out caudal), the length of the head twice and two-thirds. Preorbital indistinctly serrated ; suboperculum produced into a short flap, which extends to or nearly to the vertical from the origin of the dorsal fin, The intermaxillary extends to below the middle of the orbit. Dorsal spines of moderate strength ; the third is the longest, and about half as long asthe head. The second anal spine is generally longer than the third ; but sometimes they are equal in length, and even shorter than the third dorsal spine. ‘The length of the ventral fin is more than one-half of its distance from the anal. Air-bladder with a pair of appendages anteriorly, Silvery; dorsal fins blackish; lateral line black. We kave received this species (which was originally described from Cuban examples) from Surinam and Mexico, Mr. Salvin and Capt, Dow obtained a specimen from the Chagres River, 10 inches long. 2. CENTROPOMUS MEDIUS. Giimth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 144. D.8\ 0S L. lat 67, Eight longitudinal series of scales between the origin of the second dorsal fin and the lateral line. ‘The height of the body is contained thrice and three-fourths in the total DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 407 length (without caudal), the length of the head twice and four-fifths. Preeorbital finely serrated ; suboperculum produced into a flap, which does not extend to the vertical from the origin of the dorsal fin. The intermaxillary extends somewhat beyond the anterior margin of the orbit. Dorsal spines strong; the third is longer than the fourth, and half as long as the head. The second anal spine long, but a little shorter than the third, and equal in length to the distance between the extremity of the upper jaw and the preeopercular margin. The length of the ventral fin is much more than one-half of its distance from the anal fin. Lateral line black. Two specimens, 13 inches long, from Chiapam. 3. CENTROPOMUS NIGRESCENS. Giinth. Proce. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 144. D. 8| 7 A-g L.lat. 70. Ten longitudinal series of scales between the origin of the second dorsal fin and the lateral line. ‘The height of the body is contained four times and a half in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head twice and four-fifths. Preorbital not serrated; suboperculum produced into a short flap, which does not extend to the vertical from the origin of the dorsal fin. The intermaxillary extends a little beyond the middle of the orbit. Dorsal spines rather feeble; the third and fourth are equal in length, two-fifths of the length of the head. The second and third anal spines also are equal in length, and not longer than the dorsal spines mentioned. The length of the ventral fin is scarcely more than one-half of the distance of its base from the anal. Air-bladder without appendages anteriorly. Silvery; upper parts and fins blackish ; lateral line black. One specimen, 14 inches long, from Chiapam. This species is allied to C. appendiculatus (Poey), but differs externally in its con- siderably more feeble and shorter fin-spines. 4, CENTROPOMUS PARALLELUS. Poey, Mem. Cuba, ii. p. 120. D. 8|7 A. L. lat. 85-90. Twelve longitudinal series of scales between the origin of the second dorsal fin and the lateral line. The height of the body is contained thrice and three-fourths in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head twice and a half. Preorbital distinctly serrated ; suboperculum produced into a flap, which extends to the vertical from the origin of the dorsal fin. The intermaxillary extends a little beyond the middle of the orbit. Dorsal spines rather feeble; the third is the longest, half as long as the head. The second anal spine is exceedingly strong, longer than the third and the third dorsal spine. The length of the ventral fin is considerably more than one-half of 408 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. the distance of its base from the anal. Air-bladder without appendages anteriorly. Silvery; upper parts and fins greenish; lateral line not black. This species occurs in Cuba; we have received it from San Domingo, Jamaica, and Bahia. Messrs. Dow and Salvin collected a specimen in the Chagres River. 5. CENTROPOMUS ARMATUS. Gill, Proce. Ac. Nat. Se. Philad. 1863, p. 163. 2 D. 8|5- A.2 L.lat.51. L. transv. 7/14. 6 Six longitudinal series of scales between the origin of the second dorsal fin and the lateral line. The height of the body is contained from thrice and two-fifths to thrice and three-fourths in the total length (without caudal); the length of the head twice and a half. Preeorbital serrated in its hinder half; suboperculum produced into a long flap, which extends beyond the vertical from the origin of the dorsal fin. The inter- maxillary extends scarcely to below the middle of the orbit. Dorsal spines of moderate strength ; the third is the longest, and half as long as the head. The second anal spine is exceedingly strong, much stronger than the third, and longer than the third dorsal spine. The length of the ventral fin is scarcely more than one-half of the distance of its base from the anal. Silvery; dorsal fins, a blotch on the opercle, and the membrane between the anal spines blackish. Lateral line not black. Several specimens, 12 inches long, were collected by My. Salvin at Chiapam. 6. CENTROPOMUS ENSIFERUS. Poey, Mem. Cub. ii. p. 122, pl. 12. fig. 1. D. 8|5, Ag, 1. lat. 53. Seven longitudinal series of scales between the origin of the second dorsal fin and the lateral line. The height of the body is one-fourth of the total length (without caudal), the length of the head two-fifths. Prorbital coarsely serrated; suboperculum pro- duced into a flap, which extends to the vertical from the origin of the dorsal fin. The intermaxillary extends scarcely to below the middle of the orbit. Dorsal spines of moderate strength; the third and fourth are the longest, and two-fifths as long as the head. The second anal spine is exceedingly strong, much stronger than the third, and much longer than the dorsal spines. The length of the ventral fin is somewhat more than one-half of the distance of its base from the anal. Silvery; dorsal fin, a blotch on the opercle, and the membrane between the anal spines blackish. Lateral line not black. This species occurs in Cuba; we have received it from Jamaica and from the Guyanas. Mr. Godman collected a specimen, 12 inches long, at Belize. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 409 7. CENTROPRISTIS MACROPOMA. (PI. LXV. fig. 1.) Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 145. De AS. Tat: 52. "L trausy. 6/16, Closely allied to C. radialis, Q. & G.; but whilst that species has a notch above the spiniferous angle, the present has its preopercular margin not interrupted, the long spines of the angle gradually passing into the finer serrature. There are six series of scales between the eye and the angle of the preoperculum. The maxillary extends nearly to the vertical from the posterior margin of the orbit. Dorsal fin with a notch, the ninth spine being considerably shorter than the tenth. A series of rather small brownish spots above and below the lateral line. Three specimens, 43 inches long, were collected by Messrs. Dow and Salvin on the Pacific coast of Panama. 8. SERRANUS CREOLUS, CO. & V. I have examined specimens from the Atlantic coasts only; but Mr. Gill has found it in a collection of fishes from Lower California, the specimens being undistinguishable from those of the West Indies and South America (Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1862, p- 249). 12. SERRANUS SELLICAUDA. Epinephelus sellicauda, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Se. Philad. 1862, p. 250. De Are, To tat 100: Caudal fin with the posterior margin convex. ‘The height of the body is rather more than three-fourths of the length of the head, and one-fourth of the total (caudal included). The diameter of the eye is one-fourth of the length of the head. Praoper- culum finely serrated behind, with some coarser teeth at the angle, lower limb entire ; sub- and interoperculum entire. Ventrals three-fourths of the length of pectorals, and reaching two-thirds of the distance between their insertion and the commencement of the anal. Brownish, with olive-coloured spots of larger and smaller size on the body and opercles. All the fins with a narrow white margin. A square black blotch across the back of the tail. Description.—Body not very elevated; its greatest height is below the third spine of the dorsal fin, rather more than three-fourths of the length of the head, and one-fourth of the total. The distance between the end of the dorsal and the commencement of the caudal is nearly one-sixth of the length of the base of the dorsal, is contained once and two-thirds in the base of the anal, is one-fourth of the distance between the dorsal fin and the snout, and equals the least depth of the tail. ‘The distance between the eyes is one-half of the diameter of the eye, and covered with very minute scales, which are found also on the preorbital around the nostrils. The length of the snout is two- thirds of the diameter of the eye. The maxillary bone reaches the vertical from the posterior margin of the eye. he mandibulary is one-half of the length of the VOL. VI.—PART VII. 31 410 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. head. ‘The lips are not very thick. Posterior limb of preoperculum very convex, minutely serrated, with three coarser teeth at the angle; lower limb toothless. Sub- and interoperculum entire. Operculum terminating in three not very strong teeth, the upper of which is somewhat more remote than the others, the middle one being the more prominent. Suprascapular concealed by the scales. The membrane of the dorsal fin is scaly for about half the height between the spines and rays; the spinous portion scarcely lower but longer than the soft, with its upper margin convex, and a small membranaceous appendage behind the tip of each spine. The first spine is the shortest, rather more than half the length of the second, which is one-fifth shorter than the third; from the third to the seventh the spines are equal, becoming slightly shorter at the eighth; the last two spines are of equal length. ‘The rays increase slightly from the first to the sixth, after which the upper margin is straight, becoming again rounded posteriorly. ‘The first ray is one-fifth longer than the preceding spine. Caudal with posterior margin convex. The commencement of the anal is on a line with that of the soft dorsal, and it ends before the termination of the dorsal; the first spine is short, not half the length of the second, which is long and strong, longer than any of the dorsal spines; the third is slenderer, and equal to the third dorsal spine: the margin of the soft part of the fin is nearly straight, sharply rounded off posteriorly. The pectoral consists of eighteen rays, is rounded, and longer than the ventral, and covered with very minute scales to one-third of the length. The ventrals reach the vent; the second ray is the longest, the spine being equal to the second of the dorsal. Canine teeth of moderate size, those of the lower jaw rather small. Coloration as described above. A single specimen, 4 inches long, was sent by Capt. Dow from the Pacific coast of Panama. The specimen in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution is from the coast of Lower California; a statement of its size, which would have been of some importance, is omitted. 13. SERRANUS ANALOGUS. Epinephelus analogus, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1863, p. 163. D. 7 A.% L. lat. ca, 100. Adult—The height is contained thrice in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head twice and two-thirds. The preoperculum is finely serrated behind, and towards the angle armed with three or four strong teeth. ‘The diameter of the eye equals a sixth of the head’s length, and equals the interorbital space as well as the snout behind the intermaxillaries. The third, fourth, and fifth spines are equal, and contained twice and two-thirds in the length of the head; the tenth thrice and a half. The caudal fin enters five times and a half in the length, the height of the dorsal twice and three-fourths in the head. ‘The anal is deeper; its third spine is longest, and enters four times and three-fourths in the head’s length; the pectoral is at least half as long as the head; the ventral shorter, but coterminal with it. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 411 The colour is purplish grey, with numerous dark spots about as large as the pupil; those of the pectoral and caudal fins are smaller and more crowded, of the dorsal, anal, and ventral more like those of the body. The specimens are from 11 to 15 inches long, and were found by Capt. Dow at Panama. We have received also a sma/ler example, 5 inches long, from the same gentleman. It differs from those described above in being provided with five cross bands, paler in colour than the spots, which are one-third the size of the eye. ‘The dorsal fin is scarcely notched, the tenth spine being but little shorter than the third or fourth, the length of which is contained twice and two-thirds in that of the head. The example being young, its eye is comparatively larger. 14, Piecrropoma arrum. (PI. LXVII. fig. 3.) Epinephelus afer, Bloch, Vat. 327 (fide Peters, Monatsber. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, 1865, p. 105). Alphestes afer, Bl. Schn. p. 236. Plectropoma chloropterum, Cuvy. & Val. 11. p. 398. Poey, Mem. Cub. i. p. 73, lam. 9. fig. 3. monacanthus, Mull. & Trosch. in Schomb. Hist. Barb. p. 605. Giinth. Fish. 1. p. 164. — multiguttatum, Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1866, p. 600. ee Nee ate To. is20" Caudal rounded. The height of the body is equal to the length of the head, and contained twice and three-fourths in the total (without caudal). The diameter of the eye is one-fifth of the length of the head, and a little less than that of the snout. Preoperculum with a strong spinous tooth below the angle, pointing forwards. Olive- brown, head and body with numerous spots. Description —Body somewhat elevated ; its greatest height is below the fourth spine of the dorsal, and equal to the length of the head, which is contained thrice and one- third in the total (the caudal included). The distance between the dorsal and the caudal is contained seven times and one-third in the length of the base of the dorsal fin, twice in that of the base of the anal, four times in the distance between the dorsal fin and the snout, and is considerably less than the least depth of the tail. The distance between the eyes is about two-thirds of the diameter of the eye, and covered with scales which extend forward beyond the nostrils on the preorbital, and in a narrow band on the upper maxillary. The length of the snout equals the diameter of the eye, which is one-fifth of the length of the head. The maxillary reaches a little beyond the level of the posterior margin of the eye. The mandibulary is covered with minute scales, and is equal to one-half the length of the head. ‘The lips are thick and fleshy. The posterior limb of the preoperculum slants obliquely backwards, and is minutely serrated, the denticulations becoming coarser at the angle; and beneath on the lower limb at some distance from the other teeth there is a single strong tooth pointing downwards, and nearly concealed by the skin; sub- and interoperculum not serrated. 3L2 412 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. The operculum terminates in three, flat, triangular teeth, the upper of which is the more distant and somewhat more obtuse than the others, the middle one being the longest, but not very prominent, and the lower one the shortest and weakest. ‘The suprascapula is concealed by the scales. Base of dorsal fin covered with very small scales, a tapering band of scales runs up between each pair of the spines and rays to about half the height of the fin. Spinous portion rather lower but longer than the soft, its upper margin convex; the membrane between each spine is deeply notched, and there is a small membranaceous appendage behind the top of each spine. ‘The first spine is the shortest, half the size of the second ; the second is five-sixths of the length of the third; the third, fourth, and fifth are the longest, and of nearly equal length; the spines then become gradually shorter to the last one, which is scarcely longer than the preceding. ‘The soft portion exhibits an entirely rounded upper margin, the rays becoming longer from the first to the sixth or seventh, and shorter from the fourteenth to the last; the first ray is one-fourth longer than the preceding spine. Caudal with the posterior margin convex. Anal commencing a little behind the commencement of the soft dorsal, and terminating in advance of the end of the same; the first spine is not very strong, and short; the second long, thick, and strong; the third more slender and shorter, being but little longer than the second dorsal spine; the margin of the fin is rounded throughout, the third ray being the longest, and the subsequent ones becoming progressively shorter. The pectoral is composed of eighteen rays, rounded, one-fourth longer than the ventral, and covered with minute scales for about one-third of its length. The ventral reaches to the vertical from the origin of the eighth spine of the dorsal, but not to the vent; the spine is a little less than two-thirds the length of the first ray; the first and second rays are the longest, the others diminishing gradually in length; the length of the spine is somewhat less than that of the second dorsal spine. Canine teeth small in both jaws. This species varies somewhat in coloration, as most of its congeners; the spots are numerous aud small, either of a uniform dark-brown colour, or of a light colour and mixed with large brown spots. Pectoral fins with narrow blackish cross bands. One example, 10 inches long, and three smaller ones have been collected by Capt. Dow on the Pacific coast of Panama. The latter have the spots somewhat larger and less conspicuous than the adult. This species cccurs also in the West Indies and at the Falkland Islands. 15, Ruypricus DECORATUS. Rhypticus nigripinnis, Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Philad. 1861, p. 53. Promicropterus decoratus, Gill, 1. c. 1863, p. 164. Dew A. 16, 26° The two dorsal spines are continuous with the soft portion, Body generally with more or less numerous round whitish spots, many of which have a brown centre. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 413 Messrs. Dow and Salvin have collected several examples, from 3 to 8 inches long, on the Pacific coast of Panama. The species described by Holbrook as F. maculatus, and said to have the dorsal spines separated from the soft portion, may eventually prove to be identical with the Pacific fish. 19. MESOPRION ARATUS. Giunth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 145. Dig Ag 4. lat 45. L. transv. 44/12. The height of the body equals the length of the head, and is contained thrice and two-fifths, or thrice and one-fifth in the total (without caudal). The maxillary does not extend backwards to the vertical from the centre of the eye. Praoperculum finely serrated, with scarcely a trace of a posterior notch. Dorsal spines of moderate strength ; the third and fourth are the longest, two-fifths of the length of the head; the eleventh is scarcely longer than the tenth, which is rather more than half as long as the fourth. Caudal fin emarginate, two-thirds scaly; anal spines short, rather feeble, the third longer than the second, and equal in length to the last dorsal spine. Upper and lateral parts brownish-olive, each scale with a pearl-coloured spot, the spots forming together very distinct longitudinal stripes; no black lateral spot ; hind part of the root of the pectoral brown. Lower parts salmon-coloured.. We have six examples: two, 15 inches long, were collected by Mr. Salvin at Chiapam ; and four others were sent by Capt. Dow from the Pacific coast of Panama. 21. APOGON Dovu. Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1861, p. 371. D.6|;, AZ L. lat. 25. L. transv. 3/9. A roundish black spot on each side of the root of the caudal; the spinous dorsal colourless, transparent; uniform olive (in spirits). Head densely punctulated with brown. Only the hind margin of the posterior preopercular ridge is serrated. Dorsal fins nearly equal in height. The height of the body is one-third of the total length (without caudal); the length of the head two-fifths; eye large, its diameter being more than one-third of the length of the head. Palatine and vomerine teeth present. The upper jaw overlaps slightly the lower; maxillary extending backwards to below the posterior third of the orbit. Operculum with an upper flexible point, and with a lower stiff spine. The third dorsal spine is a little longer than the second, one-half the length of the head. Caudal fin slightly emarginate, with the angles rounded. Total length 26 lines. This species is so closely allied to A. inermis from the Mediterranean, that perhaps 414 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF. CENTRAL AMERICA. it would be better not to separate it; the only difference which I can find is the form of the soft dorsal fin, which is considerably higher than the spinous in the Mediterranean species. 22. PRISTIPOMA MELANOPTERUM. Pristipoma melanopterum, Cuy. & Val. v. 1880, p. 273. bilineatum, Cuv. & Val. v. 1830, p. 271, pl. 122. Hemulon melanopterum, Ranzani, Comm. Bonon. y. 1842, p. 343, tab. 30. Pristipoma melanopterum, Giinth. Fish. i. 1859, p. 287. Var. Genytremus interruptus, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1862, p. 256. Pristipoma melanopterum, Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, pp. 23 & 27. This species occurs on both sides of Central America, Capt. Dow having collected specimens at Panama and Colon. Mr. Gill has found it also in a collection of fishes from Lower California. He describes his Pacific specimen as a distinct species ; but the distinctive characters are, according to my views, not of specific value. He mentions it in the following terms :— “The species is so closely allied to dilineatus, that it might be even considered as a variety, but it appears to differ by the steel-blue colour of the back, and the discon- tinuance of the lateral band a short distance before the spot on the tail'; at its end the band is bounded below by the lateral line. In. other respects, the two species are so similar, that a detailed description would be only a repetition of that of bilineatus.” 23. PRISTIPOMA VIRGINICUM. We have examined specimens of this species from the West Indies, from the Atlantic coasts of Central America, and from Bahia. Mr. Gill has described an example from Panama under the denomination of Anisotremus teniatus, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. 1861, p- 107. Although six or seven is the normal number of longitudinal bands, it is some- times increased by a more or less complete division of one or several bands. It appears to be more natural to consider the golden colour the ground-colour than the blue, as after death it fades into the same colour as that of the space between the black vertical bands. In al/ specimens, I have found the bluish bands edged with purplish. Mr. Gill, in describing his A. teniatus, has taken the blue colour as ornamental, whilst in his description of A. virginicus the character assigned to the colours is reversed, and the blue colour regarded as ground-colour. There is no specific difference between these fishes. 24, PRISTIPOMA DOVIL. Ginth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 23, pl. 3. fig. 1. D. %. A.3.. L. lat. 48. L. transv..8/15. The height of the body is one-half of the total length (without caudal); the length of the head one-third. Snout obtuse, not much longer than the eye; cleft of the ? This is also the case in some Atlantic specimens. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 415 mouth small, the maxillary extending to the vertical from the anterior margin of the orbit. Lips thick; a pair of pores on the symphysis of the lower jaw, a central groove behind it. Snout naked, the remainder of the head being scaly. The width of the interorbital space is much less than that of the orbit. Dorsal and anal spines exceed- ingly strong; the third of the dorsal fin is the longest, and nearly two-thirds as long as the head. ‘The second anal spine is much longer than the third, and a little shorter (but stronger) than the third of the dorsal fin. Each ray of the soft fins is accompanied by a series of minute scales, but only on the caudal fin are these scales dense enough to cover the rays. Caudal fin slightly emarginate. Silvery, with four black cross bands; the first runs from the occiput, through the eye, to behind the angle of the mouth, the second from before the dorsal fin to below the base of the pectoral, the third from the base of the sixth, seventh, and eighth dorsal spines to the vent; the fourth descends from the origin of the soft dorsal to that of the soft anal. Fins blackish. The cross bands appear to become fainter in old age. ‘Two specimens, 83 and 9 inches long, in the collection from Panama. 25. PRISTIPOMA CHALCEUM. Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 146. De sae Lilet oe. 0. transy. 11/19, The height of the body is contained twice and two-thirds in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head thrice anda third. ‘The diameter of the eye is nearly equal to the width of the interorbital space, and two-thirds of the extent of the snout. The maxillary does not extend backwards to the vertical from the anterior margin of the orbit. Praeoperculum minutely serrated behind, with the angle rounded, but not produced. ‘There is no notch between the spinous and soft portions of the dorsal fin, the hinder spines being only a little shorter than the anterior rays; dorsal spines of moderate strength, the fourth being the longest, not quite half as long as the head ; anal spines short, the second being only a little longer than the third, two-sevenths of the length of the head. Caudal fin subtruncated, scarcely emarginate. Dorsal and anal perfectly scaleless. The pectoral fin extends to the vertical from the vent. Bronze-coloured, shining silvery, perfectly immaculate; vertical fins blackish, with an indistinct light band along the base. One specimen, 8 inches long, was discovered by Messrs. Dow and Salvin on the Pacific coast of Panama. 26. PRISTIPOMA HUMILE. Kner & Steindachner, Sitzgsber. Ak. Wiss. Miinch. 1863, p. 222; and Abhandl. bayer. Ak. Wiss. x. p. 3, tab. 1. fig. 1. D. 3 Asg. L. late 56. L. transv.. ig-ay The height of the body is contained thrice and two-thirds in the total length (without Cee. pyl. 3. 416 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. caudal), the length of the head thrice. The diameter of the eye equals the width of the interorbital space, is one-fifth of the length of the head, and two-thirds of the extent of the snout. Snout produced; cleft of the mouth wide; the maxillary extend- ing beyond the front margin of the eye. Praoperculum with the hind margin vertical and finely serrated. The spinous and soft portions of the dorsal fin are separated by a notch; dorsal spines moderately strong, the fourth being the longest, its length being contained twice and three-fourths in that of the head. Second anal spine exceedingly strong, more than half as long as the head. Caudal fin slightly emarginate ; pectorals terminating at some distance before the vent. Scales ctenoid. _Coloration uniform. ‘This species is known from a single example (size not stated) from the Rio Bayano (Panama). 27. PrisTipoMA MACRACANTHUM. (PI. LXIV. fig. 1.) Ginth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 146. D.11\4. A. 3/8. L. lat. 47. L. transv. 6/13. The height of the body equals the length of the head, and is one-third of the total (without caudal). The diameter of the eye equals the width of the interorbital space, and is two-thirds, or somewhat less than two-thirds, of the extent of the snout. Hind margin of the anterior nostril with a broad flap. Snout somewhat produced; the maxillary does not extend to below the anterior margin of the eye. Praoperculum with the hind margin rather concave, and with stronger teeth at the angle, which is rounded. ‘The spinous and soft portions of the dorsal fin are separated by a deep notch, the spine of the soft portion being much longer than the preceding, which is somewhat longer than the second. Dorsal and anal spines exceedingly strong; the fourth dorsal spine is the longest, its length being contained twice and a third in that of the head. ‘The second anal spine much longer and stronger than the third, and even than the fourth dorsal spine. Candal fin truncated. Each soft ray of the vertical fins is accompanied by a series of minute scales. The pectoral fin extends to the vent. Scales smooth. Silvery. with several very indistinct dark cross bands on the back, which appear to be arranged as in P. leuciscus. Two specimens, 11 and 14 inches long, were collected by Mr. Salvin at Chiapam. 29. Pristipoma LEuciscus. (Pl. LXVI. fig. 3.) Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 147. D.11|4. A.3/7-8. L. lat. 51. L. transv. 2%. The height of the body is contained thrice or thrice and a third in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head thrice and a fourth. The diameter of the eye is equal to, or more than, the width of the interorbital space, but is less than the extent of the snout. The maxillary does not quite extend backwards to the vertical from the anterior margin of the orbit. Preeoperculum finely serrated behind, with the angle DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 417 rounded, and with the hind margin slightly concave. The spinous and soft portions of the dorsal fin are separated by a deep notch, the spine of the soft portion being nearly twice as long as the preceding. Dorsal spines long, of moderate strength: the third is the longest, and one-half, or more than one-half, as long as the head. -Anal spines rather strong: the third is a little longer than the second, equal to the seventh dorsal spine, and more than one-third of the length of the head. Caudal fin emarginate. Each soft ray of the vertical fins is accompanied by a series of minute scales, The pectoral fin extends to the vertical from the origin of the anal in the younger example, but is shorter im adult ones. Scales smooth, bright silvery; young specimens with several very indistinct dark cross bands on the back, the first from the nape of the neck to the gill-opening, the second below the seventh dorsal spine, the third below the last dorsal spine ; old specimens with the marginal membrane of the operculum black. One specimen, 74 inches long, was found by Mr. Salvin at San José. Three others, from 11 to 12 inches long, are from Chiapam ; and Capt. Dow found it also at Panama, where it does not appear to be rare. 30. Conopon pacirici. (Pl. LXIV. fig. 3.) Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 147. D.11|%,° A. 3. Lelat. 47. L. transv. 7/13. Diagnosis.—The spinous teeth at the angle of the preoperculum are not much stronger than the others. The height of the body is contained twice and two-fifths in the total length (without caudal). One specimen, 123 inches long, was collected by Mr. Salvin at Chiapam. Description.—The body is compressed, and considerably elevated ; its greatest height, which is below the fifth dorsal spine, is contained twice and three-fourths in the total length. Upper profile rounded from the first dorsal spine to the nape, concave over the eyes, whence it descends abruptly over the snout. The upper surface of the head is very broad, the space between the eyes being nearly twice the width of the orbit. The snout is thick and obtuse; the lips thick and fleshy. Teeth in a villiform band in both jaws, with an outer series of conical teeth. Chin with a median groove and a pair of pores. Posterior limb of preoperculum straight, regularly and distinctly serrated, the teeth becoming gradually a little larger at the angle, and continued on the lower limb; the entire surface of the preoperculum is covered with scales, which are smaller than those of the operculum, and reach to the margin of the bone. The operculum has a notch behind, between two obtuse and feeble points. Suprascapular margin indistinctly toothed or roughened. The origin of the dorsal is in the vertical from the root of the pectoral, and its termination is vertically opposite to that of the anal; the base of the spinous portion is nearly twice as long as that of the soft. The spines. are strong, broader alternately on one side than on the other; the first is small, not quite one-half the length of the second, which is rather more than half that of the VOL. VI.—PART VII. 3M 418 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA, third; the third spine is three-fourths the length of the fourth; the fifth is the longest, its length being contained twice and two-thirds in the height of the body; the sixth and fourth spines are equal in height, and the subsequent spines decrease gradually in length; the twelfth, which must be considered part of the soft dorsal, is slightly longer than the preceding spine, and equal to the tenth. The soft portion has a rounded margin; the third or highest ray is not quite equal to the fifth spine, and is twice as long as the last. The spinous portion as well as the soft can be received into a scaly sheath. The caudal fin is very slightly emarginate, scaly to within a short distance from its tip, and one of its longest rays is nearly one-fifth of the total length, The distance between the caudal and anal fins is less than the base of the latter; the first anal spine is opposite to the third ray of the dorsal, it is strong, broader on the right side, and excavated posteriorly, and is one-half the length of the second, which is very long and strong, equal in length to the fifth dorsal spine, and broader on the left side ; the third anal spine is equal to the third of the dorsal, and little more than half the height of the first ray; the first and second rays are the longest, and the margin of the soft portion is vertical. The pectoral is moderately long, its length being contained four times and a half in the total. Root of ventral immediately behind that of pectoral ; the spine is of moderate size and strength, a little more than half the length of the first ray, which is produced about one-eighth of an inch at its tip; the other rays decrease gradually in height. The scales are of moderate size, very finely crenated, with the margin convex. ‘The lateral line is parallel with the curve of the back. Scales silvery, with purple reflexions ; membrane between the scales brown; fins blackish. 34. H@MULON BREVIROSTRUM. D. 2% Ag L. lat. 50. LL, transy. 5/14. This species is closely allied to i. chromis and H. canna, differing from both oY its much shorter and more convex snout. The height of the body is contained twice and two-thirds in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head thrice and one-fourth. The snout is short, not much longer than the diameter of the eye, which is more than one- fourth of the length of the head. Cleft of the mouth rather wide, the maxillary extending beyond the vertical from the front margin of the eye. Hind margin of the preoperculum slightly emarginate, its angle with more con- spicuous denticulations. Dorsal fin notched, with strong spines; the fourth is the longest, half as long as the head. Caudal: fin forked. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 419 The second anal spine is strong, and somewhat longer than the third, but not quite as long as the fourth of the dorsal fin. Scales above the pectoral fin not conspicuously larger than the others. More or less conspicuous oblique brown streaks run along the series of scales, and are broken up into series of spots in larger examples. A vertical black spot covered by the angle of the preoperculum. We possess four examples of this species: three were collected by Capt. Dow at Panama; and the fourth is from Puerto Cabello. The largest is 8 inches long. 35. H#MULON MARGARITIFERUM. (Pl. LXV. fig. 2.) Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 147. D.% A. 3. L. lat. 55, L. transv. 6/15. The height of the body is one-third of the total length (without caudal), the length of the head two-sevenths. The diameter of the eye is two-sevenths of the latter, and equal to the extent of the snout and to the width of the interorbital space, which is very convex. The maxillary extends beyond the vertical from the anterior margin of the eye. Preoperculum emarginate behind. Dorsal fin scarcely notched, with the soft portion very low; its spines are moderately strong, the fourth is the longest, not quite half as long as the head. Anal spines strong; the second is longer and stronger than the third, and equal to the eighth of the dorsal. The soft vertical fins enveloped in scales; caudal forked, with the upper lobe longest. The pectoral fin does not extend to the vent. Greenish olive above, each scale with a pearl-coloured centre; sides silvery; a blackish spot above the axil. One specimen, 12 inches long, was obtained by Messrs. Dow and Salvin on the Pacific coast of Panama. 39. CuzTopon HUMERALIS. (PI. LXV. fig. 3.) Giinth. Fish. 1. p. 19. I have given a full description of this species (/.¢.). The Pacific coast of Central America appears to be its true home. Messrs. Salvin and Dow collected three speci- mens at Panama; and our other specimens, which we received from the Haslar Collec- tion, are probably from Guatemala, from which country Sir J. Richardson, as we know, obtained a collection of fishes. J have no doubt that the statement of this species extending to the Sandwich Islands is correct. The Panama examples differ from the typical specimens only in having an additional black cross band near the hind margin of the caudal fin. 41. POMACANTHUS ZONIPECTUS. Pomacanthodes zonipectus, Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1862, p. 244. 1 3 D. 93-24° A. 30° “The form much resembles that of Pomacanthus. The greatest height equals three- ; 3M 2 420 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. fifths of the length. The head forms about a quarter, and the caudal fin about a sixth of the total length. ..... The dorsal is considerably produced at the sixth ray, which passes behind the rounded posterior margin. . . .__ Brownish, margined with light on each scale. A very dark brown band girdles the breast behind the pectoral and ventral fins.” . . Obtained by Capt. Dow at San Salvador. 43. UPENEUS TETRASPILUS. (PI. LXVI. fig. 1.) Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 148. D. 8|9. “A. 7. L. lat. 33. L. transv. 2/6. The height of the body equals the length of the head, and is contained thrice and two-fifths in the total (without caudal); the width of the interorbital space is two- thirds of the length of the snout. Teeth in both jaws in two series, the outer series of the upper jaw being formed by very obtuse and partly confluent teeth. The maxillary is dilated and rounded behind, and bent upwards into a sort of hook; the barbels extend to the vertical from the root of the pectoral. The third and fourth dorsal spines are subequal in length, longer than the second, and nearly three-fourths of the length of the head. Greenish olive above, each scale above and below the lateral line with a large pearl-coloured spot; sides yellow; a rose-coloured band on each side of the belly. A large blackish blotch on the lateral line, behind the hind part of the spinous dorsal fin. A second smaller blackish spot behind the orbit; the latter is sometimes very indistinct. Two specimens, 8} inches long, were collected by Messrs. Dow and Salvin on the Pacific coast of Panama. This species would belong to the division which has been called Mulloides. 44. UPENEUS GRANDISQUAMIS. Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat, Se. Philad. 1863, p. 168. This species, which belongs to Bleeker’s division Upeneus, is described thus :— D. 8}. A. 7... L, lat. 30. L, transy, 22/5. The greatest height is contained four times in the length to the end of the median caudal rays, and four times and a half in the total. The head equals the height, and is itself longer than high, the profile in front of the eyes rapidly declines downwards, and is nearly rectilinear. The diameter of the eye enters thrice and a half in the head’s length, and the height of the preorbitar twice and three-fourths, The supramaxillar ends at the vertical from the front of the eye. The teeth in front of the upper jaw are biserial ; bélow uniserial. The first dorsal fin is highest at the third spine, and there equals the head in front of the preopercular margin; the first is exceedingly short, and the second and fourth nearly equal, little shorter than the third; all the spines are very slender towards the ends, The distance of the second from the first dorsal enters once DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 42] and three-fourths in the base of the former, and in that interval are three scales; its length is less than that of the first. The ventral equals the distance of the hinder margin of the orbit from the snout. The tubes of the lateral line have slender branches diverging from them, generally directed obliquely upwards. The larger scales have six radiating strie. The colour is light greenish brown above, with an indistinct silvery spot at the centre of each scale. Below the lateral line, especially between it and the anal fin, the colour is rose. The dorsal fins covered with spots of the colour of the back. The others are immaculate. Two specimens, the longest of which is 7} inches long, were collected by Capt. Dow on the Pacific coast of Central America. 47, CHRYSOPHRYS CALAMUS. A fine example, 16 inches long, has lately been sent by Capt. Dow from Panama. 49, Crrruiticutuys RivuLATUS. (Plate LXX XVI. fig. 4.) Cirrhites rivulatus, Valenc. Voy. Vénus, Poiss. p. 309, pl. 3. fig. 1 (bad). DW. A.2.. L. lat. 47. L. transv. 6/14. The height of the body is contained thrice in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head twice and two-thirds. The snout is of moderate extent, compressed and rather elevated; the maxillary extends beyond the front margin of the eye. Inter- orbital space deeply concave, and half as wide as the orbit ; a low longitudinal median crest on the crown of the head, Preoperculum finely serrated behind. The fourth, fifth, and sixth dorsal spines are the longest, two-sevenths of the length of the head, all are of moderate strength. Seven simple pectoral rays, none of which extend so far backwards as the ventral fin. ‘The second anal spine is longer, but scarcely stronger, than the third. Brownish, with transverse dark brown bands and spots, all of which are edged with light blue. There are two of these bands on the head crossing the preoperculum ; five on the body and tail, composed of large, more or less confluent, round spots; especially the third and fourth terminate above each in a pair of large spots, the first pair occupying the end of the spinous and commencement of the soft dorsal, the second the basal portion of the end of the soft dorsal. Caudal and anal fins with similar ocellated spots; a brown band across the inner side of the root of the pectoral. : A single example of this beautiful species, 5 inches long, was obtained by Capt. Dow at Panama. The typical specimen was obtained at the Galapagos Islands. 51, PoLYNEMUS MELANOPOMA, Giunth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p, 148, Ter a ES PA Nine free pectoral appendages, the longest of which extends to the vent. Preoper- 422 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. culum finely serrated, with a small spine above the angle. The vomerine teeth form a rounded patch; the band of the palatine teeth is as broad anteriorly as the front part of the intermaxillary band. Operculum black. A single specimen, 15 inches long, was obtained by Mr. Salvin at San José. Description.—This fish is elongated in form, its greatest height being contained five times and a half in the total length, with the caudal, and four times and one-sixth without it. The tail is compressed, its height above the end of the anal fin being half the length of the head. The head is much longer than high, and is contained four times and two-thirds in the total length with the caudal, and thrice and one-third with- out it; its width between the eyes is two-ninths of its length. Snout produced beyond the mouth, obtusely conical, and shorter than the diameter of the eye, which is con- tained five times and a half in the length of the head. The cleft of the mouth is situated on the inferior side of the head, it is extremely wide, the maxillary being more than half the length of the head. The posterior margin of the preoperculum is finely serrated ; the angle is produced, forming a rounded membranaceous lobe. The posterior margin of the opercular apparatus is membranaceous, rounded, and formed by the oper- culum and suboperculum. ‘The origin of the first dorsal is in the vertical from the ninth scale of the lateral line, or from a point about midway between the pectoral and ventral fins. ‘The first spine is minute, the second is the strongest, all the others being flexible; the third is the longest, contained once and two-thirds in the length of the head; the fourth is longer than the second, and the following rapidly decrease in length. A series of scales ascends behind the second, third, and fourth spines, but disappears at the fifth; the distance between the two dorsals equals the length of the base of the second, which is entirely covered with scales and has the upper edge strongly emarginate; the second ray is the longest, nearly as high as the spinous dorsal, and twice the height of the last ray. The distance between this fin and the caudal is one-fourth of the total length (without caudal). ‘The caudal fin is completely covered with scales, deeply forked, with the lobes pointed, the upper one being slightly the longer, and one-fourth of the total length. The distance between the anal and caudal fins is less than that between the caudal and dorsal, as the termination of the anal falls behind that of the dorsal, and in the vertical from the 52nd scale of the lateral line. It is entirely covered with scales ; and its origin corresponds to that of the seventh ray of the dorsal; its lower edge is emarginate; the first spine is very small, the second being only one-third the length of the first ray; the first and second rays are the longest, and about thrice the length of the thirteenth or final ray, which, however, is rather longer than the one which pre- cedes it. The pectoral is nearly one-sixth of the total length; its root is covered with minute transparent scales. ‘The free pectoral appendages are long, the third and fourth being the longest, considerably longer than the pectoral fin, and reaching to the vent; the fourth is one-eighth of an inch jonger than the head. The root of the ventral fin falls behind that of the pectoral, and in a vertical from the twelfth scale of the lateral DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 423 line; it is short, one-eighth of the total length, and does not quite reach the vent ; its spine is about one-half the length of the adjacent ray. The scales are of moderate size, longer than high, and have the posterior margin minutely crenulated. Lateral line straight, very slightly bifurcated between the lobes of the caudal. The teeth are minute and villiform, those of the yvomer form a rounded or nearly square patch; the band on the palatines cuneiform and elongated, broadest anteriorly. The body is uniform silvery, greenish grey, darker on the back; the fins are minutely dotted with black, the dorsals becoming blackish at their margins. Operculum black. 52. PoLYNEMUS APPROXIMANS. Polynemus approximans, Lay & Benn. in Beechey’s Voy. Zool. Fish. p. 57. Trichidion approximans, Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Philad. 1863, p. 169. D.7\g Ag L. lat. 60. 15" Six pectoral appendages, the longest of which reaches to the commencement of the anal fin. The length of the caudal lobes is rather more than one-fourth of the total length, Pectoral fins blackish. Description.—This fish is moderately elongate in form; its greatest height, which is between the root of the second dorsal and anal fins, is contained four times and one-third in the total length with the caudal, and thrice and one-fourth in the same without caudal. ‘The tail is compressed, its height above the end of the anal being contained seven times and one-third in the total length. The head is much longer than high ; its length is about four times and a half in the total with, and thrice and a half without caudal; its width between the eyes is nearly one fourth of its length. The snout is produced, obtusely conical, and shorter than the diameter of the eye, which is one-fifth of the length of the head. The cleft of the mouth is situated at the inferior side of the head, as usual; it is wide; the maxillary reaching considerably behind the orbit, but the length of the bone is only two-fifths of that of the head. The posterior margin of the preoperculum is armed with a distinct serrature, and one or two more distinct teeth above the projecting membranaceous lobe of the angle. The posterior extremity of the opercular apparatus is angular, membranaceous, and formed by the operculum and suboperculum. ‘The origin of the first dorsal is opposite to the eighth scale of the lateral line, and in the vertical between the roots of the pectoral and ventral fins. The first spine is minute, the second shorter than the third, which is the longest, and con- tained about once and one-third in the length of the head; the fourth is longer than the second; and the subsequent spines rapidly decrease in length, rendering the upper margin almost vertical. ‘There is a series of scales behind each spine almost to the top. The distance between the two dorsals is more than the length of the base of the second, which is entirely covered with scales and has the upper margin emarginate ; the first and second rays are the longest, not so high as the spinous dorsal, more than twice as long as the hindmost rays. The distance between this fin and the caudal is 424 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. one-fifth of the total length. The caudal fin is completely covered with scales, deeply forked, with the lobes pointed, the upper one being rather the longer. The distance between the caudal and anal fins is less than that between the dorsal and caudal, as the extremity of the anal falls behind that of the dorsal, or in the vertical from the forty- third scale of the lateral line. Its origin corresponds to that of the dorsal; and it has the lower edge straight or very slightly emarginate; it is entirely covered with scales. The first two spines are very small, and the third not half the length of the first ray ; the first and second rays are the longest, but not twice as long as the fifteeenth or terminal ray. The length of the pectoral is not one-fourth of the total; it has minute scales towards the base. The free pectoral appendages are six in number; the upper one is the longest, reaching to the anal fin, and is not quite one-third of the total length. The root of the ventral falls a little behind the middle of the pectoral, and in the vertical from the eleventh scale of the lateral line; it is short, one-eighth of the total length, reaching to the vent; its spine is more than half the length of the adjacent ray. ‘The scales are of moderate size, scarcely higher than long, and minutely ciliated on the posterior margin. ‘The lateral line is straight, bifurcating between the lobes of the caudal. Teeth on the vomer in a narrow transverse patch. Two specimens, 12 inches long, are in the Collection, one found by Mr. Salvin at Chiapam, the other by Capt. Dow at Panama. Mr. Gill first recognized this species, which is not identical with P. xanthonemus, as suggested in the ‘ Catal. of Fishes.’ 53. PoLYNEMUS OPERCULARIS. Trichidion opercularis, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc, Philad. 1863, p. 169. This fish is described thus :— D.8\f. A.G L. lat. 69-70. L, transv, 8/14, The greatest height equals a fourth of the length to the fork of the caudal fin, and more than a fifth of the extreme, while the head enters four times and a half in the latter. The outline from the dorsal to the snout is nearly rectilinear and little declined. The distance of the anal from the outer axil of the ventral equals that of the posterior nostril from the margin of operculum. The first dorsal, when bent backwards, rests on the fourth scale, in front of the second. The second commences nearly above the twentieth scale of the lateral line. The pectoral is as long as the head behind the pupil. There are eight pectoral filaments, the longest of which extends rather beyond the front of the second dorsal. The colour is greenish brown above and yellowish green below. The operculum is blackish. The first dorsal and the pectorals, except below, are also blackish, as is likewise the margin of the caudal. The anal is tinged with orange. j A single specimen, 11 inches long, was collected by Capt. Dow at Panama. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 425 54. LARIMUS BREVICEPS. Larimus breviceps, Cuv. & Val. v. p. 146, pl. 111. Giinth. Fish. ii. p. 268. Amblyscion argenteus, Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1864, p. 165. Having recently received a fine example of this fish from Panama through Capt. Dow, I have convinced myself that the Pacific examples are not specifically, much less generically, distinct from West-Indian ones. 06. MICROPOGON ALTIPINNIS. Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 149. D.10|5. A.2/7. L. lat. 48-50. L. transy. 7/15. The height of the body is contained thrice and two-thirds in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head thrice and a half. The maxillary extends scarcely beyond the vertical from the anterior margin of the eye. A series of five minute barbels along each side of the mental groove. Two short, strong, divergent spines at the angle of the preoperculum. The third and fourth dorsal spines are long, their length being three-fifths of that of the head; anal spine of moderate strength, not quite one-fourth of the length of the head. Nearly uniform silvery. Two specimens were procured by Mr. Salvin—one, 17 inches long, at Chiapam, and another, 14 inches long, at San José; a third specimen, 43 inches long, was found by Capt. Dow at Panama: this agrees in every other respect with the older examples, but of the minute barbels only a trace of the anterior (longest) pair is visible; so that it appears that this generic (!) character is developed with age. 57. UmBRINA ELoNGATA. (PI. LXIV. fig. 2.) Gunth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 148. D.10|4 A. 1/7. L. lat. 70. L. transv. 7/22. The height of the body is contained four times and a third in the total length (without caudal), and five times if the caudal is included ; the length of the head is two-sevenths of the total, or one-fourth if the caudal is included. The depth of the head is contained once and three-fourths in its length. Snout long; the diameter of the eye is two-fifths of the length of the snout, and one-fourth of the postorbital part of the head. Sym physial barbel very short, as long as the posterior nostril. Preeoperculum without distinct serrature. The length of the second dorsal spine is one-half of that of the head. Posterior margin of the caudal f-shaped, the upper lobe being pointed, the lower rounded; anal spine very feeble. The maxillary extends to the vertical from the anterior margin of the orbit. Upper parts blackish, shining silvery, the lower white. One specimen, 17 inches long, was found by Mr. Salvin at Chiapam. VOL. VI.—PART VII. 3N 426 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 58. UMBRINA NASUS. D10|5. A.1/8. L. lat: 54. L, transv. 6/14. The height of the body is contained four times in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head thrice and one-fourth. Snout much produced beyond the mouth, which is quite at the lower side of the snout. ‘Ihe diameter of the eye is two- thirds of the length of the snout, and two-fifths of that of the postorbital portion of the head. Symphysial barbel very short, scarcely as long as the posterior nostril. Preoperculum distinctly serrated. The second and third dorsal spines are as long as the head, without snout. Posterior margin of the caudal fin f-shaped, the upper lobe being pointed, the lower rounded; anal spine very feeble. ‘The maxillary extends to below the centre of the orbit. Silvery, fins blackish. One specimen, 10 inches long, was found by Capt. Dow at Panama. 99. UMBRINA ANALIS. D. 10|J, A. 2/6. L. lat. 46-48. L. transy. 6/15. The height of the body is one-third of the total length (without caudal), the length of the head two-sevenths. Snout compressed, rather deep, of moderate extent, longer than the eye, which is two-ninths of the length of the head, and equal to the width of the interorbital space. Snout overlapping the mouth, but not much protruding beyond it. Barbel very short, scarcely as long as the posterior nostril. Preeoperculum distinctly serrated. The second and third dorsal spines are not quite as long as the head without snout. Caudal fin subtruncate. Anal spine very strong, more than half as long as the head. The maxillary extends beyond the front margin of the eye. An oblique dark streak runs along each series of scales. The spinous dorsal fin blackish. One specimen, 11 inches long, was found by Capt. Dow at Panama. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 427 I thought it possible for some time that this fish might be identical with Umbrina undulata of Girard ; however, as this writer states that the anal spines of U. undulata are feeble, and gives 1/9 for the number of anal rays, we are not justified in identifying these two species. 61. CorvINA cHRYSOLEUCA. (Pl. LXVII. fig. 1.) Allied to C. ronchus. D. 10|s555, A. 5. L. lat. 55-56. L. transv. 35. The height of the body is contained thrice in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head thrice and one-third. Head thick ; snout obtuse, with the upper jaw slightly overlapping the lower, as long as the diameter of the eye, which is con- tained four times and two-thirds in the length of the head. The maxillary is nearly entirely hidden by the preorbital, and extends beyond the vertical from the centre of the orbit. ‘Teeth of the outer series of the upper jaw rather stronger than the others. Interorbital space slightly convex, only one-third wider than the orbit, its width being two-sevenths of the length of the head. Preeoperculum with spinous teeth round its margin, three on and below the angle being much stronger than the others. Supra- scapular denticulated. The second dorsal spine is the strongest, and the third the longest, being as long as the postorbital portion of the head. ‘The second anal spine is very strong, as long as the longest of the spinous dorsal, and not much shorter than the first anal ray. Caudal fin irregularly rounded. Silvery, irregularly mottled with large brownish patches shining golden. A young specimen (5 inches long) is more uniform silvery. Two specimens, 9 inches long, were collected by Capt. Dow at Panama. I have observed in this species a most extraordinary variation in the size of the scales above the lateral line, such as I do not recollect having seen in other Acanthopterygian fishes. The two larger specimens are of nearly the same size; yet the dorsal scales of one are only half the size of those of the other. The lateral line is composed of nearly the same number of scales in both, and also the scales below the lateral are of nearly the same size. 62. CorviNA veRMicuLaRIS. (Pl. LXVII. fig. 2.) D. 10 = A, = L. transv. aa The height of the body is a little more than one-third of the total length (without caudal); the length of the head two-sevenths. Head moderately compressed, snout obtuse, with the upper jaw overlapping the lower, a little longer than the diameter of the eye, which is one-fifth of the length of the head. ‘The maxillary is entirely hidden by the preorbital, and extends somewhat beyond the vertical from the centre of the orbit. Teeth of the outer series of the upper jaw rather stronger than the others. Interorbital space convex, only one-fourth wider than the orbit, its width being one- 3.N 2 428 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. fourth of the length of the head. Praeoperculum with spinous teeth round its margin ; they are rather widely set and of equally small size. Suprascapular scarcely denticu- lated. The second dorsal spine is scarcely stronger than, and but half as long as, the third, the length of which exceeds somewhat that of the postorbital portion of the head. ‘The second anal spine is very strong, rather shorter than the succeeding ray, and equal in length to the postorbital portion of the head. Caudal fin rounded, with the upper lobe slightly produced. Scales irregularly arranged. Purplish shining silvery; a purplish brown streak, obliquely ascending backwards, follows the middle of each series of scales. Fins brown. A single specimen, 8 inches long, was found by Capt. Dow at Panama. 63. CoRVINA ARMATA. Bairdiella armata, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Se. Philad. 1863, p. 164. This species, which is evidently allied to C. ronchus, is described thus :— D.10\5. Aj L. lat. 51. L. transv. 7/10. The height equals a fourth of the total length, of which the head forms a fourth. The caudal fin equals the head behind the front margin of the eye. The diameter of the eye enters four times and a half in the head’s length, somewhat exceeds the inter- orbital area, which is scarcely convex, and equals the snout. ‘The fourth dorsal spine is longest, and nearly equals half the head’s length; all are stout and robust. The second dorsal commences nearly above the twentieth scale of the lateral line, or tip of pectoral. The second anal spine is very strong, longer than the: first ray, and nearly equals the interval between the front of orbit and opercular flap ; the soft fin behind is incurved. The pectoral equals the interval between the middle of the pupil and the opercular flap, and the ventral that between the front of the pupil and the same. The colour is hoary above, silvery below; the fins yellowish; the vertical, especially the first dorsal, clouded with darker. Found by Capt. Dow at Panama. 64. CoRVINA OPHIOSCION. Ophioscion typicus, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Se. Philad. 1863, p. 164. D. 10) 5555 AG. L. dat. 49. L, transv. The height of the body is nearly equal to the length of the head, and two-sevenths of the total (without caudal). Head rather low, snout obtuse, but prominent, with the upper jaw projecting beyond the lower, the cleft of the mouth being quite at the lower side of the snout. The diameter of the eye equals the extent of-the snout, and is two- ninths of the length of the head. The maxillary is entirely hidden by the preorbital, and extends to below the middle of the orbit. Teeth of the outer series of the upper jaw rather stronger than the others. Interorbital space scarcely convex, only one-third DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 429 wider than the orbit, its width being two-sevenths of the length of the head. Pre- operculum with straight, widely-set, spinous teeth round its margin, those on or near the angle being slightly the strongest. ‘The second dorsal spine is the strongest, the third the longest, its length being more than that of the postorbital portion of the head. The second anal spine is exceedingly strong, about as long as the third dorsal spine, or as the first anal ray. Caudal fin irregularly rounded. Uniform silvery; top of the spinous dorsal blackish. This species appears to be scarce at Panama, Capt. Dow having collected only two examples, of 8 and 6 inches in length. 65, OTOLITHUS SQUAMIPINNIS. DS op Aaa Lalat, 88s Scales rather irregularly arranged; there are nine longitudinal series between the origin of the first dorsal fin and the lateral line, and five or six between the end of the second dorsal fin and the lateral line. The height of the body is contained four times and one-sixth in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head thrice and one-fourth. Lower jaw very prominent, the extent of the snout being contained thrice and one-third in the length of the head. ‘The width of the interorbital space is more than the diameter of the eye, and equals the extent of the upper jaw from the orbit. The maxillary extends to the vertical from the hind margin of the orbit. Praopercular angle slightly produced, dilated into a membranaceous margin which is faintly striated. The spinous dorsal is longer than high ; the spines are feeble, the length of the third being two-fifths of that of the head. Caudal fin rounded, the middle rays being the longest. ‘The membrane of the soft dorsal and anal fins is covered with small, transpa- rent scales, which form a thickish cover on the base of these fins. The length of the pectoral is three-fifths of that of the head. Body uniformly coloured, scales on the sides minutely punctulated with brown ; hinder side of the axil of the pectoral brown. Inner membrane of the gill-cover black. Ventral yellowish. Two specimens, 10 & 11 inches long, were collected by Capt. Dow at Panama. 66. OTOLITHUS ALBUS. Gunth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 149. D. 10) 57. A. 2/9. Scales rather irregularly arranged ; there are seven series between the origin of the dorsal fin and the lateral line. The height of the body is one-fourth of the total length (without caudal), the length of the head two-sevenths. The extent of the snout is one- fourth of the length of the head; the maxillary extends somewhat beyond the vertical from the posterior margin of the eye. Preopercular angle not produced behind. ‘The spinous dorsal is much longer than high ; its spines are feeble, the length of the fourth 450 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. being two-fifths of that of the head. Caudal fin rounded, with the middle rays pro- duced. ‘The second anal spine is truly spinous, not flexible, two-fifths of the length of the first soft ray. Membrane of the dorsal and anal fins not scaly. The pectoral fin extends as far backwards as the ventral, being more than half as long as the head. Immaculate, silvery, back greenish. (Pseudobranchiz present.) One specimen, 14} inches long, was obtained by Mr. Salvin at Chiapam. 67. OTOLITHUS RETICULATUS. Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 149. D.10| sm. A. 11(2/9). Closely allied to 0. carolinensis. Scales rather irregularly arranged; there are nine series between the origin of the dorsal fin and the lateral line. The height of the body is contained four times and a third in the total length (without caudal); the length of the head thrice anda third. The extent of the snout is two-sevenths of the length of the head; the maxillary does not extend backwards to the vertical from the posterior margin of the eye; praopercular angle somewhat produced behind, membranaceous, striated; the posterior margin of the preeoperculum obliquely descending backwards. The spinous dorsal is much longer than high ; its spines are feeble, the fourth being the longest, two-fifths of the length of the head. Caudal fin subtruncated, the middle rays somewhat produced. ‘The first anal ray is quite rudimentary; the second as long as the eye, flexible, scarcely spinous. The pectoral fin extends as far backwards as the ventral, being more than half as long as the head. Back and sides with an irregular network of brown undulated streaks ; fins immaculate. Two specimens were collected by Mr. Salvin—one, 15 inches long, at San José, the other, 13 inches long, at Chiapam. 71. CaRaNxX LEUCURUS. Giinth. Proce. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 24. Very closely allied to C. bicolor. 158) Aa The first dorsal fin is composed of short, stoutish spines, the fourth of which is the longest, but scarcely longer than the eye. The soft dorsal and anal are rather elevated ; the caudal is emarginate, and has the lobes rounded. ‘Teeth very small, forming a single series in both jaws; palate smooth. The height of the body is one-half of the total length (without caudal), the length of the head one-third. Snout rather obtuse, the jaws being equal in front when the mouth is closed; the maxillary extends to below the anterior margin of the orbit. The lateral line makes anteriorly a subsemi- circular curve, the width of which is contained from once and two-thirds to once and four-fifths in the length of the straight portion ; it becomes straight behind the vertical DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 451 from the origin of the second dorsal, and is armed with about fifty small and low shields, only a few of which terminate in a depressed spine. The pectoral fin extends to the anal spines. Brownish grey, body with six dark brown vertical bands; the first crosses the body behind the base of the pectoral, and the fourth descends from the middle of the soft dorsal fin. Operculum with a large black spot. Dorsal, anal, and ventral black ; pectoral and caudal whitish. Only two examples, three inches long, were found by Capt. Dow at Panama. 72. Caranx speciosus (Forsk.). Having examined specimens from Panama, collected by Mr. Salvin, and compared them with others from Borneo, Madras, Zanzibar, &c., I have convinced myself that C. panamensis, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Se. Philad. 1863, p. 166, is identical with C. speciosus. 74. Caranx uippos, L. We have received two examples from the Pacific coast of Panama from Capt. Dow. ‘The younger one, which is 5 inches long, agrees in every point, especially in the height of the body, with Atlantic examples of this species, whilst the older, 10 inches, is identical with that remarkable form described by Mr. Gill as Carangus marginatus (Proc. Acad. Nat. Se. Philad. 1863, p. 166). This is considerably lower in form than the type, the height of the body being only two-sevenths of the total length; but having had an opportunity of comparing the example first mentioned, I do not think it entitled to specific rank, but regard it merely as a variety. The formula of fin rays in our example is D. 7 = A. 2 lz » 75. CARANX CABALLUS. ‘rachurus boops, Girard, U. S. Pac. R. R. Exped. Fish. p. 108; Giinth. Fish. nu. p. 422 (not C. boops, C. & V.). Tai eee | ee baer The teeth of the upper jaw form a villiform band, those of the outer series being a little the larger; those of the lower are in a single series; teeth on the vomer, the palatines, and the tongue. The height of the body is two-sevenths of the total length (without caudal), the length of the head rather more than one-fourth. Eye with a broad adipose membrane in front and behind. Breast scaly. ‘The lateral line is curved, the width of the arch being one-half of the length of the straight portion ; the latter commences in the vertical from the third dorsal ray; the plates commence from the beginning of the straight portion of the lateral line, and are well developed. Lower jaw projecting beyond the upper; maxillary extending to below the anterior rim of the pupil. Pectoral reaching beyond the anterior anal rays. A black opercular spot. Two specimens were collected by Capt. Dow at Panama; the species extends north- wards to the coast of California. 432 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 76. CARANX CANINUS. Dis | Are |e Lat 4: The teeth in the upper jaw form a villiform band, those of the outer series being much the stronger, and widely set. Lower jaw with a single series of rather strong, closely set teeth, and with the two anterior ones somewhat enlarged, canine-like ; teeth on the vomer, the palatines, and the tongue. The height of the body is a little more than the length of the head, and one-third of the total (without caudal). Snout obtuse, as long as the diameter of the eye; eye with an adipose eyelid in front and behind. Preorbital much narrower than the orbit. The maxillary extends beyond the vertical from the centre of the eye. Breast naked; lateral line slightly bent, the width of the arch being contained once and one-third in the length of the straight portion; the latter commences in the vertical from the fifth dorsal ray; the plates do not reach forward to the end of the arched portion, and are well developed. Lower jaw scarcely projecting beyond the upper. Dorsal spines rather stont and short; the fourth is the longest, and one-third of the length of the head. The pectoral extends to the fifth anal ray. A black opercular spot. Membrane of the soft dorsal and anal blackish. One specimen, 7} inches long, was discovered by Capt. Dow at Panama. 77. CARANX DORSALIS. Carangoides dorsalis, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Se. Philad. 1863, p. 166. D.4-5|7. A.2|7g L. Jat. 25*. The teeth in both jaws form villiform bands; teeth on the vomer, the palatine bones, and on the tongue. The height of the body is contained once and four-fifths in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head thrice and one-fourth. The first dorsal fin is but little developed, the spines being short, feeble, and flexible. Anterior rays of the dorsal and anal fins prolonged into a very long filament, sometimes longer than the whole body. Jaws equal in length, the maxillary extends to the vertical from the front margin of the orbit. Lateral line bent, the width of its arch being as long as the straight portion; the latter commences below the middle of the second dorsal fin. The plates are moderately developed, and commence at some distance from the bend of the lateral line. Gill-membrane above the pectoral blackish; posterior half of the ventrals black. Panama. We have received two examples from Capt. Dow, one 19 inches long. * Mr. Gill counted 44; this is either a mistake, or he has counted small scales not deserving the name of plates. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 433, 82. CHORINEMUS ALTUS, Dye ae The height of the body is contained thrice in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head four times and one-fourth. Eye rather large, its diameter being equal to the length of the snout, and one-fourth of that of the head. Lower jaw projecting be- yond the upper. “Maxillary very narrow posteriorly, scarcely extending to the ver- tical from the hind margin of the eye; the length of the intermaxillary is contained once and three-fourths in the length of the head. The infraorbital, situated above the maxillary, is as broad as the bone next above it; none of these bones reach to the anterior preopercular ridge. Pectoral fin longer than the ventral, nearly as long as the head (with- out snout). Coloration uniform. One example, 11 inches long, has been recently sent by Capt. Dow from Panama. 83, CHORINEMUS INORNATUS. Oligoplites inornatus, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1863, p. 166. D: 5|a° A. 2 lap. “The height of the body enters four times and two-thirds in the total length; the length of the head five times and two-thirds. The upper maxillary reaches nearly to the vertical from the hinder margin of the orbit; the intermaxillary enters twice and one-third in the head’s length. The snout is a little longer than the diameter of the eye; the latter equals a quarter of the head’s length. ‘The infraorbital bones do not extend to the preoperculum; the one above the maxillary bones is wider than the one above itself, and as wide as that behind the eye. ‘The opercular apparatus is vertical in front of the pectoral, and for an equal space above. The preoperculum is nearly vertical, and its angle obliquely rounded. The width of the operculum and suboper- culum in front of the lower axilla of the pectoral equals the diameter of the eye and the interval between suboperculum and axil. ‘lhe pectoral equals the interval between its axis and the hinder border of the pupil; the ventral is rather shorter, but its end almost or quite reaches to the anus. The colour is uniform, tinged with blue above.” One adult specimen was collected by Capt. Dow on the Pacific coast. of Central America. VOL. VI.—PART VII. 30 434 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 85. TRAcHYNoTUS FasclATUS. (Plate LXIX. fig. 4.) Trachynotus fasciatus, Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Philad. 1863, p. 86. glaucoides, Giinth, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 150. D. 6p. A. le Closely allied to 7. glaucus, but with the body more elevated. The height of the body is one-half of the total length (without caudal); the length of the head two- sevenths. The maxillary extends to below the middle of the eye. Anterior dorsal and anterior anal rays, and the caudal lobes, much prolonged, the length of the latter being two-sevenths of the total. The ventral fin does not extend to the vent. Five narrow blackish vertical bars across the lateral line. ‘ One specimen, 7 inches long, was obtained by Mr. Salvin at San José; two others, 11 inches long, were obtained by Capt. Dow at Panama. Description.—This species has the body (without caudal) of a rhomboidal form, its greatest height being between the last spine of the dorsal and the vent, and one-half of the total length (without caudal) ; the upper profile between the dorsal and the snout is oblique, feebly convex over the eye. ‘The length of the head is contained thrice and one- half in the total (without caudal). ‘The diameter of the eye is rather more than the length of the snout, and contained thrice and two-thirds in that of the head. The cleft of the mouth is narrow; the maxillary reaches nearly to the level of the centre of the diameter of the eye; its length is a little more than one-third of that of the head. The width of the space between the eyes is more than one-third of the length of the head, or equal to the distance from the tip of the snout to the centre of the eye. Praoperculum with the hinder margin straight, and at a right angle with the lower border, which is also straight and parallel with the axis of the body. Operculum small, narrow, about two- thirds as long as high; the hinder border of the opercular apparatus is formed almost entirely of the sub- and interoperculum ; it is rounded and membranaceous: the line of the separation between the operculum and suboperculum is at right angles with that between the sub- and interoperculum. There is a recumbent spine before the com- mencement of the first dorsal, and in a line with the posterior part of the axil of the pectoral ; the dorsal spines, seven in number, are short; the first is minute, but erect, and not attached by any apparent membrane to the second; the others show a slight progression in dimensions, and are united by a low membrane. ‘The base of the soft dorsal is not twice as long as that of the spinous; the first two rays, which are the longest, project considerably beyond any of the others, and are equal to half the length of the body (without the caudal); the following rays diminish very rapidly in length, and from the eighth ray to the last the fin is scarcely higher than the spinous dorsal, and its upper edge almost straight. The distance between the dorsal fin and the caudal is equal to that between the anal and caudal. ‘The anal fin is preceded by three short spines about equal to the fourth, fifth, and sixth of the dorsal. The base of the DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 435 soft portion of the anal is about as long as that of the soft dorsal: it consists of eighteen rays, and perfectly resembles the soft dorsal in shape, having the first two rays much longer than the others, equal to the corresponding rays in the dorsal, and the following rays rapidly decreasing in length to the sixth, from which the margin of the fin is almost straight. The pectoral fin is pointed, of moderate size, its length being three-fourths that of the head. The ventrals are short, more than half the length of the pectoral, and not reaching to the vent. The tail behind the dorsal and anal is compressed and narrow. The caudal is deeply forked; the lobes are equal, and con- tained thrice and a half in the total length; it is covered with small scales. The body is covered with very minute scales ; those at the base of the vertical fins and near the lateral line are a little larger. The head and opercular bones are entirely naked. The lateral line shows a somewhat irregular sinuosity slightly above the median axis of the body for the first half of its length, after which it is perfectly straight, termi- nating between the two lobes of the caudal. Teeth small, villiform; a small central patch on the vomer, and a narrow one on each of the palatines. Bluish green above, silvery beneath. Five vertical brown stripes down the sides of the body across the lateral line, the first two being nearer together than the others, which are at almost equal distances: the first behind the axil of the pectoral, the second below the third dorsal spine, the third below the sixth, the fourth below the seventh dorsal ray, and the fifth below the seventeenth. However, the second and third of these bands are placed sometimes more backwards, which is evidently the case in the example described by Mr. Gill, and named by him 7. fasciatus. Having recently obtained two examples from Capt. Dow, one of which shows the arrangement of the bands as in 7. glaucoides, on one side, and that of 7. fasciatus on the other, I cannot entertain any doubt as to the specific identity of these fishes. 86. PrLamys sarpa, BI. We may mention this species here, although it is not contained in any of the collec- tions forming the material for this Memoir, because Dr. Ayres alludes to it in the following manner :—* A species of Pelamys brought to the markets of San Francisco is without ques- tion the P. sarda. The closest examination fails to distinguish it from the Atlantic form. Previous to this time we had no positive knowledge of any fish in the low latitudes which inhabits Californian waters and those of the Atlantic.”—Proc. Calif. Acad. 1855, p. 74. 90. Barracnus pactrict (Gthr.). In other specimens recently collected by Capt. Dow at Panama, I find the membrane at the bottom of the pouch of the axil of the pectoral fin (described in Fish. iii. p. 173) folded and wrinkled, with a great quantity of coagulated mucus between the folds. The same species appears to occur also on the coast of West Africa, a specimen having been lately obtained by Dr. Steindachner, who describes it as B. liberiensis (Sitzgsber. Ak. Wiss. Wien, 1867, lv. p. 525, Taf. 1. figs. 2 & 3). 5302 436 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. THALASSOPHRYNE'. Thalassophryne, Giinth. Fish. iii. p. 174. Head broad, depressed ; body subcylindrical anteriorly, and compressed posteriorly ; skin naked. Canine teeth none. Operculum with a single spine. The spinous dorsal formed by two spines of moderate length. ‘The opercular and dorsal spines with a canal conducting a poisonous fluid from a sac situated at their base. Gill-opening not very narrow, not extending to the isthmus. Atlantic coasts of Tropical America. 92. THALASSOPHRYNE MACULOSA. (Plate LX VIII. fig. 1.) Ginth. Fish. i. p. 175. Dy) 19. A. V8. Ve TZ: Brown, marbled with darker; some round black spots on the pectoral and the side of the body. The general habitus is that of a Batrachus. The head is somewhat longer than broad, its length being contained thrice and one-third in the total; it is moderately depressed. The snout is short, obtuse, with the cleft of the mouth ascending obliquely upwards, and with the chin prominent. The maxillary extends to the vertical from the posterior margin of the orbit. . The teeth are obtusely conical, standing in single series, except anteriorly in the lower jaw, where they form two series, and in the upper, where they are cardiform, in a narrow band. ‘The eyes are directed upwards and very small, their width being one-half of that of the bony bridge between the orbits. Gill-covers with a single spine; it is long, slender, cylindrical, like one of the dorsal spines, and has the operculum for its base. Gill-opening not very narrow; it extends from the upper base of the pectoral obliquely downwards and forwards to the level of the inferior base of the pectoral. The two dorsal spines are slender, pungent, about one-third of the length of the head. Dorsal and anal fins terminate immediately before the root of the caudal, the length of which is one-seventh of the total. Pectoral obliquely rounded, extending to the origin of the anal; ventral rather short, not quite one-half the length of the head, extending to the base of the pectoral. Skin perfectly smooth, with some very short tentacles at the lower jaw. Two short horizontal muciferous channels on the cheek and the lateral line are very distinct; they are not, as usually, composed of a series of distant pores, but the pores are confluent, forming one continuous groove of a white colour. Other muciferous channels, as for instance along the base of the anal, are composed of separate indistinct pores. Colour brown, marbled with darker ; pectoral fins and sides of the body with some round black spots; chin and ventrals brownish ; belly white. A single specimen from Puerto Cabello is known. 2 Greek denomination for Sea-toad. DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 437 lines Win falelentoblig $54 ccs avaceoraeactne sare as ndstceiaokgcseteer 54 dient of tienhends yeh sccasmee ny sated sSac 6 spicisnisto ae 16 Wad thi ofeth eshead ins csas quench ot sn ete sceio tenes wsilsiastie 14 Weptheotithe sh cad rrs scat pecs teas sea edeolasalaxsiese cs 10 Miameterioftheve ye). scctctins fe citsel ost aceieriesh oabscie skemeise 1 Wenothvotethe eau dalle tile aeeeeaactsmeseeeeeereae imei. 8 oletheyventrall fim is. teeneus eta k wanes ase atecist 7 93. THALASSOPHRYNE RETICULATA. (Plate LXVIII. fig. 2.) Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, pp. 150, 155. Waa|24er BAS 2a OV ad/22. Bal6; The length of the head is two-sevenths of the total length (without caudal). ‘The teeth on the palate are in a single series, very short, obtuse, incisor-like. Pectoral very large, extending backwards to the sixth anal ray. Head, body, and fins brown. with a network of yellowish lines; vertical and pectoral fins with a white margin. In other respects this species agrees with 7. maculosa; so that we may refer to the description of that species given above. . Three specimens were found by Messrs. Dow and Salvin on the Pacific coast of Panama : the largest is 13 inches long. In this species I first observed and closely examined the poison-organ with which the fishes of this genus are provided. Its structure is as follows :— 1. The opercular part.—The operculum is very narrow, vertically styliform, and very mobile; it is armed behind with a spine, 8 lines long in a specimen of 103 inches, and of the same form as the venom-fang of a snake; it is, however, somewhat less curved, being only slightly bent upwards; it has a longish slit at the outer side of its extremity, which leads into a canal perfectly closed, and running along the whole length of its Fig. 1. Hinder half of the head, with the venom-sac of the opercular apparatus in _ situ. * Place where the small opening in the sac has been observed. a. La- teral line and its branches. 6. Gill- opening. c¢. Ventral fin. d. Base of pectoral fin. e. Base of dorsal fin. Fig. 2. Operculum, with the perforated spine. interior; a bristle introduced into the canal reappears through another opening at the 438 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. base of the spine, entering into a sac situated on the opercle and along the basal half of the spine; the sac is of an oblong-ovate shape, and about double the size of an oat- erain, Though the specimen had been ‘preserved in spirits for about nine months, it still contained a whitish substance of the consistency of thick cream, which on the slightest pressure freely flowed from the open:ng in the extremity of the spine. On the other hand, the sac could be easily filled with air or fluid from the foramen of the spine. No gland could be discovered in the immediate neighbourhood of the sac; but on a more careful inspection I found a minute tube floating free in the sac, whilst on the left-hand side there is only a small opening instead of the tube. The attempts to introduce a bristle into this opening for any distance failed, as it appears to lead into the interior of the basal portion of the operculum, to which the sac firmly adheres at this spot. 2. The dorsal part is composed of the two dorsal spines, each of which is 10 lines long, The whole arrangement is the same as in the opercular spines; their slit is at the front side of the point; each has a separate sac, which occupies the front of the basal portion; the contents were the same as in the opercular sacs, but in somewhat greater quantity. A strong branch of the lateral line ascends to the immediate neighbourhood of their base. Thus we have four poison-spines, each with a sac at its base; the walls of the sacs are thin, composed of a fibrous membrane, the interior of which is coated over with mucosa. ‘There are no secretory glands imbedded between these membranes, and these sacs are probably merely the reservoirs in which the fluid secreted accumulates. ‘The absence of a secretory organ in the immediate neighbourhood of the reservoirs (an organ the size of which would be in accordance with the quantity of the fluid secreted), the diversity of the osseous spines which have been modified into poison-organs, and the actual communication indicated by the foramen in the sac, lead me to the opinion that the organ of secretion is either that system of muciferous channels which is found in nearly the whole class of fishes, and the secretion of which has poisonous qualities in a few of them, or at least an independent portion of it. This description was made from the first example; through the kindness of Capt. Dow I received two other specimens; and in the hope of proving the connexion of the poison- bags with the lateral-line system, Tasked Dr. Pettigrew, of the Royal College of Surgeons, a gentleman whose great skill has enriched that collection with a series of the most admirable anatomical preparations, to lend me his assistance in injecting the canals. The injection of the bags through the opening of the spine was easily accomplished ; but we failed to drive the fluid beyond the bag, or to fill with it any other part of the system of muciferous channels. This, however, does not disprove the connexion of the poison-bags with that system, inasmuch as it became apparent that, if’there be minute openings, they are so contracted by the action of the spirit in which the speci- DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 439 mens were preserved, as to be impassable to the fluid of injection. A great part of the lateral-line system consists of open canals; however, on some parts of the body, these canals are entirely covered by the skin: thus, for instance, the open lateral line ceases apparently in the suprascapular region, being continued again in the parietal region. We could not discover any trace of an opening by which the open canal leads to below the skin; yet we could distinctly trace the existence of the continuation of the canal by a depressed line, so that it is quite evident that such openings do exist, although they may be passable only in fresh specimens. ‘Thus, likewise, the existence of openings in the bags, as I believe to have found in the first specimen dissected, may be proved by examination of fresh examples. The sacs are without an external muscular layer, and situated immediately below the loose thick skin which envelopes their spines to their extremity; the ejection of the poison into a living animal, therefore, can only be effected by the pressure to which the sac is subjected the moment the spine enters another body. Nobody will suppose that a complicated apparatus like the one described can be intended for conveying an innocuous substance; and therefore I have not hesitated to designate it as poisonous; and, Capt. Dow informs me in a letter lately received, “ the natives of Panama seemed quite familiar with the existence of the spines and of the emission from them of a poison which, when introduced into a wound, caused fever, an effect somewhat similar to that produced by the sting of a Scorpion; but in no case wags a wound caused by one of them known to result seriously. The slightest pressure of the finger at the base of the spine caused the poison to jet a foot or more from the opening of the spine.” The greatest importance must be attached to this fact, imas- much as it assists us in our inquiries into the nature of the functions of the muciferous system, the idea of its being a secretory organ having lately been superseded by the notion that it serves merely as a stratum for the distribution of peripheric nerves. Also the objection that the Sting-Rays and many Siluroid fishes are not poisonous, because they have no poison-organ, cannot be maintained, although the organs conveying their poison are neither so well adapted for this purpose nor in such a perfect connexion with the secretory mucous system as in Thalassophryne. The poison-organ serves merely as a weapon of defence. All the Batrachoids with obtuse teeth on the palate and in the lower jaw feed on Mollusca and Crustaceans. 95, ANTENNARIUS LEOPARDINUS. (Plate LXIX. fig. 3.) Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 151. IDE BGS ATG dee IU Skin very rough, covered with minute spines; anterior dorsal spine (tentacle) not longer than the second, terminating in a small, flat disk ; the third is separate from the soft dorsal. . Brownish grey, marbled with rose-colour, and with brown dots on the 440 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. sides ; a black ocellus edged with rosy in the middle of the side, another larger one on the base of the ninth and tenth dorsal rays, and one or two small ones on the side of the tail. Belly covered with round brown spots; caudal with ovate black spots, arranged in three transverse series ; all the other fins with similar spots. One specimen, 24 inches long, was found by Capt. Dow on the Pacific coast of Panama. 96. ANTENNARIUS TENUIFILIS. DPD, 3/12.