Page:Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, vol. 31.djvu/846

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690
G. BUSK ON THE MAMMALIAN REMAINS FROM THE

There is nothing remarkable in these bones. They indicate the presence of several individuals, one of which at least, to judge from an astragalus, must have been of small size as compared with the average Irish Elk; whilst amongst the others must have been one of large stature, as estimated from a metacarpal nearly 15 inches long, the usual length of that bone in the fossil Elk being under 14 inches.

3. Ovis.

1. O. aries.

A lower jaw. and a detached ulna represent the Sheep amongst the collection; but both appear to be quite recent.

III. Order PERISSODACTYLA.

1. Equus.

1. E. caballus.

The principal remains of the Horse belong to an animal of medium size. Those of most importance are:—

1. The lower half of a tibia, gnawed apparently by a Wolf.

2. The distal end of a cannon bone.

3. Several teeth of both upper and lower jaw, in no way distinguishable from those of the existing Horse.

2. Rhinoceros.

All the remains of Rhinoceros in the collection appear to belong to R. tichorhinus; amongst them may be noted:—

1 and 2. The middle portions of the shaft of the right and left humerus, obviously of the same individual. They are both gnawed by Hyæna in the same way in which that carnivore almost invariably attacks the bone in question. The whole of the proximal extremity and the upper part of the shaft are gone, together with the outer condyle and corresponding part of the shaft.

3. Several upper and lower molars, all presenting well marked tichorhine characters.

4. Four astragali—three more or less gnawed, and one quite entire, which fits into

5. The distal portion of a right tibia.

6. A fragment of the scapula.

7. A portion of the shaft of the left tibia, but apparently not of the same individual as the right tibia above noted.

8. A fragment of the right calcaneum.

9. An entire and perfect third metacarpal.

10. Several fragments of ribs &c.

Mr. Mello is disposed to assign a lower molar of Rhinoceros, in his possession, rather to R. hemitæchus than to R. tichorhinus. The tooth, however, is so much worn that its determination must be very doubtful. Of the other Rhinocerine remains that have come under my observation there can be no doubt whatever.