Page:Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, vol. 31.djvu/840

684 2. Several other vertebræ, dorsal and lumbar.

3. A perfect scapholunare of the right side, measuring 2⋅1 x 2⋅2 inches in antero-posterior and transverse diameters.

4. A third lower molar, much worn, and dark-coloured, measuring 0⋅9 x 0⋅7 inches.

5. A scaphoid of smaller size.

The dimensions of these bones and tooth, with the exception of the navicular last enumerated, would indicate that they belonged to an animal of large size; and from the dimensions of the tooth I should be inclined to refer it to Ursus ferox. None of them presents any characters rendering it likely that the species was U. spelæus.

H. spelæa is represented by portions of several lower jaws, teeth, and other bones, which call for no particular remark, except that they all appear to have belonged to aged individuals—several of the teeth being worn to mere stumps.

Three species of the genus Canis are represented in the collection.

1.

Numerous bones of a large Wolf occur, amongst which the principal are:—

1. A portion of the mandible containing the $\overline{pm. 4}$ and $\overline{m. 1.}$ The specimen is chiefly remarkable for the extreme wearing of the teeth.

The dimensions of the teeth, as regards length and thickness, are precisely the same as in a specimen of the Arctic Wolf (No. 4370 A, R. C. S.) with which I have compared them. At the same time, however, it should be remarked that the dimensions of $\overline{m. 1,}$ or the lower carnassial, are exactly alike in the European and Arctic Wolf, whilst the length of the fourth premolar is rather greater in the European form. In the size of the latter tooth the cave-specimen agrees exactly with Canis occidentalis; and to that extent the fossilized specimen may be regarded as more nearly approaching the American than the existing European species.

I would also here remark that in a specimen of Wolf from the Cavern of Gailenreuth, the difference in the size of all the premolars, except the first, is in the same direction; that is to say, so far as I have had an opportunity of observing, it would seem not improbable that the existing European Wolf has rather larger premolars than the ancient cave-animals. The point is perhaps one worthy of more extended inquiry.

2. A perfect atlas, the transverse diameter of which is 4⋅15 inches. The muscular impressions are very strongly marked.

3. A nearly perfect axis, which accords with the above exactly in size, and might be supposed, as I think is highly probable, to belong to the same individual; the two, however, differ in colour.