1854.] 



201 



rally given too much value to a mere convenient word, with which naturalists 

 empirically designate groups of organized beings possessing characters of com- 

 parative constancy, so far as historic experience has guided them in giving due 

 weight to such constancy. 



The question of the origin of species, whether from a single pair or from a 

 plural stock, whether by ascent from the lowest form of life, in gradually di- 

 verging series, or whether through innumerable miraculous interpositions, 1 

 think is entirely independent of the former question. 



To return to the fossil ; the maxilla has the same form externally as in the 

 corresponding bone of the recent wolves with which I have compared it. The 

 infra-orbital foramen is on a line vertical to the interval between the third and 

 fourth molar teeth, which is slightly farther back than in any of the skulls of 

 recent wolves examined. 



The penultimate molar is less concave posteriorly than in our recent speci- 

 mens ; and its antero-posterior diameter internally is greater in relation to the 

 same diameter externally ; in other words, the tooth internally is less narrowed 

 than in recent wolves. It is also broader in the antero-posterior diameter when 

 compared with its transverse diameter. Its basal ridge externally is more 

 abrupt and is slightly mammillated at its border. The second and third molars 

 have their basal ridge internally more developed, which is also the case with the 

 internal oblique ridge descending towards the cusp anteriorly. 



The principal measurements of the fossil, in comparison with those of the 

 corresponding part in recent wolves are as follows : 



MEASUREMENTS. 



o 



O P 



c 



3c 

 "a "a 



c 



CD 



? 



, 2 

 << & 

 re 



< S 

 P <~ 

 D P, 



From base of crown of third molar to the upper mar- 

 gin of maxilla, ....... 



From base of crown of fourth molar to upper margin 

 of maxilla, ........ 



From back of last molar to canine alveolus, 



From back of last molar to front of second molar, . 



Antero-posterior diameter of penultimate molar exter- 

 nally, 



Ditto, at middle, ....... 



Breadth of do 



Antero-posterior diameter of ante-penultimate molar . 



lines 

 24 



36 

 43 

 37 



8 

 6* 



10| 



13 



21 



30 



39* 



34i| 



7* 

 5* 



10 



1)1 



re 

 go 



9 



Q 

 P 



- 



3 a 



T? O 



90 



D 



& 



24 



34 



42* 



35* 



8 



6 

 10* 

 12* 



26 



36 

 46 

 39 



8 



6 

 10J 

 13 



a 



p 



B 

 . 51* 



< 



8 



< 



IB 



31 



41 

 53 

 45 



9 



7* 



11* 

 16 



Oa motion of Mr. Foulke, it was Resolved, That a copy of the Pro- 

 ceedings of the Academy be presented to the Natural History Society 

 of Schuylkill Co., Penn., at Pottsville. 



ELECTIONS. 



Dr. Thomas Newbold, Mr. Francis Fassitt, and Mr. John A. Guex, 

 all of Philadelphia, were elected Members; and Mr. S. S. Rathvon, of 

 Lancaster, Penn., Mr. R. K. Winslow, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Prof. 

 E. Briieke, of Vienna, were elected Correspondents. 



