396 Zoological Society. 



Total length of the lower jaw 6^ 



Length of the dentinal series in the lower jaw 4 



Breadth between the outer cusps of the two posterior molars 2f 



Breadth between the points of the lower canines 1 



In summing up the characters of this singular species (which, as far 

 as is known, is the sole representative of the genus), several affinities 

 not usually associated are manifest. Thus in the form of the tail, and 

 the way in which it perforates the interfemoral membrane, it bears 

 strong resemblance to the genus Taphozous, whilst the strength and 

 form of the hinder limbs, but more especially the form and implan- 

 tation of the canine and incisor teeth, would seem to indicate an affi- 

 nity with the genus Molossus (Nyctinomus), both of these genera 

 being representatives of the family Noctilionina. Again, on exami- 

 ning attentively the forms of the ear and tragus, we shall be struck 

 with the great resemblance which the latter bears to that of some of 

 the examples of the genus Vespertilio, and the former, although dif- 

 fering considerably from the ear in Vespertilio, bears nevertheless a 

 greater resemblance to it than perhaps to that of any other genus. 

 But there is another peculiarity to which I have already alluded, 

 which is deserving of especial notice — the presence of four bony pha- 

 langes in the second finger, — a peculiarity in which it resembles the 

 PhyllostomidcB or Leaf-nosed Bats of the New World, that number 

 being one of their characteristics ; whilst in all the Old World genera, 

 with the exception of the one now under notice, we find that that 

 finger has only three bony phalanges*. There are, however, several 

 characters present which appear to belong exclusively to the present 

 genus, such as the form of the snout and nostrils, the singular mark- 

 ings on some of the membranes, and the peculiar quality of the fur. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Note on Elephant Remains from the Gravel near Balling don Hill, 

 Essex. By John Brown, Esq., F.G.S., of Stanway. 



To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. 



Stanway, near Colchester, Oct. 1, 1857. 

 Gentlemen, — In the eighth volume of the Magazine of Natural 

 History, for the year 1835, p. 353, is an article which at that time I 

 had the pleasure of sending to Mr. Loudon, the then editor of that 

 interesting and very useful work, on some fossil remains (teeth and 

 bones) found at that time in a gravel-pit at Ballingdon, Essex, near 

 Sudbury. These remains consisted of tusks, teeth, and many bones of 



* A similar peculiarity occurs in the genus Centurio, which, when first de- 

 scribed by Dr. Gray, was thought to be a native of the Old World, but there was 

 some dovibt as to the exact locality from whicli it had been received. But other 

 examples have been since obtained from the New World, and its near alliance 

 witli the tailless Phyllostomidcp has been satisfactorily established. The existence 

 therefore of four phalanges in this finger in Centurio cannot be considered, as in 

 Mystacina, as an exception to a general rule, but on the contrary as a further 

 extension of it. 



