Capt. Cautlcy on a Fossil Ruminant allied to Giraffidse. 1G9 



pose of recognition and comparison. The dimensions are as 



follows : 



Length in the barrel 7*8 inch. 



Breadth in centre ditto 1*7 — 



Depth ditto ditto 22 — 



There are marked differences between this fossil and the 

 corresponding vertebra of the existing camel, and in com- 

 paring them together the following appear to be the most 

 worthy of notice. 



In the fossil the oblique processes are much shorter and 

 stouter than those of the camel, with articulating surfaces at 

 a greater angle : the barrel of the vertebra is much longer : 

 the hollows or depressions which appear directly under the 

 anterior oblique processes, and the ridges radiating from the 

 extremity of the spinous process towards the expanded sur- 

 face of the posterior oblique processes so well marked in the 

 camel, are altogether wanting in the fossil; the upper surface, 

 with the exception of the spinous process, being altogether 

 flat and unmarked. 



On the inferior or lower side of the vertebra there is also a 

 considerable difference, that of the camel being much curved 

 and hollow, uninterupted by ridge excepting in the vicinity 

 of the posterior extremity, where there is a knob or round pro- 

 cess : in the fossil this knob is wanting, but in its place there 

 exists a well-defined sharp ridge from one extremity to the 

 other. The transverse processes of the fossil are imperfect, 

 but the form and angle of departure from the barrel of the 

 vertebra differs from those of the camel. 



The foramina for the transmission of the vertebral artery 

 are well defined in the fossil, the space between the entrance 

 and exit occupying the central third portion of the whole 

 length; a prominent well-defined ridge runs obliquely across 

 the plane of the side, connecting the upper anterior oblique 

 process with the lower and posterior extremity of the trans- 

 verse process ; a very marked peculiarity, which, with the po- 

 sition of the foramina, separates the fossil from the camel. 



