MEGALADAPIS. JI3 



jaw, the posterior premolar has one outer cusp, a fore and 

 hind inner cusp (each joined by a crescent to the outer cusp), 

 and a central inner cusp ; the three molars have two outer 

 and three alternating inner cusps, and to the outer side a 

 basal cingulum ; the posterior molar has a strongly cusped 

 heel. 



Megaladapis madagascariensis, Forsyth !Maj or, the only 

 species of the genus, presents many marsupial and insectivorous 

 characters and features which show some approach towards the 

 South-American Howlers [Alouatta), a specialisation "not in the 

 least," according to Dr. Major, " implying a near relation- 

 ship, but probably only an adaptation to a corresponding 

 function " implied in the " vocal organs of unusual size," which, 

 he believes, Megaladapis to have possessed. Lemurine char- 

 acters, however, predominate. In the shape of its molars it 

 is related to Lepidokmur, and still more closely to Microcebus 

 and Chirogale^ while by the characters of its inter-orbital 

 region it approaches to the Sifakas {Propithecus) and the 

 extinct Adapts. 



The small diameter of its orbits suggests, according to Dr. 

 Major, that in habits this extinct giant Lemur was diurnal ; 

 and from the conformation of its lower jaw " there exists," 

 continues the same distinguished investigator, "a strong 

 assumption that, as in Alouatta, it was provided with vocal 

 organs of unusual size. 



The age of this Howling Lemur, estimated either geologi- 

 cally or by years, cannot be of very great antiquity. Its 

 remains were found associated with those of the giant Moa- 

 like bird, the ^pyornis, of Tortoises and Hippopotami, all 

 now extinct, and of Crocodiles still living in the interior lakes 

 of the island. Some of these animals were certainly contem- 

 3— V- I I 



