PROBLEMS OF HUMAN DENTITIOX 115 



These occur most frequently in which the superniunerary ele- 

 ment is reduced to an additional cusp at the buccal side of the 

 crown, the root being completely fused with the anterior buccal 

 root of the molar. To procure a general idea of the form of 

 molars provided with a paramolar cusp, I have reproduced in 

 figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 some preparations from my collection. 

 In figures 11 and 12 is reproduced a maxilla, the third molar of 

 which })ears the indisputable signs of a coalescence with the 

 Paramolar II. In figure 13 a series of thirty second molars with 

 a paramolar tubercle are represented and in figure 14 a series 

 of twelve third molars with such an additional cusp. One might 

 look in vain in any odontological collection for series as fine as 

 these, which undoubtedly are unique. 



As clearly shown by these figures, in most specimens the 

 coalesced paramolar exhibits a single cusp, united with the 

 crown of the molar in such a manner that there remains no 

 doubt as to its nature as an acccessory element, foreign to the 

 normal cusp-differentiation of the molars; for the normal feature 

 of the crown is not altered by this supernumerary cusp, which 

 never is united with the crown in such a manner that a grinding 

 surface of higher differentiation results. It never participates 

 in the function of the molar. 



In some cases, relatively rare, the paramolar-cusp is of a 

 larger development, possessing two tubercles and very rarely it 

 happens, as in figures 11 and 12, that the additional element 

 bears the character of a little crown, with a central depression. 



A close study of all the molai's with a paramolar tubercle now 

 in my possession, has acquainted me with its three following 

 characteristics. First: a paramolar-cusp is never found in the 

 first molar; second: this supernumerary cusp occurs more fre- 

 quently in the second molar than in the third; and finally: the 

 paramolar-tubercle is always united witli the anterior buccal 

 cusp of the molar (second or third). 



These three peculiarities merit our careful attention. The 

 lack of the cusp in the first molar is a fact already established 

 by de Terra and Batujeff. Upon a close examination, I have 

 seen, in the course of my investigation of skulls, at least twenty 



