164 FELID&. 
mined, if possible, in the Continental specimens of the 
skulls of the Felis spelea. If the nasal processes of the 
superior maxillary bones do not extend as far backwards 
as the nasal bones, it may be concluded that the species 
was not a Lion; but, as the shorter processes of the supe- 
rior maxillary bones are present in the skull of the Jaguar 
and Leopard, as well as the Tiger, the approximation of 
the fossil to the striped or the spotted species of the genus 
Felis will depend upon other characters. 
The most characteristic British fossil of the great spe- 
lean Tiger, as it will, for convenience’ sake, be here termed, 
is a considerable proportion of the right upper jaw, with 
the external incisor, the canine, and the second and third 
premolars in situ; the first and the tubercular molar being. 
lost ; fig. 63. The length of the fragment is six inches; the 
length of the canine tooth is five inches; the circumference 
of the base of its crown three inches and a half. These di- 
mensions equal those of the same parts in the largest African 
Lion or Bengal Tiger; but it would seem, both from Conti- 
nental fossils, and some that have been found in British 
fresh-water strata, that the spelean Tiger had more power- 
ful limbs and larger paws, as will be perceived from the 
following table of admeasurements. 
Felis spelea. — Frelis tigris. 
In. Lines. In. Lines. 
Length of the first left metacarpal bone 6 
first left metatarsal bone 
second left metatarsal bone 
third left metatarsal bone 
fourth left metatarsal bone 
proximal phalanx of the second toe 
left hind-foot 2 5 1 10 
The teeth of the Felis spelea, which Dr. Buckland 
determines among the fossils of the Kirkdale cave, ex- 
D or or 
Aowo w 
~ Pm OO 
eT Dw © 
or 
ceeded in size those of the largest Lion or Bengal Tiger, 
but not in the same degree as the bones of the feet ; nor 
