304 TAPIROIDA. 
individual; for the posterior surface of the anterior ridge 
of the last molar tooth has been slightly abraded by masti- 
cation, and the extent of the fractured jaw behind it 
proves that there existed no other alveolus posteriorly ; 
but that the perfect tooth im situ is the true ultimate 
molar. From the above described characters of this tooth, 
we may infer that the whole dental series of the extinct 
eocene Pachyderm offered modifications of the Lophiodont 
type of dentition which led towards that of the Axthra- 
cotheria, more especially of the smaller species from Ga-. 
ronne and Velary. 
From the closer resemblance which the fossil presents to 
the true Lophiodons, it must be regarded as a member of 
the same family of tapiroid Pachyderms; indicating 
therein a distinct subgenus, characterised by the want of 
parallelism of the two principal transverse ridges, and by 
the rudimental state of the posterior talon in the last molar 
tooth of the lower jaw. The name Ooryphodon, which I 
have proposed for this subgenus, is derived from zogug7 
a pot, and doug a tooth, and is significative of the deve- 
lopment of the angles of the ridges into points. The 
broad, ridged, and pointed grinding surface of the tooth 
indicates its adaptation to comminute the coarser kinds of 
vegetable substances; and it is very probable that the 
habits and food of the Tapir, which is the nearest existing 
analogue of the Coryphodon, are not very dissimilar from 
those which characterised of old the present extinct spe- 
cies and the true Lophiodons. 
The American Tapir is described as “‘ passing a solitary 
existence, buried in the depths of the forests and never 
associating with its fellows; but flying from society and 
avoiding as much as possible the neighbourhood of man. 
It rarely stirs abroad from its retreat during the day, 
