DICHODON 



333 



the size of a fallow-deer : it had a long and strong tail, and 

 was probably of aquatic habits. Smaller and more delicate 

 species of Anoplotherioids from upper eocene strata have been 

 referred to distinct genera by later palaeontologists. The re- 



Fig. 101. 

 Bestoration of the Anoplotherium (Eocene Gyps). 



searches of Baron Cuvier, which resulted in the restoration of 

 the Palceotherium and Anop>lotherium, are the most instructive 

 which the palaeontologist can study. They form the third 

 volume of the 4to edition of the Ossemens Fossilcs, 1822-5. 



Genus Dichodon, Ow. — The upper eocene beds of Hamp- 

 shire have yielded evidence of an extinct form of even-toed 

 (artiodactyle) hoofed quadruped, most interesting as a transi- 

 tional form between the Anoplotherioids and the true Eumi- 

 nants. Like the Anoplotherium the dental series is continu- 

 ous, without break — a character which is only manifested by 

 mankind among existing Mammals — the crowns of the teeth, 

 in Dichodon, being all of nearly equal height, as they are in 

 man. On each side of both upper and lower jaws there are 

 in the Dichodon (fig. 102) three incisors (i i, z, 3), one canine 

 (c), four premolars {jp 1, 2, 3, 4 ), and three true molars {in i, 

 2, 3 ) —in all forty-four teeth, constituting the typical diphyo- 

 dont* dentition which so many mammalian genera, on their 

 first appearance in the eocene strata, exhibit. It is formulized 



as follows 



• 3-3 1-1 4-4 



3-3 



3-3' c \-\->P 4-4' m 3^3 



44. From the first incisor 



Soe Ency. Brit., art. Odontology, p. 439. 



