By Mr. Cunnington. 



139 



Figure 1 is a back view, fig. 2 a top view, and fig. 3 a side view 

 of tlie/o.s6v7 cranium. These may be compared with the corresponding 

 representations of a recent skull, shown in figures 4, 5, and 6.^ 



The Bos primigenius deserves some notice, as much attention 

 has been attracted to it during the past month by the sale of some 

 horns of this animal which were found at Melksham by the late 

 Mr. Phillips, and which were described by Mr. Woods in a Mono- 

 graph published in 1839. They have been purchased by the 

 inhabitants of Melksham, and are now to be seen in the Market 

 hall at that town. 



There can be little doubt that this creature lived not only 

 in the time of the drift, but that it continued an inhabitant 

 of this country within the historic period. Caesar speaks of a 

 kind of Ox called Urus, in magnitude little inferior to the Ele- 

 phant, of the colour and shape of the Ox, and possessing such 

 strength and swiftness "that it spared neither man nor beast." 

 A pair of horns of this animal were found in an ancient British 

 barrow at Cherhill, near Calne; thus proving that it was cotem- 

 poraneous with the ancient inhabitants of this country ; although 

 it has been extinct for many centuries. 



Horns and portion of Cranium of Bos primigenius from Cherhill. 1 



The Bos longifrons although existing during the Drift period, 

 continued to live on until more recent times, and it was in all 

 probability the species domesticated by the aborigines of Britain, 

 before the; Roman invasion. 



"What inferences may bo deduced from these facts ? 



I The above wood out is from a photograph by Taylor. The horns are now 

 in the possession of T. H. 8. Sotheron Estcourt, Esq., M.P., who has liberally 

 expressed his intention of presenting them to the Society, as soon as a suitable 

 .Museiini is provided in which they may be preserved. 



