B84 Batr—Ffossil Mammalia of Ireland. 
I.—PREHISTORIC MAMMALS OF IRELAND (WILD). 
Auprne Hare, Lepus variabilis, 
Orrer, . . Lutra vulgaris. 
Marren, . . Martes sylvestris. 
Bapcer, . . Meles taxus. 
Tue Brar, . Ursus ( ferox) horribilis.* 
Wor, . -. . Canis lupus. 
Fox, . . . Canis vulpes. 
Horsp, . . Lquus caballus, ferus. 
Rep Derr, . Cervus elaphus. 
Irish E1x, . Cervus (Megaceros) hibernicus. 
REINDEER,. . Cervus tarandus. 
Witp Boar, . Sus scrofa, ferus ? 
1.—Tue Iriso Bear. 
Ursus (ferox) horribilis.* 
While the question may still be considered to be open as to the specific 
identity of the Great Cave Bear of Europe, U. speleus, with the modern Grisly, 
or the Brown Bears, it is so far established that the bear’s remains hitherto found 
in Ireland do not possess the characteristics which are distinctive of the former. 
In the opinion of some of the most eminent zoologists of the present day, 
however, the difference between the Brown Bear of Europe, U. arctos, and the 
Grisly of North America, U. (feror) horribilis, are attributable merely to geo- 
graphical surroundings and diet, and do not amount to what would justify 
specific separation. 
All the remains of Irish bears seem to have belonged to one and the same 
species, of which Ursus arctos and U. feroz (i.e. horribilis) ave surviving: varieties. 
This view may now be accepted as the verdict by most authorities—though 
formerly it was maintained that evidence had been found of the existence of four 
species, including the Polar Bear, in this country. 
There is no certain evidence that the bear existed contemporaneously with 
man in Ireland. Mr. Thompson states that oral tradition asserts that it did, and 
the Celtic name for bear, mathghamhain, is often used in Irish literature, but the 
** According to the recently published Catalogue of the Fossil Mammalia in the British Museum, by 
Mr. R. Lydekker, the oldest title for this species is U. horribilis, Ord.; but U. arctos is regarded by 
him as a distinct species. The Catalogue was first seen by me after the above had been written. 
