310 Mr. R. Etheiidge, Jnr., on 



fossiliferous deposit in Australia. The shape of the ungual 

 phalanges in Kangaroos and Wombats is known. The ungual 

 phalanges ('Extinct Mammals/ pi. x. figs. 11-14) are too 

 small for Nototherium and Diprotodon, if even one were to 

 entertain the idea of those huge Marsupial Herbivora having 

 had sheathed, compressed, decurved, pointed claws like those 

 which the phalanges in question plainly bore. These 

 phalanges are as much too large for the Thylacinus and 

 Sarcophilus *. But there is no other associated Carnivore 

 corresponding in size with that of the animal indicated by 

 them, save the Thylacoleo" 



Krefft for the fourth time published his name and had 

 figures prepared, the latter having a curious history. It 

 appears that Owen, in 1867, proposed to the New South 

 Wales Government " a careful and systematic exploration 

 of the limestone caves of Wellington Valley," no doubt led 

 thereto by his recollection of the discoveries made at Wel- 

 lington by his old friend the Surveyor-General (Sir Thomas 

 Livingstone Mitchell). This suggestion was adopted, and 

 Krefft was placed in charge of the work; ultimately added 

 to it was a similar exploration of the " Rivers of New South 

 Wales. " This exploration dawdled on until the early part 

 of 1882, long after Krefft had ceased his connection there- 

 with. A full account of all that took place during these 

 fifteen years will be found in the N.S. Wales ' Votes and 

 Proceedings ' t, under the title, " Exploration of the Caves 

 and Rivers of New South Wales (Minutes, Reports, Corre- 

 spondence, Accounts) ." The only portions of any scientific 

 value are the reports of Messrs. Thomson and Krefft. In 

 the latter' s principal report, dated May 1870, the following 

 appeared : — 



" Order ? 



" Mylodon? australis (Krefft). 



" A distal or ungual phalanx of some unknown animal, 

 resembling the same bone of a Myludon (the distal phalanx 

 of the pollex). 



" The specimen referred to is quite unique, and proves 

 the existence in Australia of a large sloth not unlike the 



* Owen, Phil. Trans. 1871, pt. i. pp. 262-63, pi. xiii. figs. 11-14. It 

 may be -well to state at once, and definitely, that Owen's " ungual 

 phalanges " comprised two entirely difierent types of nail-bones ; this 

 will be made abundantly clear in the sequel. 



f Krefr't, ' Votes and Proceedings,' v. 1882, pp. 551-602 (pis. 14 num- 

 bered and 17 unnumbered). 



