Miscellaneous. 397 



large Pachydermata very analogous to one of the most remarkable 

 African species ; in fact numerous remains of a peculiar species of 

 the genus IJippopotamus have just been discovered there. 



It was by digging in a marshy soil at Amboulitsate, on the western 

 side of Madagascar, that M. Grandidier ascertained this important 

 fact. He found the remains of about fifty Hippopotami, mixed with 

 bones of yEpi/ornis and other animals of extinct species. 



The subfossil Hippopotamus of Madagascar, which M. Grandidier 

 has inscribed in our zoological catalogues under the name of Hippo- 

 potamus Lemerlei, is much smaller than Hippopotamus amphibius; 

 and, both as regards its size and in several osteological peculiarities, 

 it appears to me to approach closely to the Liberian Choeropsis. 

 The following are the details which M. Grandidier has just sent me 

 with regard to this curious pachyderm : — 



'• The little Hippojwtamus of Madagascar is distinguished from its 

 African congener (//. aiiiphihius) by its much smaller size, and by 

 the conformation of its orbits, which are less prominent laterally 

 and rise but httle above the forehead. The postorbital and jugal 

 apophyses are short, and leave more than one-sixth of the orbital 

 ring open ; the jugal is more elongated and less prominent outwards 

 than in the common Hippopotamus. The lacrymal bone is more 

 developed in proportion, and less narrowed towards the orbital mar- 

 gin ; the posterior surface of the cranium is concave, in consequence 

 of the projection of the occipital crest, which is short and continuous 

 with a tolerably thick and slightly concave sagittal suture ; the 

 angle of the arch which roofs the orbit is acute, and the median part 

 of the cranium forms a pretty regular lozenge ; the nasal bones are 

 scarcely dilated at their extremity, and the palatines are vers* nar- 

 row ; the vertebral aperture of the atlas is divided by an interior 

 semicircular ring, concentric with the superior arch of this vertebra. 

 The odontoid apophysis of the axis is pointed, and presents an arti- 

 cular facet beneath ; the spinous apophysis of the same vertebra is 

 tolerably prominent. The ulna is, as usual, soldered to the radius, 

 from which it is distinguished by a furrow perforated at each end : 

 the two bones are much depressed. The pelvis is but slightly de- 

 veloped'"*. 



• The following are the measurements given by M, Grandidier of the 

 principal bones of this Hippopotamus : — 



Length of various heads, several of which belong to adult '"'"'■'e- 



individuals 0-31o-0-4U 



Length of the upper jaw to the level of the second molars 006-007 



Distance of the postorbital processes of the frontal 0'21 



Distance of the tuberosities from which the lower canines 



spring 0'22 



Miniuium length of the lower jaw 0'15 



Length of a fragment of niaxillaries of a very young indi- 

 vidual (from the last molar to tlie canine, which is be- 

 ginning to appear) O'llo 



■ Total length of the femur 0-23 



Ann. d: Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 4. Vol. iii. 30 



