I> 



Tin: CHKMTSTKV OK KUSSIl. HONK. H3' .1. Aiuni.L (^amphkij,. 

 Singapore. (From the Departments of {Miysiology of the Uni- 

 versity of Kdinbui-crli aiui of tlir Medical College, Singaporr.) 



{Received j'oi i>iMiciition 3IW Auijust 19lf). ) 



This reaearcli. suggested by Sii- Edward Scliafer, from wluun the material 

 was received, gives the results of analysis of three specimens of fossil bones 

 — one human, one extinct marsupial, and one pinniped. 



The first bone, a right humerus from a prehistoric man. was received in 

 January 191o. It was found near Nortii Berwick, and was well pieserved 

 and entire, its brownish-red colour being due probably to the soil in which 

 the bone had been embedded. 



The second bone, a portion of a rib of Diprotodon, found at Kings- 

 thorpe, Darling Downs, Queensland, was received in September 1{)14. This 

 specimen appeared petrified throughout. 



The third specimen consisted of two fossil seal bones, a right scapula 

 and a left astragalus, from a young animal. They were taken from the 

 Portobello clay by Dr Gordon. Professor of Geology. King's College, 

 University of London, and received by me in January 191 (). well preserved 

 and entire, possessing in some degree the moist, shining apj)earance and the 

 great toughness of recently cleaned bones. 



Since geological measurements of time are not definite, nothing can be 

 said regarding the age of these bones beyond the fact that they are prob- 

 ably all many thousands of years old. The humerus belongs to the 

 Prehistoric or Post-glacial epoch, and the specimens of seal bones must be 

 referred to the same period, the clay in which they occurred belonging to 

 the age of the 100-feet beach. ^ Diprotodon was a large marsupial, attaining 

 the bulk of a rhinoceros or hippopotamus, and inhabiting Australia dui-ing 

 the Pleistocene period. 



The analysis of the humerus was carried out in the Physiology Depart- 

 ment, University of Edinburgh, the other specimens being analysed in 

 the Government Analyst's Department, Singapore. Two different portions, 

 A and B, of the shaft of the humei-us were examined .separately, A being 

 taken from the middle of the bone, B from nearer one extremity. The rib 

 bone was also divided into two portions, A and B. 



' Geological Survey, Memoirs of the Edinburgh District, p. .33.'). This information was 

 .supplied by Profes-sor Gordon. 



VOL. XL, NO. 2. — 1917. 9 



