58 Mr. E. E. Lankester on a new Species of Hysena. 



cipated, it being a pretty generally received axiom that the 

 divergence of types increases as we ascend the geological ladder. 

 The tooth from the Red Crag, which is the upper third premolar 

 of the left side, is less produced in proportion to its length and 

 breadth than the corresponding tooth of any of the other spe- 

 cies I have been able to examine. The anteroposterior measure- 

 ment is also proportionately larger than in other species. The 

 ^^cingulum" is slightly developed all round the base of the 

 crown, and posteriorly is enlarged into a very conspicuous ridge, 

 as in H. spelcea, but this does not abut against the central cusp. 

 Between the "cingulum" and cusp a small tubercle exists, 

 which would therefore approximate it to the H. striata type. 

 No anterior tubercle exists, as there does in H. striata, but the 

 "cingulum^^ is shghtly enlarged (figs. 5, 6, 7). 



There appears to be no description of any species of Hyana 

 corresponding with the characters of this tooth, the specimens 

 from the older Continental beds being, as far as I am able to 

 judge, very different, if M. de Blainville's memoir may be relied 

 on. I therefore, for the sake of perspicuity and convenience, 

 propose to call this species Hymna antiqua, provisionally. If at 

 any time further material should identify it with any known 

 species, my name must be rescinded. It rests on facts quite as 

 characteristic and distinctive as does the Felis pardoides of Owen, 

 of which we still require further evidence before affirming it 

 positively to be distinct from the Felis antediluviana of Kaup, 

 from the Miocene of Germany. 



The following is the arrangement of species of Hyema given 

 by M. de Blainville, in which I have inserted the new Crag 

 form : — 



Hyaena striata, Zimmerm. India (living). 



Syn. H. vulgaris. H. Sivalensis? 

 H. prisca, De Serres. Caverns of Lunel-Viel. 



Syn. H. Monspessulana, Christol. 

 H. arvernensis, Croizet ^ Johert. Auvergne. 

 H. fusca, Thunb. Cape (living). 

 H. Perrieri, Croizet ^ Johert, Auvergne. 

 H. intermedia, De Serres. Lunel-Viel. 

 H. spelsea, Goldfuss. France, England, &c. 

 H. crocuta, Bodd. Cape (living). 

 H. antiqua, Lankester. Felixstowe, Suffolk (Red Crag). 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE VIII. 



Fig. \. Upper third premolar tooth (left side) of Hycena crocuta, Bodd. 

 Fig. 2. Ditto of Hycena speleea, Goldfuss, From Kent's Hole. 

 Fig. 3. Ditto of Hyana arvernensis, Croizet & Jobert. Auvergne. 



