164 FELID^E. 



mined, if possible, in the Continental specimens of the 

 skulls of the Fells spel&a. If the nasal processes of the 

 superior maxillary bones do not extend as far backwards 

 as the nasal bones, it may be concluded that the species 

 was not a Lion ; but, as the shorter processes of the supe- 

 rior maxillary bones are present in the skull of the Jaguar 

 and Leopard, as well as the Tiger, the approximation of 



^^^ 



the fossil to the striped or the spotted species of the genus 

 Felis will depend upon other characters. 



The most characteristic British fossil of the great spe- 

 Isean Tiger, as it will, for convenience" 1 sake, be here termed, 

 is a considerable proportion of the right upper jaw, with 

 the external incisor, the canine, and the second and third 

 premolars in situ ; the first and the tubercular molar being 

 lost ; fig. 63. The length of the fragment is six inches ; the 

 length of the canine tooth is five inches ; the circumference 

 of the base of its crown three inches and a half. These di- 

 mensions equal those of the same parts in the largest African 

 Lion or Bengal Tiger ; but it would seem, both from Conti- 

 nental fossils, and some that have been found in British 

 fresh-water strata, that the spelaean Tiger had more power- 

 ful limbs and larger paws, as will be perceived from the 

 following table of admeasurements. 



Felis speltfa. Felis tigris. 



In. Lines. In. Lines. 



Length of the first left metacarpal bone 46 39 



first left metatarsal bone 53 43 



second left metatarsal bone 59 46 



third left metatarsal bone 60 47 



fourth left metatarsal bone 56 41 

 proximal phalanx of the second toe 



left hind- foot 25 110 



The teeth of the Felis spelaa, which Dr. Buckland 

 determines among the fossils of the Kirkdale cave, ex- 

 ceeded in size those of the largest Lion or Bengal Tiger, 

 but not in the same degree as the bones of the feet ; nor 



