304 TAPIROIDA. 



individual ; for the posterior surface of the anterior ridge 

 of the last molar tooth has been slightly abraded by masti- 

 cation, and the extent of the fractured jaw behind it 

 proves that there existed no other alveolus posteriorly ; 

 but that the perfect tooth in situ is the true ultimate 

 molar. From the above described characters of this tooth, 

 we may infer that the whole dental series of the extinct, 

 eocene Pachyderm offered modifications of the Lophiodont 

 type of dentition which led towards that of the Anthra- 

 cotheria, more especially of the smaller species from Ga- 

 ronne and Velary. 



From the closer resemblance which the fossil presents to 

 the true Lophiodons, it must be regarded as a member of 

 the same family of tapiroid Pachyderms ; indicating 

 therein a distinct subgenus, characterised by the want of 

 parallelism of the two principal transverse ridges, and by 

 the rudimental state of the posterior talon in the last molar 

 tooth of the lower jaw. The name Coryphodon, which I 

 have proposed for this subgenus, is derived from K0%v$n 

 a point, and oboug a tooth, and is significative of the. deve- 

 lopment of the angles of the ridges into points. The 

 broad, ridged, and pointed grinding surface of the tooth 

 indicates its adaptation to comminute the coarser kinds of 

 vegetable substances ; and it is very probable that the 

 habits and food of the Tapir, which is the nearest existing 

 analogue of the Coryphodon, are not very dissimilar from 

 those which characterised of old the present extinct spe- 

 cies and the true Lophiodons. 



The American Tapir is described as " passing a solitary 

 existence, buried in the depths of the forests and never 

 associating with its fellows ; but flying from society and 

 avoiding as much as possible the neighbourhood of man. 

 It rarely stirs abroad from its retreat during the day, 



