246 FOSSIL ELK OP IRELAND 



of all the fossil ruminating animals. It is most certain- 

 ly a different species from any of those that at present 

 live on the earth's surface, and may therefore be con- 

 sidered as extinct. It was first found in Ireland, where 

 it generally occurs in shell marl and in peat bogs. It has 

 also been found in superficial alluvial soil in England, 

 Germany, and France. 



In Plate II. we have given a drawing of the head and 

 horns of this animal. It was dug out of a marl-pit at 

 Dardistoun, near Drogheda, in Ireland. Dr. Molyneux, 

 in the Philosophical Transactions, informs us that its di- 

 mensions were as follows : 



Feet. Inches, 



From the extreme tip of each horn, - a. b. 1010 



From the tip of the right horn to its 



root, - c. d. 52 



From the tip of one of the inner branches 



to the tip of the opposite branch, - e. f. 3 7% 



The length of one of the palms, within 

 the branches, - - g. h. 2 6 



The breadth of the palm, within the 



branches, - i. k. 1 10J 



The length of the right brow antler, - d. 1. 12 



The beam of each horn, at some distance 

 from the head, in diameter, - m. 2{s 



in circumference, - 8 



The beam of each horn, at its root, in 

 circumference, - d. 11 



The length of the head, from the back 

 of the skull to the extremity ofthe up- 

 per jaw, r " - n. o. 2 



Breadth of the skull, - * - p. q. I 



