176 Dr. Gerard Krefft on a Cuvierian 



second and third one. All these teeth vary considerably, and 

 indicate several distinct species ; the canines are as irregular 

 in their structure, and lead to the same conclusion. The short 

 functionless first and second premolars (e,./) do not indicate 

 great carnivorous propensities, and they are not near so for- 

 midable-looking as those of our phalangers. 



I mentioned before that the upper canine stands far back 

 into the palate, and is often completely covered by its neigh- 

 bours. With regard to the third premolar {g), Owen's " c^r- 

 nassial tooth," it will be found, in form, position, and function, 

 to be identical with the third premolar in the common Phalan- 

 gista vuJpinaj in Cuscus macidatus, and in other more or less 

 carnivorous phalangers. This tooth is often worn in a far 

 greater degree than Professor Owen imagines ; and specimens 

 now in his hands will sufficiently prove it. No " formidable 

 carnivore " would be able to make an impression on " hide and 

 flesh " with such " grindstones :" I have no more appropriate 

 word to offer when describing the worn condition of some of 

 the many specimens examined by me. The upper first and 

 only molar (PI. XII. fig. 20) is a shallow-rooted, distorted, flat, 

 rugged tooth, with a depression in the middle, and evidently 

 designed for grinding or crushing, never for lacerating flesh. 



Looking at Professor Owen's figure on plate xiv. (Phil. 

 Trans. 1871), I notice the old tendency to make the animal as 

 carnivorous as possible. The first upper incisor has the form 

 of a " parrot's beak," and is probably not quite true to nature ; 

 the indicated second incisor is far too small ; and the tooth 

 which he terms a " canine " is out of shape and out of place 

 where Professor Owen has put it. The upper front teeth of 

 a Thylacoleo are closely packed, there is not a line of space 

 between them ; the canine is perfectly crowded out, and stands 

 back into the palate, as Professor Owen's drawing plainly 

 shows; but he will call this real undoubted "canine" the 

 " first premolar," and I shall say no more. 



Description of the lower jaw (PI. XI. fig. 1) : — This part settles 

 all our disputed points, and turns the supposed " lion " into a 

 leaf-eating phalanger. The front view of it, given on plate xiii. 

 fig. 3, is too broad ; the incisors should not close together at 

 the tip, but remain considerably parted, as their marks against 

 the second pair of premolars clearly indicate. Professor Owen 

 says, to illustrate the power of these weak incisors (p. 228) : — 

 " Were a pair of bayonets cemented side by side, and the force 

 of two brawny arms concentrated on the thrust, their perfora- 

 ting and lethal power would be increased." The Professor is 

 right enough in his conclusion ; but his premises are wrong. 

 The flat lower incisor teeth of our animal (PI. XI. fig. l,a, 



