ri 



34 



MONOOIJAI'IIS OF NORTH AMKIMCAN IfODKNTIA. 



41 



follows: — Tho upper molars have three roots each: a large interior fang, and 

 two smaller exterior iiiiigs, placed side by side; but the anterior of these, in 

 the, fiinl molar, is as large as tiie interior, and stands directly to the front, 

 instead of to tiic outside, while this same tooth also often shows a fourth 

 ,oot — a small one interposed between the two exterior ones. But the under 

 molar roots show us something that may be peculiar — at least, we have not 

 observed it in other genera ; this is, that they have more than two roots apiece, 

 and the disproportion in size of the roots is very ^reat. The front lower 

 molar has four fangs: a moderate anterior fang; an enormous posterior fang; 

 and two little intermediate iangs, placed side by side. Tlie next two under 

 molars have each three roots : two small anterior ones placed side by side, and 

 one enormous posterior fang. The larger tlmgs seem to result from the con- 

 Hucnce of two small ones ; and, in both upper and under teeth, there are some- 

 times minute accessory fangs that do not effect a distinct perforation of the 

 alveolus, and are, therefore, not enumerated. We think it very likely that 

 this mode of rooting may be really charricteristic of Siginodon, but have not 

 ventured to include it in our diagnosis, in our uncertainty as to its permanence, 

 and our ignorance of what, if any, other sections may show the same thing. 

 Tile front upper molar is larger than the other two ; but these are of about the 

 same size, since, contrary to a general rule, tiie back molar does not diminish 

 in l)ulk. All three have externally two deep reentrant lobes, or folds, of 

 enamel, reaching almost across the face of the teeth ; the front upper molar 

 has two similar interior folds ; the otiier two l)ut one such interior loop apiece. 

 In the front molar, the first exterior loop abuts against the second interior 

 loop, or else is received in the space between the first and second interior 

 h)ops; similarly, on the other teeth, the first exterior loop abuts against the 

 only interior loop, while, in all three teeth, the second exterior loop abuts 

 against the postero-internal angle of the general enamel-wall. The abutment 

 of these folds is more or less perfect with different specimens, but, generally, 

 it divides tlie enamel-area into several dentine islands. In the under jaw, 

 likewise, the molars do not decrease in length from before backward, the 

 back molar being as long as the first, and, if anything, even broader; still, 

 the complexity of the crown is much greater on the first than on either of the 

 others. The first lower molar shows three interior and two exterior reentrant 

 folds of enamel, alternating with each other; the apex of each fold is received 

 against the apex of the next succeeding, so that the face of the tootii iu 



II 



