284 



Scientific Intelligence. 



ter across the zygomatic processes ; jugular foramen J inch in diame- 

 ter; temporal bones small, mastoid portion thick and strong but not 

 prominent; articulating cavities for condyles of lower maxillse large, 

 forming about 30° of a circle, inclining inwards and backwards; max- 

 illae thick and strong, vertical section triangular; a cavity for nerves 

 and vessels runs within at the points of the roots of the teeth ; alveo- 

 lar process thick ; palatal bone strong, anteriorly emarginate and hor- 

 izontal, posteriorly descending below the alveolar process. 



Frontal bone and anterior portion of maxillse wanting; walls of the 

 nasal canal smooth ; sutures squamous; in the left maxilla one tooth 

 remains, which is solid, spear-shaped, edges coarsely serrate, exterior 

 side flattened, interior side convex ; agreeing in this respect with the 

 position of the teeth in the shark ; roots double, nearly parallel, and 

 inserted obliquely backwards; in the right maxilla are the alveolae for 

 eight leeth with double roots. In the solidity of the teeth and slight 

 divergency of the roots, this specimen agrees with the figures of Dr. 

 Harlan and Prof. Emmons. 



This fossil is particularly interesting, as it removes every doubt, if 

 any remain, of the true character of the animal to which it belonged. 

 The double occipital condyle shows it to have been a mammal, while 

 the squamous sutures and a symmetrical form refer it to the Cetacea. 



Dimensions 



14Jin.; greatest breadth 7* in.; heighten-. 



in. It was evi 



length of enameled portion of tooth I 

 dently a young individual. 



Geological position.— The teeth described by Dr. Gibbes were 

 in the oldest of the calcareous beds of the eocene of South Carolina, 

 wtncb contain Cardita planicotta and other w^ll-known eocene fossift 



found 



