Kangaroos, and the Kangaroo-rats were well represented. 
Of the genera now unrepresented Difrotodon was one of 
the largest ; it was the size of the biggest existing Rhino- 
ceros ; only one species is known. Excepting the skull 
the bones are not well known, the feet and several other 
parts not having been obtained. There was a strong de- 
scending process from the zygoma. The dental formula 
is represented thus : i. 3. C =m. 4 The middle an- 
terior incisors and those of the lower jaw closely resemble 
those of the Rodentia on a large scale; they grew from 
persistent pulps. The upper lateral incisors were small 
and had closed roots. Between them and the molars 
there was a gap. The molars were double crested, with 
four roots in the upper and two in the lower. Its denti- 
tion allies it with the Kangaroo, but from the bones that 
are known it is probable that its proportions were more 
that of the Wombat, the femur being longer than the 
tibia, and of the same length as the humerus. The femur 
was singularly compressed. Another genus, Vofotherium, 
was still more extraordinary; it was first supposed to have 
no lower incisors, but this was subsequently proved to be 
incorrect. Mr. Macleay, after Prof. Owen’s description 
of the genus from lower jaws only, obtained upper jaws 
of an animal, called by him Zygomaturus. Prof. Owen 
stated, and apparently with very good reason, that this 
was nothing but the upper part of the skull of his /Vofo- 
therium. Inthis genus the zygoma is enormous in all 
directions and at the extreme anterior root has a descend- 
ing process, Its dental formula is i. 3. aoe. m, = re- 
oO 
sembling Diprotodon, except that the incisors in upper 
and lower jaws are all rooted. Three species have been 
described, and no bones of the body have been found. 
In the museum of the College there is an astragalus, very 
Wombat-like, and also an atlas which agree well in size 
with what would have been expected in such an animal, 
which for other reasons was probably intermediate be- 
tween the Kangaroos and Wombats. 
Thylacoles is the last of these extinct marsupials ; 
none of the bones, except of the head, have been 
found ; the zygoma and the angle of the lower jaw are still 
unknown. As far as can be determined, it apparently ap- 
proaches nearesttothe koala, The teethare quite peculiarto 
I 3 I 
a be = We 
The incisors in both jaws are much as in the pha- 
langers, the median being large and with closed roots. 
Then follow two small lateral teeth in the upper jaw, be- 
hind and z#zernal to which is an almost hidden canine, 
partly covered posteriorly by two small premolars. The 
characteristic tooth, an enormous elongated and flattened 
last premolar comes next. This peculiar tooth is evi- 
dently that which replaces the only one lost in this class 
of animals, and which is always large, particularly in the 
kangaroo-rats, Internal to the posterior border of this 
tooth the minute true molar stands, just as in the cats. In 
_ the lower jaw two rudimentary teeth are sometimes pre- 
sent, followed by the peculiar large premolar, and that by 
two small molars. The muzzle was blunter than in most 
existing diprotodonts. The stunting of the molars is 
correlative with the great development of the extraordinary 
premolar undoubtedly. Prof. Gervais has taken a cast of 
the interior of the skull, and considers that the brain ap- 
proaches the wombat most nearly. Prof. Owen originated 
and still strongly supports the idea that Z/y/acoles “was 
one of the fellest and most destructive of predatory 
beasts.” Mr. Krefft, of Sydney, was the first to call his 
opinion in question, and he gave a conjectural restoration 
of the then unknown anterior part of the skull and incisor 
teeth, which subsequent discoveries have in great measure 
confirmed. No doubt its nearest alliances are with the 
phalangers and kangaroos, which are neither of them 
carnivorous, In the carnivorous marsupials, as in the 
Ean e 
the genus; the dental formula is re Cc. 
i) pay oes ees Eee RCT ee ee eee ee A 
Pete +% cs § : y ; . > 
Mar. 6, 1873) NATURE | 349 
cats, the canines are large and the incisors small. It is 
probable that the uniqueness of the dentition indicates a 
peculiar diet, perhaps some form of food, of a vegetable 
nature, which has disappeared, as has its consumer. Claws 
have been found, probably of this animal; they closely 
resemble those of the phalangers. 
NOTES 
Dr. Desus has been appointed Professor of Chemistry at the 
new Naval College. 
Ir is rumoured that Prof. James Thomson of Belfast wil 
succeed to the Chair of Engineering at Glasgow University? 
vacant by the death of Prof. Macquorn Rankine. 
Sir Joun Luszock will, to-night, at half-past eight, lay 
before the Society of Antiquaries the results of his researches 
during a tour last autumn respecting the site of Troy. 
ACCORDING to a Berlin telegram, another coal-field of appa- 
rently gigantic dimensions has been discovered in Central Asia— 
the Chodshent district, near Sir Darya. 
THE Zimes understands that an intense magneto-electric light 
and an exceedingly powerful gaslight will shortly be exhibited 
machine moved by steam power, which a high authority in this 
simultaneously on the north and west sides of the upper part of the 
Westminster Clock Tower. Thecurrentin the former willbe gene- 
rated by a comparatively novel and remarkable magneto-electric 
country pronounces to be a decided step in advance of every 
otl er machine of the kind. The latter is in operation at various 
lighthouses on the Irish coast, and may in favourable weather be 
seen at the distance of twenty-five miles. The exhibitors have 
proposed that the trial shall be made at their own cost, except 
in very trifling particulars. 
WE learn with regret that Mr. J. Glaisher, F.R.S., has re- 
signed the secretaryship of the Meteorological Society, an office 
which he has held continuously (except during his presidency) 
from the foundation of the society, of which he was one of the 
earliest promoters, in 1850. 
THE Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge has appointed Prof. 
Tait, of Edinburgh University, Rede Lecturer for the ensuing 
year. Prof. Tait will deliver his lecture in the Easter term. 
AN influential committee has been formed at Cambridge of 
members of the University and others for the purpose of having 
a portrait of Prof. Cayley painted and presented to Trinity Col- 
lege. A considerable portion of the sum required has been 
already promised. The portrait, which is being painted by Mr. 
Lowes Dickenson, is of the same size as that of Sir William 
Thomson, by the same artist, that has been recently placed 
in. the Combination Room of St. Peter’s College. The 
movement is supported by all members of the University, 
irrespective of college, and other admirers of Prof. Cayley’s 
mathematical discoveries; the only reason for the presen- 
tation of the portrait to Trinity (the professor’s own) 
College being that there is no public building in the 
University appropriate for the reception of portraits of dis- 
tinguished members ofthe University. Everyone will be pleased 
at the compliment which will thus be paid to the most illustrious 
English mathematician of the age. Subscriptions may be sent 
to the treasurer, William Walton, Esq., Trinity Hall. 
Ar the Annual Meeting of the Geological Society on Febru- 
ary 21, the Wollaston Gold Medal was awarded to Sir Philip 
de Malpas Grey-Egerton, Bart., F.R.S.; the balance of the pro- 
ceeds of the Wollaston Donation Fund to Mr. J. W. Judd, 
F.G.S.; the Murchison Medal_to Mr. William Davies, of the 
British Museum; and the balance of the Murchison Fund to Prof, 
' Oswald Heer of Zitich, 
