1889.] ON A NEW SPECIES OF HYRACODONTOTHERIUM. 67 



3. On an apparently new Species of Hyracodontotlierium^ . 

 By R. Lydekker, B.A.., F.Z.S., F.G.S., &c. 



[Eeceived January 26, 1889.] 



In 1877 Dr. H. FilhoP described and figured the left half of the 

 palate of a comparatively small Ungulate under the name of Hyrnco- 

 do7itotlierinm ^ primcevum, the specimen having been obtained from 

 the Upper Eocene (Lower Oligocene) Phosphorites of Central France. 

 This specimen showed the typical Eutherian dental formula, the 

 last two incisors and the third and fourth premolars being, however, 

 represented only by their alveoli. The chief features connected 

 with the dentition are, firstly, that the incisors are placed nearly in 

 the same antero-posterior line, after the fashion of those of a Pig, 

 and that the first incisor is a comparatively large tooth, much curved, 

 and with a convex anterior and a flattened posterior surface. This 

 tooth presents, indeed, a decided resemblance to that of Hyrax. 

 There is no diastema behind the third incisor, and the canine is a 

 small trenchant tooth, not unlike the last incisor. The anterior pre- 

 molars have elongated, subtrenchant crowns, while the alveolus of 

 the fourth premolar indicates the crown of that tooth to have 

 been triangular and of simpler structure than the true molars. The 

 latter are of a lophodont type, recalling those of the Perissodactylate 

 genus Chalicotlierium. 



In his description Dr. Filhol made no attempt to determine the 

 serial position of this peculiar genus, merely remarking that it ap- 

 peared to show certain resemblances to Anoplotherium and Hyrax. 

 In 1886 Dr. M. Schlosser * stated that Hyracodontotherium was 

 evidently closely allied to the N.- American Eocene genus Menisco- 

 therium, and inclined to the opinion that both were allied to Chalico- 

 therium, although the entepicondylar foramen in the humerus of 

 the American genus indicated affinity with the typical Condylarthra 

 of Prof. Cope. By the latter writer" Meniscotherium is indeed 

 made the type of a family of Condylarthra characterized by its 

 S| ecialized lophodont dentition. 



So far as I am aware the above constitutes the literature of 

 Hyracodontotherium. 



Hyracodontotherium filholi, d. sp. 



During last year the Natural History Museum acquired by purchase 

 the specimen represented in the accompanying figure (p. 68), which 

 was obtained from the Phosphorites of Bach, near Lalbenque, Lot, 

 and evidently belongs to Hyracodontotherium. The specimen com- 

 prises a considerable part of the left half of the palato-facial region 



^ The name was published as Hyracodonthermm, which should clearly bo 

 amended as above. 



^ Ann. Sci. Geol. vol. viii. art. 1, p. 1.53, pi. siii. figs. 283, 284. 



^ The plate is erroneously lettered Hyracodon. 



* Morphol. Jahrb. vol. sii. j). 21. 



5 Eep. U.S. Geol. Surv. Terr. vol. iv. p. 493 (1S84). 



5* 



