FROM THE KARROO BEDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 659 



Baixia tigriceps (Owen), gen. n. 



One of the first species of Dicynodon to be described by Owen 

 was Dicynodon tigricej^s. This is represented in the British 

 Mnseuni by a very fine sknll, said to have come from " Gonzia 

 River, Kaffraria." In genei'al appearance it differs very con- 

 siderably from the typical Dicynodon as rejaresented by D. lacer- 

 ticeps. The sknll is massive and extremely broad and flat, and 

 the parietal region differs in that the parietals are well developed 

 and not covered by the postorbitals. The genus Dicynodon is so 

 large that it would be convenient if we could lop off a few species 

 and put them into a subgenus, even if the differentiating charac- 

 ters did not seem of very fundamental importance. But there 

 is another character that is of great importance. I know of nine 

 skulls which belong either to Dicynodon tigricejJs or closely-allied 

 species, and all have tusks. It is therefore very highly probal^le 

 that the female of Dicynodon tigricejjs was tusked, and not like 

 the female Dicynodon — tuskless. And if this be so, Dicynodon 

 tigricejys must be placed in a distinct genus. It is, of course, 

 impossible to prove that the female was tusked, and even if 

 50 tusked skulls Avere found there would still be a doubt. As 

 it is, I think the probability sufiiciently great to make for it a 

 new genus, Bccinia, after the fatliei' of South African geology, 

 Andrus Geddes Bain — one of the most gifted geological geniuses 

 the v/orld has seen. Even if a tuskless female should turn up, 

 Bainia must still stand as a subgenus. 



Bainia peavoti, sp. n. (Text-fig. 37.) 



This new species is founded on a very fine skull discovered by 

 me at Biesjespoort. The skull is well preserved and not much 

 crushed. One zygomatic arch is lost, also part of the base and the 

 lower jaw. Though very similar in size to Bainia tiginceps, it 

 differs in many important features ; and as it is manifestly a new 

 species, I have much pleasure in naming it after the late Henry 

 G. Peavot, who for some years was the Zoological Societv's 

 Librarian and Clerk of Publications, and whose care and kindly 

 help all workers so fully appreciated. It is a delight to be able 

 to add a stone to the cairn of a fellow-worker and friend who laid 

 down his life on the battlefield. 



The skull is of special val\ie in that all the sutures can be made 

 out with perfect distinctness. In general shape it agrees more 

 closely with B. tigriceps than with B. laticeps, but differs in the 

 shape of the zygomatic arch and in many other details which 

 will be mentioned. The snout and the whole front half of the 

 skull is much flatter than in any other known Anomodont. 



The premaxilla, which is nearly complete, is relatively small 

 and unusually flat, ' 



The nasals are short but vexy broad, and have each a well- 

 developed boss which overliangs the nostril. The suture with 

 the frontals and prefrontals is neai'ly transverse. 



