80 DR. H. P. STANDING ON SUBFOSSIL 



projecting wing of the premaxilla (text-fig. 11). The two bones together form an 

 extraordinary snout-like convexity, the smooth inner surface of which is continuous 

 with the walls of the nasal fossae. The outer surface of these nasal convexities is 



Test-f5^. 11. 



/imx. 



hTTlX. 



Muzzle of Pcikeopropitliecus maximus, showing upwardly extending wings of jiremaxilloa 

 fused to anterior borders of nasals. 



roughened as though for the attachment of some epidermal excrescence. The anterior 

 contour of the narial opening thus formed is heart-shaped as viewed from the front. 



In old animals the premaxillse are fused along the median line of the palate almost 

 to the alveolar margin, though frequently a small lacuna is left unjoined in front of 

 the anterior palatine foramina. The premaxillse are thus more strongly developed 

 than the corresponding bones of the extant members of the subfamily. Correlated 

 with this condition of the premaxillse the median incisors have had a more vertical 

 position and have been stouter and stronger teeth proportionately than in Indris. 



The Temporal Region. — The zygomatic process of the malar has a smaller backward 

 extension than in Proj^iY/jectts (text-fig 13). The squamosal element, on the other hand, 

 almost reaches the posterior margin of the flattened vertical wall below the orbit. 

 The zygomata are proportionately stronger and higher and more outwardly curved than 

 in the extant Indrisinse. Each arch is attached to the vertical plate of the squamosal 

 by a broad horizontal shelf of bone which extends forward almost to the temporo- 

 sphenoidal suture. The presence of this horizontal plate combined with the con- 

 striction of the postorbital frontal region gives to the temporal fossa at this level 

 an almost circular horizontal section (Plate XIIL). The massive lower jaw and widely 

 extended mandibular alae were evidently associated with very powerful temporal 

 muscles. 



The temporal region of Palceo^propithecus has already been referred to as possessing 

 one feature of considerable interest, namely, the absence of the inflated auditory bullae 

 which are so prominent and characteristic a feature of the Lemurs (Plates X. & XIV.). 

 This fact is the more interesting as it is associated in Pakeojjrojntheciis with the 

 possession of an external auditory meatus of considerable length. The tympanic bone 



