122 DE. H, F. STANDING ON SUBFOSSIL 



Lemur majoei (Standing). (Plate XXVIII.) 



One of the series of skulls of the genus Lemur -referred to above is distinguished from 

 all the others by the possession of several characters, no one of which alone perhaps 

 would constitute specific distinction, though the simultaneous occurrence of these 

 comparatively numerous variations in one specimen would seem to justify its reference 

 to a distinct species. It will not be necessary after the description given above of 

 L, jullyi to do more in the present case than point out where this new species differs 

 from the former. 



We may notice first the very voluminous brain-case. Dr. Elliot Smith, who has 

 examined a cast of the cranial cavity of this specimen, estimates the weight of its brain 

 when living at 65 grammes as compared with 33 grammes, the average weight of three 

 specimens of the brain of L. varius. This figure differentiates it from all the other 

 specimens in the collection of the Academie, with the possible exception of one skull. 

 As the teeth of this last specimen are all missing, it is not possible to be certain of its 

 exact position. A second striking feature as compared with the cranium of L. jullyi 

 and also that of L. insignis is the entire absence of crests. That this feature is not 

 due to immaturity is evident from the worn condition of the molars. The large size 

 of the canines would, moreover, indicate that the individual was a male, so that the 

 absence of crests is not merely a sexual variation. 



Not only is there no sagittal crest, but the two superior edges of the area covered by 

 the temporal muscles do not quite meet along the sagittal suture. This is in striking 

 contrast with the skulls of L. jullyi, where this crest is frequently very prominent and 

 much roughened. Apart from this absence of crests the general contour of the 

 skull is not strikingly different from that of L. jullyi, though its greater size is 

 apparent. 



Turning to the dentition three peculiarities are observable. The third premolar 

 differs from the corresponding tooth of L. jullyi by the possession of a well-developed 

 internal collar similar to and almost as strongly marked as that seen in the first and 

 second molars. The second molar, which in all the specimens of L. jullyi has a large 

 antero-external projection overlapping the first molar, is in L. mqjori entirely destitute 

 of this blade-like projection, the tooth presenting the appearance of having had this 

 prominent corner completely filed away. A third feature, which though perhaps 

 hardly by itself of classificatory value, is the fact that the whole series of molars and 

 premolars shows an entire absence of that close overlapping of each tooth by its 

 successor which is a marked character both of L. insignis and L. jullyi. The shape of 

 the palate is intermediate between that of the two species just named. 



The appended tables giving the principal dimensions of the whole series of skulls will 

 in conjunction with the photographic reproductions on Plates XXVII. and XXVIII. 

 preclude the necessity of further detailed description. 



