106 



ME. G. BUSK ON THE AJfCIENT OE 



As it was found in the dark cave-earth above the stalagmite floor of the Genista cave, 

 in which one of the astragali was also discovered, it may be probable that the entire 

 fourth metatarsal belonged to the same foot with that bone, although the depths at 

 which they occurred were about 7 feet apart. 



1. The entire third metatarsal (PI. XVI. figs. 1-5) is 6"-7 long; the proximal end 

 measures l"-6xl"'9, and the distal the same. The transverse diameter of the shaft at 

 the middle is l"-&, and at the smallest part l"-6 ; the least circumference is 4"-2, and 

 the perimetral index ■626. The corresponding dimensions in a perfect third metatarsal 

 in the Brady collection (of which an outline figure is given in PI. XI. fig. 2) are 

 almost identically the same — viz. length 6"-7, proximal end l"-7 X V'-9, and the distal 

 l"-6 X l"-9. The width of the shaft at the middle is l"-8, and at the smallest part l"-6, 

 the least circumference 4"-3, and the perimetral index "642. Nor do the bones present 

 any appreciable difference whatever in conformation. 



The corresponding measurements in B. megarhinus, No. 19842, B. M., from Grays, 

 are — length 8"-0, proximal end 2"-5 X — '?, distal l"-9 x 2"-8, transverse diameter of shaft 

 at middle 2"-3, and at the smallest part 2"-l, the least circumference 5"-2, and perimetral 

 index "650. 



The following Table shows the relative dimensions of the third metatarsal in other 

 instances of fossil and recent Rhinoceros; but the above will suffice to show the close 

 resemblance between the Gibraltar metatarsal and that of R. heniitoechus, and at the 

 same time its divergence from the megarhine type : — 



2. The fourth metatarsal, represented in PI. XVII. (figs. 1-5), is quite perfect, and 

 of a fully mature animal, inasmuch as there is no trace whatever of the epiphysial 

 suture. 



