438 TV. Davies — Neto British Eocene Carnivores. 



We have thus evidence that when this freshwater bed at Hordwell 

 was being deposited, there existed three terrestrial carnivores of 

 fairly large size that preyed on the Anoplotheres, Paloplotheres, 

 Dichodons and other herbivores, and the smaller Microcheeres and 

 rodents (Theridomys) that abounded on the land bordering the old 

 inland lake in which these deposits were laid down. 



The third specimen is also a mutilated skull of an animal a little 

 larger than a Fox from the London-clay at Sheppey (No. 35688). 

 Portions only of the parietals, the maxillae and palatine, and of the 

 pterygoids and presphenoid are present. And like most of the 

 fossils from Sheppey, the specimen is not crushed or distorted, and 

 imperfect as are the parts preserved, as much as remains of each bone 

 retains its natural form and position. 



The most perfect bone is the right maxilla; the teeth are all 

 wanting, only the alveoli of the third premolar, the carnassial and 

 the first molar are shown. The carnassial was a short tooth re- 

 latively to its breadth ; the antero-posterior diameter of the alveoli 

 of the outer fangs being 0*45, whilst the transverse diameter across 

 the alveoli of the posterior and inner fang is 0*4. The anterior 

 margin of the alveolus of the inner fang being in a line with that of 

 the posterior fang in the direction of the transverse diameter of the 

 palate, indicates the triangular form of the tooth. That the first 

 molar was a large and powerful crushing tooth is shown by the size 

 of the alveolus of the fang of the talon. The second molar, if present, 

 must have been very small ; there is no indication of its presence, and 

 from the state of preservation of the posterior portion of the maxilla, 

 it is a question if it possessed one. The posterior palatal foramina 

 are shown, and also the infraorbital foramina just above the carnas- 

 sial alveoli. 



In the absence of the teeth, and the imperfection of the bones, 

 there are no definite characters by which to correlate it to any 

 extinct form, nor to indicate the family to which it should be referred. 

 I therefore propose to name it Argillotherium toliapicum. 



In conclusion, I may observe that during the many years in which 

 I have known and felt an interest in the specimens here described, 

 I have never seen in any private or public collection a fragment of a 

 tooth or bone of a carnivore from Sheppey, except the fragment here 

 noted ; and only a few detached teeth, mostly referable to Hycenodon, 

 from Hordwell. Specimens may be lying hid in private collections, 

 and if such there be, I trust these imperfect notes may have the 

 result of directing attention to them. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE XIV. 



Viverra Saslingsia, Davies, sp. nov. From the Eocene Freshwater Beds of 

 Hordwell, Hampshire. 



Fig. L Outer side view of anterior portion of the head and teeth ; and of the inner 



side of the left mandibular ramus. 

 Fig. 2. Crown view of the upper teeth. 

 Fig. 3. Outer view of the detached portion of right ramus of the lower jaw ; the 



parts wanting are restored in outline. 

 Fig. 4. Crown view of the lower teeth. ' 



