SIVATHERIUM GIGANTEUM. 



263 



metrical with the others, and separated from them by being 

 placed in the middle of the diasteme, this ratio does not hold, 

 the space from the first molar to the margin of the incisive s 

 being less than the line of molars. In the Sivatherium the 

 molars are in a contiguous series, and if on this analogy 

 we deduce the length of the muzzle we get nearly ten inches 

 for the space from the first molar to the point of the incisives, 

 and 28*85 inches for the whole length of the head from the 

 border of the occipital foramen to the margin of the incisives ; 

 these dimensions may be a little excessive, but we believe 

 them not to be far out, as the muzzle would still be short for 

 the width of the face in a ruminant. 



The orbits next come to be considered. The size and posi- 

 tion of the eye form a distinguishing featui-e between the 

 Euminantia and the Pachydermata. In the former it is large 

 and full, in the latter smaller and sunken, and the expression 

 of the face is more heavy in consequence. In the Sivathe- 

 rium the orbit is considerably smaller in proportion to the 

 size of the head than in existing ruminants. It is also 

 placed more forward in the face, and lower under the level of 

 the brow. The rim is not raised and prominent as in the 

 Euminantia and the plane of it is oblique, the interval be- 

 tween the orbits at their upper margin being 12 '2 inches, and 

 at the lower 16*2 inches. The longitudinal diameter exceeds 

 the vertical in the ratio of five to four nearly, the long axis 

 being nearly in a line from the naso-maxillary sinus across 

 the limb of the zygomatic arch. From the above we infer 

 that the eye was smaller and less prominent than in existing 

 ruminants ; and that the expression of the face was heavier 

 and more ignoble, although less so than in the Pachydermata, 

 excepting the horse ; also that the direction of vision was 

 ■ considerably forwards as well as lateral, and that it was cut 

 oft' towards the rear. 



This closes what we have been led to infer regarding the 

 organs of the head. With respect to the rest of the skeleton 

 we have nothing to offer, as we are not at present possessed 

 of any other remains which we can with certainty refer to 

 the Sivatherium.' Among a quantity of bones^ collected 

 from the same neighbourhood with the fossil head, there are 

 three singularly perfect specimens of the lower portions of the 

 extremities of a large ruminant, belonging to three legs 



• See Appendix, Nos. II. and III. — 

 [Ed.] 



^ We note here a very perfect cervical 

 vertebra of a ruminant in our posses- 

 sion, which must liave belonged to an 

 animal of proportions equal to that of 

 the Sivatherium ; but from certain cha- 



racters we are inclined to suspect that it 

 is allied to some other gigantic species 

 of Euminant, of the existence of which 

 we have already a tolerable certainty. 

 Of the existence of the Elk, and a 

 species of Camelidcs, Lieut. Baker, of the 

 Engineers, has shown us ample proof. 



