185/.] FALCONER — PLAGIAULAX. 261 



2. Description of Two Species of the Fossil Mammalian Genus 

 Plagiaulax fro7n Purbeck. By H. Falconer, M.D., 

 F.R.S., F.G.S. 



Until very lately, the only fossil mammifer known to science from 

 the Upper Oolite beds (Purbeck series) was the Spalacotherivm tri- 

 cuspidens of Professor Owen, a small insectivorous form referred by 

 him, with some reserve, to the placental series*. It was discovered 

 by Mr. W. R. Brodie in one of the so-called "Dirt-beds" of Diirdlestone 

 Bay, Purbeck. That meritorious collector continued his researches 

 during the years 1855-56, and had the good fortune to discover 

 some other mammalian remains, which were transmitted to London 

 about the end of last December for description by Professor Owen. 

 They were all found in what is called the " Dirt-bed " No. 93, of 

 Austen's " Guide." Before these remains had reached London, Mr. 

 Samuel H. Beckles, so favourably known from his researches in Sussex 

 and the Isle of AVight, after free communication with Sir Charles 

 Lyell about the importance of a close and sustained search for mam- 

 malian remains at Purbeck, proceeded to Swanage for the express pur- 

 pose of carrying it out. Before a fortnight had elapsed, Mr. Beckles, 

 by a series of well-directed excavations, had discovered several mam- 

 malian jaws besides numerous reptilian remains, in the '' Dirt- 

 bed" No. 93. When the first line of section ceased to be pro- 

 ductive, or could no longer be worked, he opened new ground, under 

 difficulties which would have damped the ardour of a less earnest 

 inquirer. The labours of Mr. Beckles have been crowned with the 

 success which they deserved. He has discovered a large number 

 of mammal remains, many of which are new, and in very fine pre- 

 servation. The united acquisitions of Messrs. Brodie and Beckles 

 have already attained the important figure of about thirty mamma- 

 lian jaws, more or less complete, the majority of them lower, but 

 two, at least, upper jaws, with one well-pronounced cranium. The 

 most important portion of these are the discovery of Mr. Beckles. 



The explorations have been conducted under a conjunction of un- 

 usually favourable circumstances. Sir Charles Lyell gave his sage and 

 long-experienced advice with the deep interest in the case which befits 

 the author of the * Principles of Geology ;' Professor Owen aided the 

 good cause by keeping Mr. Beckles advised of the importance of the 

 additions which he was making to Palaeontology ; and, having had the 

 leisure, from confinement to my rooms by indisposition, to examine 

 the objects as they were successively discovered and forwarded to 

 me, I was enabled to communicate to INIr. Beckles, constantly, an 

 approximative opinion as to the nature of each fresh acquisition, and 

 thus encourage him to persevere. From his correspondence, apart 

 from the results, I can bear testim.ony to the rare zeal, minute care, 

 and admirable vigour with which j\Ir. Beckles has followed up the 

 inquiry. So productive have his labours been latterly, that hardly a 

 week passes without its regular instalment of a couple of dispatches 

 of mammalian jaws from Purbeck. 



* Quarterly Jourral of the Geological Society, vol. x. pp. 431 & 432, 1854. 



