226 MESSES. HANCOCK AND HOWSE ON A 



near the centre of the left maxilla, in a tolerable state of preser- 

 vation. The central portion of the roof is, for the most part, 

 deficient — little more than the cast of it showing the form. 



The upper surface of the roof, or as much of it as remains, 

 and the margins of the maxillae are studded with small conical, 

 bluntly pointed tooth-like processes, irregularly disposed, but 

 nowhere crowded. They are largest at the outer margins of the 

 maxillae, where they incline outwards, and appear to diminish 

 in length, and to become erect as they pass inwards towards the 

 middle longitudinal line. They are for the most part broken 

 down, merely tubercular scars marking their position ; but near 

 to the centre of the left maxilla they are quite perfect, and are 

 seen projecting into the adherent matrix, having much the ap- 

 pearance of minute teeth. The largest are one-sixteenth of an 

 inch in length, and are rather obtusely pointed ; several of them 

 are coated with a thin layer of transparent glass-like enamel. 

 Their resemblance to teeth is still further shown by a large pulp- 

 cavity and thick dentine-like walls, which have a white milky 

 hue, and are very tender, being evidently much changed by fos- 

 silization. They are, however, apparently processes of the bone 

 from which they project ; no distinct anchylosis can be seen, 

 and when broken away there is no depressed scar, but their bases 

 are persistent, like rugged tubercles. 



Traces of similar tooth-like processes are found much further 

 back on the sides of the skull. The palatal surface of the muzzle, 

 so far as it could be explored, displays no teeth, neither does the 

 outer or alveolar margin of the maxillae ; but not much import- 

 ance can be placed on these negative facts when the peculiar 

 state of the specimen is considered. Very little can be added to 

 what has already been said respecting the other portions of the 

 cranium. After carefully removing the crystalline carbonate of 

 lime from the interior of both portions of the skull, its walls are 

 found distinctly lining the concavities in the matrix, though in 

 places the bone is reduced to mere traces. And in one part the 

 coronal wall has been thrust inwards, apparently by some dis- 

 turbance in the matrix ; and the general distortion is so extensive 

 that little can be determined except the contour, which has been 



