502 Capt. Cautley and Dr. Falconer 



only indicated by a minute foramen^ so that these articular surfaces run into 

 one. This is the greatest difference observable in the fossil. The rough 

 fossa at the outer side of the neck is alike in both. 



With these inconsiderable peculiarities^ the fossil agrees so closely in size 

 and general form with the astragalus of the Entellus, that it probably belonged 

 to the same sub-genus : still the points of difference are sufficient to leave no 

 doubt, that the fossil must be assigned to a distinct species. In equalling the 

 Entellus, it would belong to the larger Quadrumana. This is all the inform- 

 ation the specimen conveys^ regarding the animal from which it came ; but 

 we may hope to meet with remains, which will develope its entire osteology, 

 more especially that of the cranium and face. The fossil was found by a 

 party of Hindoo collectors employed by us on the fossil tract of the Sewalik 

 Hills ; and was brought to us mixed up with a promiscuous collection of the 

 remains of the Hippopotamus, Mastodon, Ruminants, &c., like the specimens 

 which have been sent to the Society. We have not therefore the means of 

 knowing the exact locality where, and the circumstances under which, it was 

 found. 



The discovery is interesting in itself as supplying a deficient link in the 

 series of the former tenants of the globe; but greatly more so in connexion 

 with the races with which the fossil was associated. We have excavated 

 from, or found in the debris of, different beds of the same formation which 

 yielded the fossil astragalus, the remains of a species of Anoplotherium *, the 

 Crocodilus biporcatus and C. {Leptorhynchus) Gangeticus'\, respectively the 

 Magar and Gavial, two species which at the present day inhabit the quiet 

 waters of the Ganges. Here then are two most instructive facts : Quadrumana 

 co-existed with a member of the oldest ascertained pachydermatous genus of 

 Europe ; and two reptiles now the contemporaries of man in the East, lived, 

 and may have laved, in the same waters along with a species of one of the 

 mammiferous genera which characterise the Eocene period of the West; — 

 affording another illustration of constancy in the order of nature, of an iden- 

 tity of condition in the earth of the olden time with what it exhibits now, 

 and of the invariableness of organized forms. The two decurrent ridges on 

 the face which specifically distinguish the C. biporcatus of the present day, 



* Anoplotherium Sivalense, (No. 6.) a new species, of a size somewhat larger than the J. 

 commune of the Paris basin. The species is known to us by two upper jaws in our possession 

 with the series of molars complete. We therefore quote it unhesitatingly. 



t Known to us by specimens comprising the whole of the cranium and muzzle. They do not 

 differ more from the existing individuals than these do from one another in varieties dependent 

 on age and sex. Asiatic Researches, Vol. xix. Part II., Art. II. 



