342 PROCEEDINGS OP THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [June 19, 



5. Observations on certain Points in the Dentition of Eossil 

 Bears, which appear to afford good Diagnostic Characters, and 

 on the Kelation of TJ. priscus, Goldf., to U. ferox. By George 

 Bfsk, Esq., E.E.S., P.G.S. 



[The publication of this paper is unavoidably deferred.] 



(Abstract.) 



After noticing the difficulties which attend the study of the bones 

 of the skeleton generally in fossil Bears, and the somewhat confused 

 and contradictory opinions as to the distinction of species which 

 have arisen in consequence, Mr. Busk states that his object in the 

 present communication is merely to call attention to some points 

 in the dentition which seem to afford more certain and more readily 

 ascertainable characters than can at present be dravni from the 

 bones, and which, at any rate in the absence of other evidence, are 

 a sufficiently sure guide in the distinction of species. 

 The characters derived from the teeth depend — 



1. On their dimensions, absolute and relative. 



2. On their form. 



It is not necessary, however, to consider all the teeth. The 

 canines vary too much even within the limits of one species to be of 

 much utility ; and, with certain exceptions, the differences exhibited 

 in the molars are not sufficiently marked to allow of their being 

 employed. 



The teeth upon which reliance is to be placed are the upper and 

 lower fourth premolars, and the last molar in each jaw ; and the 

 distinctive characters of these teeth in U. spelceus, U. priscus, U. 

 ferox, and U. arctos are pointed out by the author. 



It is also endeavoured to be shown that in the size, proportions, 

 and form of the teeth no essential differences can be perceived 

 between U. priscus and U. ferox ; and the opinion is expressed 

 that, so far as cranial and dental characters are concerned, those two 

 species are at present indistinguishable. 



6. Notes on the Geology of the Province of Canterbury, N. Z., 

 principally in reference to the deposits of the Glacial Epoch at the 

 western base of the Southern Alps. By Julius Haast, Ph.D., 

 E.G.S., &c. 



Contents. 

 I. Introduction. 



II. Geological Structure of the Southern Alps. 

 III. Moraine-accumulations of the Postpliocene or Glacial Epoch. 



I. Introduction. 



In a paper laid before the Society at its Meeting of the 7th Decem- 

 ber, 1866, 1 offered a resume of my views on the causes by which the 

 glaciation of the Southern Island of ^^Tew Zealand had been produced 

 in Postpliocene times, giving at the same time a short description of 

 the deposits of that interesting epoch, by which the slopes and valleys 



