PURBECK FORMATIONS. 103 



other Seals ; nor is it peculiar to the mandible of Carnivora even " as a salient process ;" 

 and, furthermore, as such, it is not wanting in Flagiaulax ; only, it is directed inward 

 immediately below the condyle in that Marsupial, not, as in Mgrmecobius from a part of 

 the jaw continued downward below the condyle. • 



The differences which the Marsupialia present in the position, form, and degree of 

 inflection of the angle of the jaw are noted in the works cited below.^ "The condyle of 

 the jaw is nearer the plane of the inferior margin of the ramus in the Thylacine, (fig. 5, 



Fig. 20. 



Mandible and teeth, Dasyurus ursinus. 



p. 74) and Dasyure (fig. 20), than in the Opossums ; and, consequently, Avhen the inflected 

 angle is broken off, the curve of the line continued from the condyle along the lower margin 

 of the jaw is least ; in this particular again the Phascolothere resembles the Thylacine." ^ 

 The Flagiaulax repeats this characteristic of the most carnivorous members of its order, 

 but with still less degree of curvature. 



One other proposition seems of sufficient weight, in relation to the scientific standing 

 of the Objectors to my conclusions as to the habits and affinities of Plagiaulax, to call for 

 notice ; although its very suggestion betrays a sense of the insecurity of the grounds on 

 which the herbivorous and saltatory nature of Flagiaulax has been contended for. 



The species of this genus are affirmed to have been animals too small, too feeble, to 

 have preyed upon others, especially when much larger than themselves. 



Whoever has witnessed the well-known zoological phenomenon of the pertinaceous 

 pursuit and fatal attack of a Hare by the diminutive Weasel would pause, however, before 

 venturing on such ground. 



Dr. Falconer,^ selecting for his example the most diminutive of the species of 

 Plagiaulax, remarks : — " The entire length of the specimen, including the six molars and 

 premolars, together with the procumbent incisor (according to the metrical line e), does 

 not exceed '4 of an inch, of which the six cheek-teeth united make only about two and 



' 'Geological Transactions,' 2nd series, vol. vi, p. 50; 'Zoological Transactions,' vol. ii, p. 392; 

 'Cyclopaedia of Anatomy,' Art. Marsupialia, vol. iii, p. 275. 



2 ' Hist, of British Fossil Mammals,' 8vo, 1840, p. 65. 



3 Falconer, opera cit., pp. 363 and 448. 



