244 



W. B. DAWKINS OX A SKULL OF OVIBOS MOSCHATUS. 



from those of that species in the fact that they are not confluent in 

 the median line of the frontals, and do not extend in front as far as 

 the plane of the orbits in the median line, as well as in the abrupt 

 downward sweep of their extremities. 



The principal measurements, as compared with other specimens, 

 are given in the following Table : — 



Measurements of Horn-cores of Ovibos moschatus. 





Specimen 

 figured. 



Pleistocene, 

 Crayford. 



Eecent, 

 Brit. Mus. 



Horn-cores, antero -posterior extent ... 



6-5 in. 

 6-8 

 121 

 1-0 

 lo 

 0-41 



9-0 in. 

 14-5 

 17-6 



0-65 



8-8 in. 

 14-5 



„ basal cir cum f erence 



interspace, beliind 



,, „ in front 



„ „ minimum 



The frontals in front of the horn-cores are smooth, and the ridge 

 extending across the forehead in some old males from one supra- 

 orbital foramen to another is merely indicated by a gentle rise. In 

 concluding this notice, it only remains for me to add that the skull 

 is the ninth specimen of this rare fossil from British Pleistocene 

 deposits, and the second referable with high probability to the horizon 

 of the pre-glacial Forest-bed. 



Discussioi^. 



Mr. Clemei^t E-eid doubted whether the specimen described really 

 came from the Forest-bed. It looked more recent and was lighter- 

 coloured. He also called attention to the fact that the specimen 

 brought for comparison, and stated to be from the Forest-bed at 

 Pakefield, had on it traces of marine organisms, and a label 

 stating that it was dredged at a distance of 30 or 40 miles off 

 Southwold. 



Dr. Woodward remarked that both the specimens exhibited 

 appeared to be from the Dogger Bank. More information was 

 required to determine whether these specimens were pre- or post- 

 glacial. At the same time the evidence collected by the Author was 

 of great importance. 



Mr. E. T. ISTewtois" also doubted whether the age of these fossils 

 was satisfactorily established. Their appearance was insufficient to 

 determine that they came from the Forest-bed, because many fossils 

 have been referred in collections to this bed, which were really of 

 unknown derivation, especially certain specimens which were of a 

 dark colour outside and paler within. Specimens from the Dogger 

 Bank were generally heavier than those from the Forest-bed. 



The Atjthoe, in reply said that the only point agreed upon seemed 

 to be that the specimen was dredged in the Korth Sea. During the 

 last twenty-five years he had studied the Mammalia of the Eastern 

 Counties, and was acquainted with the collections from the Dogger 

 Bank. These were less mineralized and lighter than- those of the 

 Forest-bed. The skull, in his belief, was identical in mineral condition 

 with undoubted Forest-bed specimens. 



