326 Mr. R. Walker on Ancient Shell 



the antero-posterior diameter of the third molar is in a similar pro- 

 portion greater than the transverse, although not to the same ex- 

 tent as that of the molar from Oreston, figured by Owen*. The 

 portions of the skull and jaw found are not so large as the same 

 parts generally are in the common horse ; still they are large in 

 comparison to the size of the limb-bones. No doubt it might 

 seem erroneous to affirm that the skull, or jaw, and any of the 

 other bones had belonged to the same individual ; at the same 

 time, as they were found within a few yards of each other and in 

 a like condition, we may be allowedto consider them meantime as 

 representative of the race, which may be regarded as a horse with 

 small legs and a large head, resembling the fossil as well as the 

 wild species. 



millims. 

 Length of metatarsal bone (Horse) . . . 260 

 Least circumference of shaft 88 



The bones of the Pig consist for the most part of pieces of the 

 cranium, of the upper and lower jaws (containing some of the 

 molar and other teeth), and a number of fragments of the leg- 

 bones. All these bones, with one exception, have belonged to a 

 small race of pig, closely resembling in size Riitimeyer's " Torf- 

 schwein/' or Pig of the Turbaries, an animal very considerably 

 less than the wild boar, of the remains of which I could find no 

 trace, with the exception of a single fragment of a canine tooth. 

 This is the more remarkable, because, according to tradition, the 

 wild boar was common in this district in the early centuries of 

 our era, and Alexander I. conferred upon the see of St. An- 

 drews the famous tract of land called the Cursus Apri, or boar's 

 chase, which is supposed to have extended from St. Andrews in- 

 land some four or five miles, and perhaps seven or eight miles 

 across the country. The wild boar, from his strength and fero- 

 city, would no doubt be the most conspicuous, although not the 

 more useful animal of the two, and was very likely able to retain 

 his freedom long after his smaller relative was subdued. How- 

 ever this may be, I am persuaded that it will yet be found that 

 this small race of pig was far more numerous, judging from its 

 remains, than the larger species, and at a period far beyond the 

 reach of the most ancient tradition itself. This will be found to 

 be the case, I think, whenever the animal remains met with in 

 and around the various tumuli, cairns, &c. receive more atten- 

 tion than has heretofore been generally bestowed upon them, 

 and when the determination of the species or variety of animals 

 whose remains they contain shall be considered a matter of pri- 

 mary importance, and receive that attention which the interest 



* British Fossil Mammals. 



