1838.] in the Siwalik hills. 659 



whether the genera of larger animals were not more numerous ? We 

 appear to be gradually losing all the larger forms of the creation. The 

 Elephant and Giraffe of the present period will in all probability share 

 the same fate as the Mastodon and Sivatherium of former eras, and be 

 only recognised in the proofs exhibited by the researches of the geolo- 

 gists. 



Having discovered the type of a gigantic Ruminant amongst the fos- 

 sils of the Shvaliks in company with the remains of the larger Pachy- 

 dermia, and having at the same time proved the existence of the 

 Camel, with other numerous species of the Cervine and Caprine families 

 of Ruminants, it was not by any means improbable that the present 

 tribe of Giraffidae should have its representative, so that the connection 

 of the chain of existing and fossil ruminants might be still more per- 

 fect. The discovery of the Sivatherium and Camel in conjunction led 

 to the probability of the existence of the Giraffe, giving this genus the 

 first position amongst the family of Cervidse. The fossil now to be 

 described appears to throw some light on the subject, and should further 

 research tend to corroborate the contents of this paper, it will be inter- 

 esting to remark on the co-existence of the Sivatherium, Camel and 

 Giraffe, with Quadrumana, Anoplotheria, Mastodons, and reptiles so 

 closely resembling those of the present rivers, that it is not possible to 

 discover in their osteological pictures at least, any remarkable deviation 

 from the type which has been left to us. 



The remain which I wish to describe is the third cervical vertebra : 

 it was cleared out of a block of sandstone, and as is usual in similar 

 cases, is very perfect in all its parts and proportions, and sufficiently 

 armed with processes for the purpose of recognition and comparison. 

 The dimensions are as follows. 



Length in the barrel, Inch. 7.8 



Breadth in centre ditto, 1.7 



Depth ditto ditto, 2.2 



There are marked differences between this fossil and the correspond- 

 ing vertebra of the existing camel, and in comparing them together the 

 following appear to be the most worthy of notice. 



In the fossil the oblique processes are much shorter, and stouter 

 than those of the camel, with articulating surfaces at a greater angle : 

 the barrel of the vertebra is much longer : the hollows or depressions 

 which appear directly under the anterior oblique processes, and the 

 ridges radiating from the extremity of the spinous process towards the 

 expanded surface of the posterior oblique processes so well marked 

 in the camel, are altogether wanting in the fossil : the upper surface 



