255 



the fossil resembles the Elk as much as it diners from the Giraffe : in the 

 length of the symphysis it is intermediate between the Elk and the Giraffe. 



The fossil of Issoudun resembles the Giraffe and differs from the Elk in 

 the characteristic superior breadth, or transverse diameter, of the second 

 and third molars, and in the rugous surface of the enamel ; in the con- 

 cavity of the inner surface of the ramus between the first molar and the 

 symphysis, and in the thicker posterior margin of the ascending ramus. 



From these and some minor characters the Issoudun fossil evidently 



approximates most nearly to the genus Camelopardalis , but offers striking 



differences from the existing species of Giraffe, and tends in these devia- 



ions towards the genus Alces. Presented by Prof. Duvernoy . 



Genus Cervus. 



Subgenus Megaceros. 



1120. The skeleton of a gigantic Deer, commonly, but erroneously, called the 

 ' Irish Elk ' (Megaceros Hibemicus, Owen ; Cervus Megaceros, Hart ; 

 Cerf a bois gigantesques, Cuvier). This skeleton maintains a close cor- 

 respondence with the Fallow Deer in the bones of the trunk, the number 

 of ribs, and also in the forms and proportions of the bones of the 

 extremities, but these are rather stronger relatively to their length. The 

 cervical vertebrae are proportionally much larger, in relation to the great 

 weight which they were destined to support when the antlers were fully 

 developed. The subgeneric character and chief peculiarity of the present 

 extinct species are manifested by the extraordinary development and the 

 form of the antlers. The span of the antlers, measured in a straight 

 line between the extreme tips, is eight feet ; the length of a single antler 

 following the curve is seven feet three inches. 



The rounded beam of the antler expands, sooner than in the true Dama 

 or Fallow Deer, into a broad palm, which sends off all the processes or 

 snags, save one, from its anterior border, in which respect Megaceros 

 differs from Dama and resembles Alces ; it differs from the Elk in having" 

 one posterior branch or ' spiller,' and more especially in having both 



