296 



let, and in this character they closely resemble the present fossil. The 

 dorsal vertebrae of the Wombat are, however, longer in proportion to 

 their breadth. Thus the present mutilated vertebra alone would support 

 the conclusion that there had formerly existed in Australia a mammi- 

 ferous quadruped, superior to the Rhinoceros in bulk, and distinct from 

 any known species of corresponding size ; and it is interesting to find 

 one well-marked character in it, viz. the median excavation on the upper 

 part of the body, repeated by one of the largest of the existing Marsu- 

 pialia. 



From the alluvial or newer tertiary deposits in the bed of the Conda- 

 mine River, west of Moreton Bay, Australia. 



Presented by Lieut.- Col. Sir T. L. Mitchell, C.B. 

 1463. A fragment of a vertebra, including the anterior and posterior articular 

 processes, of the left side, the left half of the neural arch, and part of the 

 anterior articular end of the body. The upper part of the spinal canal is 

 nearly flat, but divided by two parallel longitudinal ridges into three 

 nearly equal grooves ; the transverse diameter of the canal at its anterior 

 outlet is one inch one line ; the vertical diameter appears not to have 

 exceeded half an inch ; the transverse diameter of the vertebra across the 

 anterior articular processes is four inches and a half, and across the poste- 

 rior processes is four inches ; the length of the neural arch at the base 

 of the spine is two inches nine lines. The proportion of the spinal canal 

 to the vertebra indicates this to be from near the root or the base of the 

 tail ; but the remains of the anterior articular end of the body show that 

 the vertebrae were here joined by ball and socket joints. A transverse 

 process, which extended outwards from below the anterior articular pro- 

 cess, has been broken off. The spinous process is much compressed and 

 almost obsolete anteriorly ; its base is three lines thick posteriorly. 



This very remarkable fragment has the same colour and mineralized 

 condition as the jaws of the Diprotodon australis, and is from the same 

 stratum and locality, viz. the Condamine River. 



From the alluvial or newer tertiary deposits in the bed of the Conda- 

 mine River, west of Moreton Bay, Australia. 



Presented by Lieut-Col. Sir T. L. Mitchell, C.B. 



