= 
416 The American Naturalist. [May, 
“The placentals and marsupials, and the question whether oneor 
both of these orders is represented in this fauna, is still unsettled. Not 
a single jaw has been found or reported sufficiently complete in the 
delicate region of the angle to determine positively its placental or 
marsupial structure. Portions of the jaws which are preserved indicate 
the presence of the marsupial type of inflection, while others point to 
distinct placental angulation.” (Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., Vol. 5, 
1893.) 
Ancestors of the Tapir.—In describing two new species of Pro- 
tapirus, P. obliquidens and P. simplex, from the Lower Miocene of 
Dakota, Messrs. Wortman and Earle take occasion to discuss the phy- 
logeny of the Tapiridæ and thus summarize the points brought out by 
the descriptions : 
“1. We consider the genus Systemodon as standing m ancestral 
relation to the Tapiridæ. 
“2. Isectolophus latidens is probably the line leading to the true 
Tapirs. 
“3. If further discovery shows that J. annectens has both egas 
two premolars as complex as the true molars, it must be removed 
the main tapir line. i k 
“The earliest member of the subfamily Tapirinæ, or true huva 
found in the Phosphorites of France, there being a consider 
val between the latter formation and the Oreodon Beds of the 
River Miocene. nee 
“5. In contrast with the other Perissodactyla of the White = 
formation, the premolars of Protapirus have not assumed the 
plexity of the true molars. tal 
“6. The foot structure of Protapirus is nearly as far advanced pi 
evolution as that of the existing American tapir.” (Bull. Am. 
Nat. Hist., Aug., 1893.) 
Geological News,.-ArcnEan—According to Prof.G.H. Witt 
voleanic rocks are widely distributed through the crystalline effusive 
eastern North America. The writer limits the term voleame om 
or surface igneous rocks, in contrast to such as have solidified afl 
the surface. The areas of these ancient volcanic rocks now pe 
roughly in two parallel belts; the eastern embraces expe ae 
foundland, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Bay of Fundy, oae pe 
Boston Basin and the central Carolinas; the western belt ¢ 
pent- 
Eastern Townships and follows the Blue Ridge through Southern 
