4i NOTE ON THE FOSSIL HIPPOPOTAMUS 



canine alveolus, is as we before remarked more abrupt. The figure of the 

 muzzle is very similar to the African variety, with a modification in the 

 form of the incisives adapted to the particular form of the teeth. The width 

 of the muzzle is comparatively greater, but the separation of the whole into 

 four bluff" swellings with the spaces intervening for the incisive sutures, is a 

 point which has a close resemblance in the existing animal. 



' The frontal angle is more acute in the fossil ; the coronal crest runs more 

 obliquely backwards, and the antero-posterior length of the frontal is twice 

 as much as in the African. From the rounded form of the nasal suture in its 

 contact with this bone, the anterior part of the frontal forms a tongue bound- 

 ed by the lachrymal in front and by the nasal and orbit on the two sides. 

 From the depth of the temporal fossa, as in the existing animal, the width of 

 the cranium is somewhat less than that of the muzzle over the suborbitary 

 foramina, and the interval between the inner side of the zygomatic arch and 

 the surface of the cranium is somewhat less than the width of the cranium. 



On the lower surface we are unfortunately not so well provided with 

 sutures to guide us in our comparative dimensions ; for, with the exception 

 of those between the lines of molars which are in themselves not very dis- 

 tinct, there are none whatever. The position of the bones in rear of the 

 palatal sinus appears to correspond with that of the existing animal, although 

 the relative dimensions and proportions will, it is supposed, be modified by 

 the peculiarities described in the upper surface, and dependent on the 

 lengthened form of this region. The basillary mastoid apophyses, and the 

 slightly concave surface of the glenoid cavity, appear to resemble those of 

 the Cape Hippopotamus ; this latter cavity is more in rear of the most salient 

 projection of the zygomatic arches than in the living animal. In the form 

 and position of the molars the only remark that may be made is on the non- 

 parallelism of the lines : Cuvier describes those of the Cape Hippopotamus 

 as parallel but slightly curving outwards towards the front (un peu ecartees 

 en avant) ; we see some difference in our different specimens, but in all, there 

 is a curving outwards both in front and rear, the middle of the palate being the 



