116 ON THE FOSSIL CAMEL 



which CuviER decides to be an undoubted species of Dromedary : this 

 remain consists of three teeth brought by a merchant from Siberia : the 

 place or stratum in which it was found is unknown, and Cuvier's remark — 

 " Si les trois dents que M. Bojanus vient de publier sont effectivement 

 fossiles," throws an uncertainty even on its antiquity. 



In the identification of the Sivalik fossil there can be no doubt ; and 

 although we should have preferred delaying this paper until we had pro- 

 cured a perfect skull, we may perhaps be excused for entering upon the 

 description, since the portions of the skeleton we already possess, including 

 parts of the skull, are sufficiently marked to remove all doubts on the animal 

 to which they belonged. 



The Camel is placed in systematic arrangements at the head of the 

 Ruminantia. In common witli the rest of the family it has a compound 

 stomach. Its molars have the form characteristic of Ruminants, and its 

 skeleton generally is constructed on the same plan. But the skull differs 

 very materially in form from that of the horned Ruminants and we see 

 in the less complete anchylosis of the metacarpal and metatarsal bones, and 

 in the greater division of the carpus and tarsus, an approach to a higher 

 family among the Mammalia. The anomalous character of the pseudo 

 canines, the presence of incisors in the upper jaw, the thickness of skin 

 and horny soles of the feet, shew a strong affinity with the Pachy- 

 dermata. This affinity is greatest with the Solidungula which the 

 Camels approach by their more divided carpus and tarsus ; while the 

 former approximate to the Camels by their soldered metacarpals and 

 metatarsals. 



In drawing a comparison between the skull of a Camel, and that of a 

 horned Ruminant, the peculiarities of the former are exhibited in the great 

 width and massiveness of the cranial portion, contrasted with that of the 

 muzzle, which is slender ; the position of the orbit is more centrical and its 

 edges more prominent, owing to the elongation of the cranium and to the 

 greater development of the temporal fossa. 



