122 ON THE FOSSIL CAMEL 



arrived at that period and state of dentition when the obliteration of the 

 crescentic lines was complete, and when the grinding surface consisted of 

 ivory with an imperfect margin of enamel. The second and third false 

 molars, or those with a single cylinder, are here in position ; exhibiting a 

 remarkable affinity to those in the existing Camel both in form and in 

 the contrasted obliquity of wear (to front and rear respectively in the 

 first and second teeth,) which is such a peculiar feature in the old 

 animal. 



Fig. 3, is a representation of another fragment ; both jaws locked toge- 

 ther, but the anterior and posterior extremities, with the upper surface of 

 the skull, wanting. The animal from which this remain originated, was 

 young — its ultimate permanent tooth not completely developed, and the 

 third milk molar still in position. The general character is that of the pre- 

 sent Camel, the form of maxillaries, thickness of lower jaw and external 

 appearance of teeth corresponding as closely as two skulls of one species 

 would do in the animal now existing. The position of the sub-orbitary 

 foramen, however, is rather higher up on the maxillary, and the diminution 

 in depth or tapering of the lower jaw is not so considerable as we observe 

 to be the case in the existing Camel. 



Fig. 4, gives us a still further insight into the form of the head of 

 the fossil Camel. The lower jaw (with the exception of the upper por- 

 tion of the ascending branches including the condyle and coronoid pro- 

 cesses) is quite perfect; and the lines of molars of the upper jaw are also 

 in position. Here we may express a regret on the want of careful superin- 

 tendence in excavating and removing these fossils from the stratum. It is 

 possible in the present case that the whole of the upper portion of this 

 specimen might have been obtained had proper care been taken in remov- 

 ing the circumjacent matrix. It will be seen that the upper portion has 

 been as it were cut off on a line with the alveoli of the upper molars, leav- 

 ing not only them but also the upper canines in position. 



