198 NEW SPECIES OF FOSSIL BEAR 



Fossiles,* an adult specimen of the latter measures 17.9 inches from the 

 incisives to the occipital crest. The fossil cranium although mutilated at 

 the occiput, measures 17 inches : with the deficient portion restored, it 

 would probably measure 19 inches. The facial half of the head, from the 

 post-orbitary processes to the incisives, measures 9.3 inches ; and in almost 

 all the Bears the cranial portion is longer than the facial. Supposing this 

 proportion to hold in our fossil the head would be more than 19 inches, 

 and exceed that of the Ursus spelceus. 



The form of the cranium in profile is shown in Fig. 1. The most 

 striking feature is the almost rectilinear outline, and absence of any 

 notable curvature. From along the nasals to between the intraorbitary 

 processes is almost a straight line. There is but a trifling degree of con- 

 vexity from that backwards : and the sagittal crest rises in a very promi- 

 nent ridge above the parietals. No species of Bear has so straight a 

 cranium. The Ursus spelceus is chiefly characterised by a bulge of the 

 forehead above the root of the nasals. The only species which at all 

 approaches the fossil in profile is the white Polar Bear, Ursus maritimus 

 But besides the great difference of size, the latter has nothing of the salient 

 sagittal crest, which is so prominent in the fossil ; all the other Bears have 

 more or less convexity of profile. 



Exclusive therefore of the teeth, the size and cranial outline would 

 suffice to establish the fossil, as a distinct species. The other peculiarities of 

 the head are these. The frontal is very broad, although an accidental 

 indented fracture on the brow takes off from the measurement. The orbits 

 have considerable obliquity, and large size, the depth from the postorbitary 

 process to the malar margin being 3.1 inches. Their anterior margin only 

 advances to above the posterior surface of the rear molar. The temporal 

 ridges are but slightly marked and meet at an open angle as in the Urstcs 

 spelceus. From their commissure backwards there is scarcely any sink, 

 the sagittal crest starting with great prominence from the parietals. The 

 crest is not complete in its whole length, being broken off" obliquely towards 



* Tom. 4, p. 359. f Ossemens Fossiles, torn. 4, lab * * Fig. 



