1840.] On Fossil Quadrumam. S07 



diagonal direction, "with reference to the upper surface, as in the Entel- 

 lus : it has also the same form, but it is more vaulted, and has less 

 stretch and width.Its in,ier mir^lti is b ounded by the shallow, pulley- 

 shaped fossa for the tendon of the flexor poUicis longus muscle, en- 

 tirely as in the Entellus ; and the rough pit between it and the anterior 

 calcanean surface is alike in both. The head-and-neck apophysis is 

 sent off as in the Entellus. The upper surface of the neck is nar- 

 rower and less sloped. The scaphoid surface of the head is altogether 

 less extensive. The head itself is not so thick and massive, and its 

 long direction slopes more obliquely upwards than in the Entellus; its 

 inferior articular surface is less, and there is a wide, rectagonal, rough 

 gutter or fossa running half way across, so as to make two surfaces. In 

 the Entellus the fossa is obsolete, and only indicated by a minute fora- 

 men, so that these articular surfaces run into one. This is the greatest 

 difference observable in the fossil. The rough fossa at the outer side of 

 the n^^ck is alike in both. 



With these inconsiderable peculiarities, the fossil agrees so closely in 

 size and general form with the astragalus of the Entellus, that it proba- 

 bly belonged to the same sub-genus : still the points of diiTerence are 

 sufficient to leave no doubt, that the fossil must be assigned to a distinct 

 species. In equalling the Entellus, it would belong to the larger Quad- 

 rumana. This is all the information the specimen conveys, regarding the 

 animal from which it came ; but we may hope to meet with remains, 

 "which will develope its entire osteology, more especially that of the cra- 

 nium and face. The fossil was found by a party of Hindoo collectors 

 employed by us on the fossil tract of the Sewaiik Hills ; and was brought 

 to us mixed up with a promiscuous collection of tlie remains of the Hip- 

 popotamus, Mastodon, Ruminants, &c., like the specimens which have 

 been sent to the Society. We have not therefore the means of knowing 

 the exact locality where, and the circumstances under which, it was 

 found. 



The diseovery is interesting in itself as supplying a deficient link in the 

 series of the former tenants of the globe ; but greatly more so in con- 

 nexion with the races with which the fossil was associated. We have 

 excavated from, or found in the debris of, different beds of the same for- 

 mation which yielded the fossil astragalus, the remains of a species of 

 Anoplotheiium,* the Crocodilus hiporcaius and C. (Lepiorhi/nchus} 



* Anoplorneriimi Sivalense, a new species, of a size somewhat larger than the 

 A. commune of the Paris basin. The species is known to us by two upper jaws in our 

 possession with the series of molars complete. We therefore quote it unhesitatingly. 



