114 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
much more closely, not only in form, hut in dimensions. The corres- 
ponding dimensions of the latter to those of the clay seal already 
given in the table, being respectively 4 inches, 08 inches, T2 inches, 
and 1-4 inches ; the differences, therefore, being so trifling as to be 
merely individual. They both possess the elongated ridge-like 
tubercle on the posterior border of the ascending ramus, and a deep 
masseteric fossa on its outer surface, which is bounded posteriorly 
by a ridge ascending to the outer end of the condyle, which ridge 
becomes continuous with that on the posterior border already re- 
ferred to ; in both the lower border of the horizontal ramus is in- 
curved opposite the last molar tooth, behind which incurved portion 
it sweeps backwards and outwards in a graceful curve; in both 
the arrangement and cuspidation of the teeth are closely similar, 
although the intervals between the anterior molars are somewhat 
greater in P.foetidus , than in the fossil. 
The upper jaws and temporal bones in the two seals closely 
correspond in form. 
The affinity, therefore, of the fossil seal to Pagomys foetidus is 
very close, — so close, indeed, that I should not consider myself 
justified in pronouncing them to he distinct species. 
So far, then, as I have had access to materials for comparison, I 
am inclined to think that the seal, the remains of which are found 
in the brick-clays of Scotland, corresponded with the now existing 
small arctic seal, P. foetidus . 
I am not aware that there is any satisfactory evidence to show 
that this northern seal ever visits our shores at the present day, 
so that we may consider the determination of its bones in the brick- 
clays to he an additional piece of evidence to those advanced from 
other data, that at the time when these clays were deposited an 
arctic climate prevailed over Scotland. 
The following Gentleman was elected a Fellow of the 
Society : — 
Dr J. Warburton Begbie, F.R.C.P.E. 
