PROFESSOR OWEN ON THE FOSSIL MAMMALS OF AUSTRALIA. 
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The bilophodont molars have both pre- and postbasal ridges ; the former, as usual in 
upper molars, less produced than in the lower molars. The indication of the fore link is 
recognizable, and that between the main lobes is more plainly shown (Plate XXVII. 
fig. 4) ; the mid link is worn down to the base, exposing a broader tract of dentine in 
the foremost ( d 4) and a linear tract in the next tooth ( m 1). A broad field of dentine had 
been brought to the grinding-surface in both molars. Mr. Krefft has noted on one of 
the photographs of a fossil upper jaw, which I refer to Protemnodon Mimas , “ Molars 
worn down, premolar in good condition ” — an appearance which is the consequence of 
the later development of the front tooth of the series. The crowns of the other molar 
teeth seem to have suffered mutilation from fracture in the original of the photograph. 
The maxillo-prem axillary suture (between 21 and 22 in Plate XXVII. fig. 1) is unmis- 
takable in the photograph ; anterior to it, in a line with the hind part of the last incisive 
socket, the premaxillary has suffered fracture. The extent of the diastema contributed 
by the maxillary (21) is 1 inch 1 line. The course of the suture resembles that in Halma- 
turus ; it does not describe an angle or curve forward before ascending obliquely back- 
ward to the nasal, as in Macropus major. 
If photographs alone, such as those in Plate XXVII. figs. 1-4, of which I have given 
the foregoing interpretation, should be thought insufficient evidence of an extinct species, 
I may remark that the characters of Protemnodon Mimas , and the determination of 
that species of extinct Kangaroo, are independent of them, and are sufficiently exemplified 
in the fossil remains of the mandible and mandibular teeth of this gigantic Wallaby. 
§ 13. Protemnodon Bcechus, Ow. — The subject of figs. 10-13, Plate XXVII., from 
King’s Creek, Clifton Station, presented by the proprietor, George King, Esq., is a part 
of a left mandibular ramus, with the permanent dentition, save the last molar, in place 
and use ; and, from the degree of attrition of the crown of m 2, it is plain that m 3 had 
risen into place, and been lost with the supporting part of the jaw by mutilation of the 
fossil. The retained molars have characters of those of Protemnodon Anak , in wanting 
the postbasal ridge (fig. 13), and having the links less sharply defined (fig. 12) than in 
Protemnodon Mimas. But the increase of size is more than can be granted to difference 
of sex. The protemnodont pattern of premolar is closely adhered to ; the hind swelling 
of the crown (ib. fig. 10, b) is relatively somewhat greater than in Protemnodon Anak , 
and a smooth triturating surface has been 'worn upon its summit ; the trenchant border 
is abraded, as usual, upon its outer side. The anterior lesser expansion is defined 
externally by an oblique, not vertical groove. The lower border as well as both ends 
of the mandible have been broken or worn away. 
The preserved teeth describe a slight curve, convex- inward — a character (if it be spe- 
cific) which is not shown by any of the other and smaller kinds of extinct Kangaroos 
forming the subject of the present communication. In this I have continued the 
practice, began in my Appendix to Mitchell’s work (1838), of attaching the names of 
giants, familiar to the students of biblical and mediaeval histories, to the several extinct 
species which towered of old above the tallest of the living Kangaroos. 
