PROFESSOR OWEN ON THE FOSSIL MAMMALS OF AUSTRALIA. 
179 
§ 7. Lacrymal , maxillary , and palatal characters of Phascolomys Mitchelli, Ow. — So 
much of the lacrymal (73) is fortunately preserved on the right side of the subject of Plate 
XVII. fig. 3, t , as to indicate the affinity of the fossil to certain existing Wombats. This 
bone, both in Phascolomys vombatus* and Phase, platyrhinus (Woodcut, fig. 5), developes 
a prominent tubercle above 73 at its upper border, below the fronto-maxillary suture 
(n-21). In Phascolomys latifrons (fig. 6 ) a feeble swelling of the lacrymal (73), where it 
Fig. 5. 
Lacrymal Ac. characters, Phascolomys platyrhinus. 
Fig. 6. 
Lacrymal &c. characters, Phascolomys latifrons. 
joins the frontal (n), answers to the tubercle. The indications of a lacrymal canal are 
minute in all Wombats. The lacrymal of Phase. Mitchelli (Plate XVII. fig. 0,73) shows 
the well-developed tubercle (t) in the same relative position to the fronto-maxillary suture 
as in Phascolomys vombatus and Phase, platyrhinus : the bone anterior to the tubercle 
is flatter, less excavated in Phase. Mitchelli than in those existing Wombats, and herein 
more resembles the lacrymal in Phascolomys latifrons. 
The alveoli of the five upper molars of each side (Plate XVII. fig. 5, p 3, 4, m i, 2, 3) with 
the intervening part of the bony palate (ib. 20 , 21 ) are preserved in the present fossil. 
The form of the latter adheres to the type of that of Phascolomys vombatusf and Phase, 
platyrhinus (Woodcut, fig. 7) ; in Phase, latifrons (Woodcut, fig. 8) the palate ( 20 , 21 ) is less 
contracted anteriorly. The fore part of the postpalatal apertures (Plate XVII. fig. 5, b) 
does not reach that of the hindmost socket (in 3) in t-lie fossil, which also in this respect 
agrees with Phascolomys vombatus% and Phase, platyrhinus (Woodcut, fig. 7, b) ; whilst it 
* Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. iii. pi. xxxvii. figs. 1 & 2. It is also represented in figs. 2 & 3 of Dr. Murie’s memoir 
loc. cit. p. 814, but the suture dividing the tubercular lacrymal from the frontal is not marked, 
t Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. ii. plate lxxi. fig. 1. 
i Ibid. 
