94 
NATURAL HISTORY. (Fossils.) [n. GALLERY* 
North American mastodon (M. Ohioticus ) together with numerous 
parts of other individuals of the same species; and a nearly perfect 
cranium, and other portions of the South American mastodon (M. 
Andium). Of the European mastodons, the collection contains re¬ 
mains which have been referred to the M. angustidens , M. Arvernensis y 
and M. longirostris. Three species of Indian mastodons have been 
founded, in the “ Fauna Antiqua Sivalensis” of Falconer and Cautlev, 
upon remains in the collection: they are the M. Perimensis, M . 
Sivalensis , and M. latidens of that work, in which, it may be 
observed, are figured the greater portion of the specimens here 
noticed. The elephant remains, in Room VI., are referred by Dr. 
Falconer to the following species, viz. :— Elephas prisons (?) E. 
meridionalis , E. primigenius, from the European tertiary formations; 
and E. bombifrons , E. Ganesa , E. insignis , E. planifrons, E. Hy- 
sudricus, and E. Namadicus , from India. A large portion of the 
Indian specimens form part of the highly valuable collection presented 
by Major Cautley, Bengal Artillery, to whose indefatigable exertions 
science is indebted for the formation of a rich assemblage of fossil 
remains obtained in the Sewalik, or Sub-Himalayan range, situated 
between the Jumna and Sutlej rivers. For many valuable speci¬ 
mens in the series the Museum is also indebted to Dr. Falconer. 
Casts of several very interesting specimens presented by the Honoura¬ 
ble Court of Directors of the India Company, numerous specimens 
(including the skull of the Elephas Namadicus') presented by Charles 
Frazer, Esq., and others presented by Colonel Burney and by Major 
Baker, Bengal Engineers, have contributed to perfect the extensive 
series of mammalian remains here exhibited. The most striking 
specimen—the skull of the Elephas Ganesa —which is placed in the 
middle of the room, is the gift of the last-mentioned gentleman. 
A very interesting object is the cast of the skeleton of the Mega¬ 
therium, a genus of Edentata established by Cuvier from the only 
species known, the Megatherium Americanum of Blumenbach, (Me¬ 
ga th. Cuvieri or Cuverii of later writers): the bones from which the 
casts of the several parts were taken are preserved partly in the 
Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, and partly in cases near 
the skeleton. 
At the west end of the Room is the fossil human skeleton , embedded 
in limestone, brought from Guadaloupe, by Admiral the Hon. Sir 
Alexander Cochrane, and presented to the British Museum by the 
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 
On either side of this skeleton are arranged various mammalian re¬ 
mains, found in caverns; the case to the right of the centre is occupied 
with remains from the caverns of Kirkdale, in Yorkshire, and from the 
cavern called “ Kents Hole,” at Torquay, Devonshire, together with 
specimens from the caverns of Gaileureuth, in Franconia; and the 
specimens arranged in the Case on the left are from the caverns of 
Minas Geraes, in Brazil. 
C. KONIG. 
Jan. 18, 185L 
