OCR Text |
Show 1869.] MR. G. BUSK ON FOSSIL REMAINS FROM BORNEO. 409 The following papers were read :- 1. Notice of the Discovery at Sarawak in Borneo of the Fossilized Teeth of Rhinoceros and of a Cervine Ruminant. By G E O R G E B U S K , F.R.S. As the existence of the Rhinoceros in the Island of Borneo is at present a matter of considerable doubt amongst zoologists, the discovery of remains belonging to that genus in the country of Sarawak is one of considerable interest in a zoological point of view. Palseontologically, also, the fact that these remains are in a fossilized or subfossilized condition and associated with the tooth of a probably extinct ruminant renders the discovery one of great interest, if only as affording encouragement to the attempt that it is to be hoped will shortly be made, under the auspices of Mr. Brooke, the present Rajah of Sarawak, to investigate the mammalian palaeontology of that tropical region-an investigation which, if successfully carried out, cannot fail to afford results of the highest interest. As regards the existence of a Rhinoceros in Borneo at the present time, the question must be regarded as quite an open one. In the opinion of some (amongst whom, I believe, I may cite Mr. Wallace), and certainly in that of Mr. Brooke, the existence of a Bornean Rhinoceros is by no means improbable, although perhaps limited to the northern parts of the island. It is certainly not now found in the Sarawak country ; but the present specimens are amply sufficient to show that it existed there at some former period. It should, moreover, be stated that some direct evidence, were it fully to be relied upon, has recently been afforded of the presence of Rhinoceros sondaicus in Borneo, in the shape of a very perfect and beautiful skull now in the British Museum, which was purchased as coming from that island; but as this testimony rests, so far as I am aware, solely upon the statement of a dealer, it may not be regarded as of much weight. The evidence I have now to adduce of the former residence of a Rhinoceros in Sarawak is that afforded by two molar teeth, for au opportunity of exhibiting and describing which I am indebted to the kindness of Sir Charles Lyell, to whom they were sent by Mr. Brooke. In a letter to Sir Charles the Rajah states that, " although he has forgotten the exact locality in which the teeth were found, he is able to say positively that they were picked up in the Sarawak country, but whether in a cave or not does not appear." As additional evidence of their provenance I may state that within the last few days Sir Charles Lyell has been informed by Signor Beccari that when he was at Sarawak he was shown some fossils, consisting of the neck-bone and tooth of a pachyderm, and, if he is not mistaken, two teeth of a ruminant, which were not found in a cavern, but in transported strata, formed by the decomposition of basalt, iu the east of Sarawak, where the Chinese are working gold, lt is highly probable, however, that Signor Beccari's memory may have |