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Show 600 DR. J. ANDERSON ON MUSTELA SUBPALMATA. [June 1, Whether the possibility that mammals may secondarily develop a practically unlimited number of teeth has any bearing at all on the case of the Cetacea, w e are not at present prepared to say. But it is evident that the complexity of the Manatee's numerous teeth quite disproves the idea that Mammal-teeth cannot be at the same time both numerous and complex-an idea on which the theory that cetacean teeth are the separated portions of a smaller number of complicated teeth was very largely based. That the same theory in another form may still be true-viz., that they are the separated cusps of Seal-like or Zeuglodon-like teeth highly developed and then separated by hypsodontism,-we are not at present disposed to deny. Erom what is said above, it will be evident that we think the multiplicity of the teeth in the Cetaceans has in any case an entirely different origin to that in the Sirenians and does not indicate any unsuspected affinity between them. In fact we still think that the probabilities are on the whole in favour of a Carnivorous origin for the Cetacea, and an Ungulate one for the Sirenia. In any case, whatever bearing the secondary development of a continuous and indefinite multiplication of teeth may have on general problems of tooth-evolution, the mere fact itself is sufficiently interesting to be recorded. EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXXVI. Fig. 1. Young lower jaw of African Manatee, showing teeth 2 to 5. 2. Somewhat older jaw of same, with teeth 5 to 10. 3. Still older jaw of same, with teeth 9 to 13. 4. Very old jaw of same, with teeth 12 to 19. 5. Very young lower jaw of Amazonian Manatee, showing the first six teeth. June 1, 1897. Dr. A. G C N T H E R , E.B.S., V.E., in the Chair. A communication was read from Dr. John Anderson, E.E.S., who sent for exhibition a coloured drawing of the Egyptian Weasel (Mustela subpalmata), accompanied by the following remarks:- "The three examples of the Egyptian Weasel now living in the Society's Gardens were obtained in Lower Egypt, but the exact locality where they were caught I shall not know until Mr. Birdwood arrives in this country, I hope, about the middle of June. " O n two previous occasions living examples of this species captured for m e have unfortunately died on their way to this country. " I have made many enquiries about the Weasel in different parts of Egypt, during m y frequent visits to that country, and as it is familiar to the natives by its well-known name Ersa, there can be no question that they clearly understood the animal I had in view. M y informants have been unanimous in saying that it frequents houses, and that it is found not only in villages and towns throughout Lower Egypt, but even in the cities of Cairo and Alexandria. |
