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Show 122 MISS DOROTHY M. A. BATE ON [June 16, extinct mammals, and partly with earth and rubbish that had filtered down through the cracks in the rocks above. This accounted for the fact that the fossils in question, which are probably of the same age as Hippopotamus minutus, were found together with many teeth and bones of the Goat, several small rodents, and other recent species. On comparing the left mandibular ramus (PI. X. fig. 2), it appears to be that of a carnivore nearly allied to Genetta genetta, which is still found living on the opposite shores of Palestine. On the other hand, it presents many similarities to Plesictis croizeli of the Oligocene deposits of France, a mandible of which was originally figured by M . Pomel from a specimen found in the Department of Allier (Bull. Soc. Geol. France, t. iv., 1846-47, p. iv). A more perfect lower jawbone was procured by Dr. Forsyth Major from the same deposit, and both are now in the collection of the British Museum. The genus Plesictis is variously placed by different authors-by some among the Viverridce and by others among the Muslelidce. In a work published in 1853 *, M . Pomel places Plesictis with the Viverridce, while Mr. Lydekker, in the ' Catalogue of Fossil Mammalia' (Brit. Mus. i. p. 183), includes the genus among the Mustelidce, at the same time saying that" In the above mentioned general characters the genus indicates viverrine tendencies, and the transition to the extinct Stenoplesictis is so gradual that the viverrine and musteline families are practically united by the two genera." The Cyprus fossil agrees with, and at the same time differs from, both G. genetta and P. croizeti, and that so impartially, that it is a matter of extreme difficulty to decide with which group it ought most properly to be associated. The scanty material adds to this uncertainty, which would probably be removed were the skull and upper dentition of this species known. However, in consideration of its much more recent age compared with that of the Oligocene fossil, it is proposed, at all events for the present, to include it among the Genets under the name of GENETTA PLESICTOIDES, sp. n. (Plate X. figs. 2-6.) The mandibular ramus is intermediate in size between those of G. genetta (PI. X. fig. 1) and P. croizeti (PI. X. fig. 7), being more robust than that of the former and slightly less so than that of the latter. The anterior margin of the inner aspect of the coronoid process is somewhat deeply excavated, a feature which is found in neither of the last-mentioned species. The three posterior premolars and first molar are considerably worn; the small anterior premolar is rather damaged and its shape consequently uncertain ; while the second molar is absent, though the clearly defined alveolus shows it to have been furnished with a single root. The lower carnassial is distinguished from that of P. croizeti, G. genetta, and other Viverridce in the area between the three * Cat. Vert. Foss. .. . de la Loire, etc. (Paris, 1853). |