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Show 146 PROF. G. BUSK ON THE TIGERS [Feb. 17, shields. The back has six regular longitudinal ridges of keeled shields, with one or two more or less distinct series of smaller keeled shields on the outside of the six larger ones. The two central keels of the shields are continued down the base of the tail to about the middle; the two lateral series of keeled shields are distinct for thirteen or fourteen cross series to just before the thighs, and at the fourteenth or fifteenth they are continued in a single series on each side of the tail, becoming much enlarged in the middle of the upper part of the tail, and then united into one central series of larger more compressed scales to the end of the tail. The genus Molinia is known from Crocodilus by the dorsal shields being much more irregular. There are generally only two, rarely four, occipital shields, forming a cross line, the outer ones, when present, being smaller. The nuchal disk is formed of six large oblong keeled shields. The dorsal disk is formed of six longitudinal series of keeled scales : the two central series are the largest, but with bluntest keels ; and they are continued to the base of the tail, when the keel becomes obliterated. The two lateral series are irregular, the inner one the largest, and it is continued over the top of the thighs, and down the side of the tail; the outer one is very irregular, interrupted, and with one or two small shields on the outside of it. This genus is at once known by the second series of shields on each side being continued along the side of the tail, and not the second and third on each side uniting and being continued along the side of the tail. CROCODILUS MADAGASCARIENSIS. (Plate XXIII.) The beak slender, elongate, with a slight ridge on each side of the central line, united just behind the nostrils. Sides of the lower jaw pale, with large irregular black spots. C. vulgaris, var., Cuvier, Oss. Foss. p. 44 ; Gray, Haud-list Sh. Rept., p. 135. Specimens " o " and "p." Hab. Madagascar. B.M. There are three specimens of this Crocodile in the British Museum :-two in spirits, one (63. 5.21.4) purchased of the Zoological Society as Crocodilus vulgaris, and one (65. 3. 4. 5) of Mr. Stevens ; also one stuffed 35| in. long (73. 11. 10. 1), purchased of Mr. Higgins, collected by Mr. Lormier, who was lately accidentally burnt to death in Madagascar. 5. Note on the Cranial and Dental Characters of the Northern and Southern Tigers and Leopards of China as affording Marks of their Specific Distinction. By G E O R G E B U S K, V.P.Z.S. [Received February 17, 1874.] (Plates XXIV. & XXV.) Mr. Robert Swinhoe has brought with him from China two Tiger skulls, one of which is, I believe, a unique specimen in Europe of the |
