AT MOLONG.

At Molong, 36 miles east of Wellington Valley, I found some concreted matter within a small cavity of limestone rock on the surface and, when broken, this proved to be also breccia containing fragments of bone.

SHATTERED STATE OF THE BONES.

It was very difficult to obtain any perfect specimens of the remains contained in the breccia—­the smallest of the various portions brought to England have nevertheless been carefully examined by Professor Owen at the Hunterian Museum, and I have received from that distinguished anatomist the accompanying letter containing the result of those researches and highly important determinations by which he has established several points of the greatest interest as connected with the Natural History of the Australian continent.

IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES BY PROFESSOR OWEN.

Royal College of Surgeons, May 8th, 1838.

Dear Sir,

I have examined, according to your request, the fossil remains which you discovered in Wellington Valley, Australia, and which are now deposited in the Museum of the Geological Society; they belong to the following genera: 

GIGANTIC FOSSIL KANGAROOS.

MACROPUS Shaw.

Sp. 1.  Macropus atlas.  O. This must have been at least one-third larger than Macropus major, the largest known existing species:  it is chiefly remarkable for the great size of its permanent spurious molar; in which respect it approaches the subdivision of Shaw’s genus, called Hypsiprymnus by Illiger.  The remains of this species consist of a fragment of the right ramus of the lower jaw. (I*) Figure 1 Plate 47.

(Footnote.  The numbers and letters within a parenthesis in this letter refer to labels on the specimens.)

Sp. 2.  Macropus titan.  O. I gave this name to an extinct species, as large as the preceding, but differing chiefly in the smaller size of the permanent spurious molar; which in this respect more nearly corresponds with the existing Macropus major.  The remains of this species consist of a fragment of the right ramus of the lower jaw. (II) Figure 3 Plate 47.

In both the above specimens the permanent false molar is concealed in its alveolus, and was discovered by removing part of the substance of the jaw, indicating the nonage of the individuals.

A portion of cranium with the molar series of teeth of both sides. (II) Figures 4 and 5 Plate 47.  This specimen I believe to belong to Macropus titan.

The permanent false molar, which is also concealed in this upper jaw, is larger than that of the lower jaw of Macropus titan, but I have observed a similar discrepancy in size in the same teeth of an existing species of Macropus.

To one or other of the two preceding gigantic species of kangaroo must be referred: 

II.a.  Crown of right inferior incisor, Figure 6 Plate 47.

II.b.  Lower extremity of right femur.