Description of teeth of a large extinct (Marsupial?) genus, sceparnodon Ramsay

Abstract

In this paper the author describes teeth of a new genus of Mammal, representing a species of the size of the Thylacoleo or Nototherium , specimens of which teeth have been discovered in three distinct and remote localities in Australia. In shape the teeth resemble the scalpriform incisors of the upper jaw of the in the microscopic structure of the dentine there is a nearer resemblance to that in the incisor of the large extinct form of wombat ( Phascolomus ). Figures of the teeth, and of their dentinal structure magnified, are appended to the text. The author remarks that the first indication of since restored species, e. g ., of the Diprotodon , as a large extinct Marsupial, was a portion of a tooth, and corresponding accessions of fossil remains may be expected to lead to a like reconstruction of the present animal. He is indebted to E. P. Ramsay, Esq., F. L. S., for casts of the first found specimens of the teeth in question to which the transmitter had appended the name; subsequently the author received, through the kindness of C. H. Hartman, Esq., of Toonromba, Queensland, a large portion of the tooth itself.