Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T22:49:29.858Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

VI.—On the Occurrence of Ursus ferox in the Pleistocene of Malta

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

Extract

The labours of the late Admiral Spratt, R.N., and of the late Professor Leith Adams, F.B.S., in the cavern deposits of the Maltese Islands were rewarded by the finding of a unique and interesting land fauna, among which were Elephants, Hippopotami, Land-tortoises, gigantic Dormice, and aquatic Birds, the presence of whichinso limited an area was incompatible with the present existing physical conditions of the Islands. While carrying on his work of investigation in a cave in the Zebbug Gorge, Uied el Kbir,in1859, Spratt noticed that many of the remains of Elephants that were exhumed presented the appearance of having been fiercely gnawed, and later on when Adams was excavating the Mnaidra gap it was observed that many of the elephantine remains were in a similar condition.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1893

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

page 67 note 1 Proc. Geol. Soc. vol. xxiii. p. 288.Google Scholar

page 67 note 2 In a collection of fossils sent by Capt. Spratt to Dr. Falconer, a small canine of a carnivorous animal of the size of a fox was present.

page 68 note 2 One of these Mr. A. S. Woodward, F.G.S., has determined as belonging to the left side of the mandible of a species of Canis, equalling a wolfinsize.