MEGALADAPIS MADAGASCARIENSIS, Forsyth Major, the only species of the genus, presents many marsupial and insectivorous characters and features which show some approach towards the South-American Howlers (_Alouatta_), a specialisation "not in the least," according to Dr. Major, "implying a near relationship, but probably only an adaptation to a corresponding function" implied in the "vocal organs of unusual size," which, he believes, _Megaladapis_ to have possessed. Lemurine characters, however, predominate. In the shape of its molars it is related to _Lepidolemur_, and still more closely to _Microcebus_ and _Chirogale_, while by the characters of its inter-orbital region it approaches to the Sifakas (_Propithecus_) and the extinct _Adapis_. The small diameter of its orbits suggests, according to Dr. Major, that in habits this extinct giant Lemur was diurnal; and from the conformation of its lower jaw "there exists," continues the same distinguished investigator, "a strong assumption that, as in _Alouatta_, it was provided with vocal organs of unusual size." The age of this Howling Lemur, estimated either geologically or by years, cannot be of very great antiquity. Its remains were found associated with those of the giant Moa-like bird, the _Æpyornis_, of Tortoises and Hippopotami, all now extinct, and of Crocodiles still living in the interior lakes of the island. Some of these animals were certainly {114}contemporaneous with the now vanished Dodo and the large flightless Rail (_Aphanapteryx_), both of which were seen alive by Europeans little more than two centuries ago, and it is not improbable that Megaladapis may have been living in the Madagascar forests at the same period. FAMILY LEMURIDÆ (_anteà_, p. 22). In this family, and in its sub-family _Lemurinæ_ (because of its affinities with _Hapalemur_), has to be included a large extinct species from Nossi Vey, in North-west Madagascar. Its fossil remains were recently described (P. Z. S., 1893, p. 532), but not named by Dr. Forsyth Major. They will prove, he believes, when more fully known, to be the type of a new genus. At present, however, owing to their incomplete state, it is not possible to describe the species fully. "The Lemuroid nature of the specimen is at once demonstrated by the great elevation and downward bending of the post-orbital processes ... showing that the osseous ring of the orbit was complete." Unusual for a Lemuroid is the very strong post-orbital constriction of the frontals, a character, however, seen in _Adapis_, an Eocene European form, and in _Hapalemur_. With the latter it agrees in the voluminous cranial and very short facial portion, and the "cuttingly sharp" inferior margin of its post-orbital process. Seen from the side, this fossil cranium is almost vertically truncated behind, as in the skull of _Alouatta_. The region between the eyes is vaulted by underlying air-chambers. FAMILY ANAPTOMORPHIDÆ.