The Medals of Creation, Volumes 1 and 2 / First Lessons in Geology and the Study of Organic Remains

by Gideon Algernon Mantell

Lign. 250. Teeth of Zeuglodon: ¹/₂ nat.
Eocene. France and N. America.

Fig.	1.—	Upper tooth of Z. squalodon; from near Bordeaux.
	2.—	Molar tooth of Z. cetoides; from Alabama, United States.
	3.—	Canine tooth of Z. cetoides.

The teeth ([Lign. 250]) are of two kinds, some having but one fang, and others two, implanted in separate sockets and placed obliquely in the jaw; they are of a compressed, conical form, with an obtuse apex, the crown being deeply conjugate, or contracted in the middle, as shown in the transverse section, [Lign. 249], fig. 2. They are devoid of enamel, but the dentine is coated with cement, and their structure is decidedly mammalian; and a microscopical examination, Professor Owen states, incontestably proves their cetacean character. The longitudinal diameter of the middle tooth is three inches.

The vertebræ resemble those of the large cetacean known by the name of Hyperoodon; a caudal vertebra is figured [Lign. 249], fig. 3. The original animal was related to the Dugong and Cacholot, and appears to have held an intermediate place between the latter and the herbivorous species.

FOSSIL RUMINANTS.