The proximal end of the femur of a large rodent has already been recognised by Roth, and compared with the extinct Megamys. It cannot be more exactly determined.
Existing Species.
One imperfect fragment of pelvis and sacrum seems to belong to a puma (Felis concolor) of rather large size; but it is not sufficient for precise determination.
The small mandibular ramus of a musteline referred by Dr. Roth to Mephitis suffocans, does not pertain to this genus and species. Mr. Oldfield Thomas determines it to belong to the rare Lyncodon patagonicus, which still lives in Patagonia and has not hitherto been found fossil. A slightly larger extinct species of the same genus has been described by Ameghino on the evidence of a skull from the Pampean formation near Lujan, in the Province of Buenos Aires.[62]
A cranium, some vertebræ, and a tibia and fibula appear to represent the existing Ctenomys magellanicus, as noted by Roth.
The remains of the Guanaco (Lama huanacos) do not present any features worthy of special remark.
Man is represented by a diseased scapula and by two bone awls, which are clearly made from the tibia of a species of Canis intermediate in size between C. jubatus and C. magellanicus.
3. Relative Age of the Remains.
As the result of Dr. Roth's researches, supplemented by the additional observations now recorded, it is evident that the majority of the mammalian remains from the cavern near Last Hope Inlet belong to the extinct fauna which occurs in the Pampean formation of more northern regions. To this category are referable the genera Grypotherium, Onohippidium, Megamys, and Arctotherium; also Macrauchenia, which is said to have been discovered in the same deposit on the floor of the cave by Dr. E. Nordenskjöld. The large Felis likewise probably belongs to the same series. Remains of mammals of the existing fauna, on the other hand, are comparatively few and insignificant, referable to the genera Ctenomys, Cervus, Lama, Lyncodon, and Felis.