CANIS. 123 



former, which not only affect the external contour but to a still 

 greater degree the shape of the anterior part of the cranial cavity. 

 It is to the first of these series that the Australian species belongs. 

 Thooid forms are not found in Africa or South America. 



Family I. 



Characters similar to those of the Group of which this is the 

 only family. 



Genus I. CANIS, Linnaus (1766). 



Pupil, when contracted, round in some species, elliptical and 

 vertical in others. Limbs of moderate proportions. Tail gener- 

 ally forming a moderate brush. Mammae generally ten, more 

 rarely eight. Teeth powerful. 



Dentition. I. f, C. \, P. *, M. |, x 2 = 42. 



Flower and Lydekker (Introduction to the Study of Mammals 

 living and extinct, p. 546) remark: "The absence of the last 

 upper molar (ra 3 ) alone distinguishes this from the generalised 

 dentition of heterodonts, and this tooth is occasionally present in 

 one species (C. cancrivorus ). In certain Asiatic species (C. 

 primcevus and its allies) which on this account have been separated 

 to form the genus Cyon of Hodgson, the last lower molar (m 3 ) 

 appears to be constantly absent." The first permanent premolar 

 in both jaws is without a milk-predecessor, and in the upper jaw 

 is decidedly smaller than the second. 



Distribution. Cosmopolitan. 



1. CANIS DINGO, Blumenbach (1780). 

 Warrigal ; Dingo ; Native Dog. 



Of this too well known animal it is hardly necessary to give a 

 description, more especially as it is the only terrestrial Carnivore 

 existing in a wild state on Australian soil ; nevertheless, the 

 remarks of Prof. St. George Mivart on the subject may be suitably 

 reproduced here. He writes : 



" The Dingo varies in its coloration from red to black. There 

 is a grayish underfur, but, save in the black variety, the long 

 hairs are generally yellow or whitish. The top of the head and 

 dorsal region generally are of a darker reddish-yellow, often 

 intermixed with black. The underparts are paler and may be 

 whiteish. The end of the tail is very often white, as are frequently 



