214 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1889- 



projection of the mastoid processes and their anterior position, the 

 distance between these and the post-glenoid processes is very short 

 hi id forms a deep narrow notch, which lends to this region of the 

 skull an appearance very different from the corresponding part in 

 the cats and civets. 



The occiput is low, and very broad at the base, but narrowing 

 rapidly upwards; it is exceedingly convex, in correspondence with 

 the very advanced position of the mastoids, and consequently much 

 of the occipital surface is visible in the side view of the skull. 

 Above the foramen magnum there is a strong convexity which 

 covers the prominent vermis of the cerebellum. The paroccipital 

 processes are short, almost rudimentary in fact ; they project back- 

 wards and are separated by a considerable interval from the auditory 

 bulla?, as in the mustelines. The mastoid processes are heavy, prom- 

 inent and not in contact with the bulla?. 



Notwithstanding the angle made by the upper contour of the face 

 and cranium, the cranio-facial axis is straight. The base of the 

 cranium is broad and the adenoid cavities of the two sides widely 

 separated from each other, which results in a somewhat unusual 

 arrangement of the foramina. The basi-occipital is not so broad as 

 in the Viverridce, and has sharp prominent edges which abut against 

 the sides of the tympanic bullae and so give the bone a deeply con- 

 cave shape from side to side. The bulla? are very large and were 

 almost certainly divided by an internal septum into two chambers, 

 though whether the chambers are situated one behind the other, as 

 in the Viverridce, or one internal to the other, as in the Felidce, can- 

 not be determined from the material at command, though the exter- 

 nal shape is rather feline. Though the opening into the bulla is 

 quite far removed from the surface, there is no tubular meatus audi- 

 torius other than that formed by the notch between the mastoid and 

 post-glenoid processes. The relation of the bulla? to the mastoid and 

 paroccipital processes recalls that which is found in the bears, save 

 that in Dinietis the latter processes are so small. 



The posterior nares are very long, owing to the fact that the bony 

 palate is not carried back of the molars. In front the opening is 

 broad and its anterior edge is formed by two emarginations of the 

 palatines, separated by a short median spine or angle; in the hinder 

 part of their course the walls of the nares are constricted, giving 

 them a characteristic appearance. The hamular processes of the 

 pterygoids are decidedly more feline than viverrine both in shape and 



