31G THE WASATCH FAUNA. 



is wide and flat, and its posterior external thin edge is prominent proximad 

 to the spine. The latter is an nnimportant angle a considerable distance 

 beyond tlie line of the acetabulum. In Dkleljihi/s and Sarcophilus it is want- 

 ing, while in Phascolardos and nearly all forms of Carnivora it is near the 

 posterior line of the acetabulum. The only exception I find is in the Viver- 

 ridce, where a Herpestes has it in much tlie same position as in Oxycena. 

 The superior border is, however, not expanded. 



The middle of the shaft of the femur is wanting in all our specimens 

 of this genus. The proximal portion of that of 0. morsitam, is wide and 

 flat, and has a large great trochanter about equal in elevation to the head, 

 which does not inclose a deep or large fossa. The fossa for the ligamentum 

 teres is at the fundus of a deep emargination of the rim of the head. The 

 distal part of the femur is flattened as in Amhlyctonus, and the patellar groove 

 is not elevated as in Stypolophus viverrinus, but wide, although less so than 

 in the Bears. The head of the tibia displays a spine and median groove, 

 but the crest is not prominent. 



The distal end of the tibia exhibits the ungrooved astragalar surface of 

 the other Oxycenidce, with abruptly projecting internal malleolus. Its border 

 is less regular than in other genera described. The outer extremity is nar- 

 rowed, and gives rise to a longitudinal external ridge of the lower part of the 

 shaft, and there is a tuberosity on the posterior and one on the inner side of 

 the lower extremity. The posterior as well as the anterior astragalar border 

 is angulate at the base of the malleolar process. Tlie tendinous grooves are 

 shallow. 



The astragalus is like that of Sarcophilus and different from that of 

 Didclphjs and Phascolardos in the absence of the oblique fibular facet, 

 which is here vertical and lateral. The trochlea is slightly concave above, 

 and the malleolar facet does not present so oblique a face as in Didymictis. It 

 dillers from the marsupial genera, and resembles the carnivorous in its 

 large neck and head. The proximal part of the calcaneum displays the 

 usual two astragalar facets well separated. It is remarkable for the obliquity 

 of the facet for the cuboid, which presents upward as well as forward (when 

 ill the .supine position). The calcaneum is wide, especially in its postero- 

 iuferior face, and the ))Osterior free portion is narrow and oblique, indicating 

 !t plantigrade habit. Its flatness exceeds that in Ursus arctos, and the ex- 



