CREODONTA. 351 



known with certainty. (Plate xxix a, fig. 1.) Tlie scaphoid and kinar are 

 distinct. The former exhibits proximally the inner tuberosity, then a shght 

 concavity, and then the convexity for the radius, and then it is obhquely 

 truncated so as to give a general rhomboid outline. Beneath there are but 

 two facets, the inner for the magnum the deepest, and divided lengthwise by 

 the truncation of the bone. The larger facet fits correctly the 0.0. trapezium 

 and trapezoides. The lunar preserved, lacks the posterior extremity. It 

 has a short anterior or external face, and a very convex proximal one, with 

 a subquadrate cross-section at its greatest convexity, whicli is near its mid- 

 dle Below it presents the usual two facets, the one more concave than 

 the other, and soon cutting off the latter, meeting the internal facet behind 

 it. The upper face is convex. The cuneiform is large and concave length- 

 wise above, for the narrow extremity of the ulna. Below, it has a large 

 concave facet for the unciform. The pisiform is of unusual size, and is as 

 stout as the largest metacai'pus, and nearly half as long as the outer (5th) 

 metacarpal. It articulates with a thick V-shaped facet of the cuneiform. 

 Its extremity is obtuse and expanded. The trapezium is large and is 

 attached to its metacarpus laterally, sending a process downwards poste- 

 riorly. It supports a narrow articular surface for a rudimental first meta- 

 carpus, which is not preserved, but which could not have been larger than 

 that of the spotted hyena. The trapezoid is smaller and of a triangular out- 

 line, with the base forwards. The magnum is a rather small bone, articula- 

 ting as usual with the metatarsals 2 and H. It is depressed in front. The 

 unciform is a large bone with a considerable external anterior surface. 

 Two-thirds of its upper surface is in contact with the cuneiform, the 

 remaining part projecting upwards with convex face to unite with the 

 lunare. Below, it supports metatarsals 4 and 5. 



There were probably four digits of the fore foot, the pollex being very 

 rudimental. The propoitions are stouter than in the dogs and hyenas, but 

 not so much so as in the bears. The proximal extremities of the metacar- 

 pals interlock as in the hyenas, and much more than in the dogs. The 

 external side of each is excavated to receive an oblique facet of the one 

 adjoining, as in Protopsalis ; but there is no abrupt prominence as in tlie 

 cats. The phalanges have a length similar to that seen in some bears, 



