CANID^. 921 



otic bailee ; (3) the long paroccipital process directed backwards and in 

 contact with the bulla at its base ; (4) the absence of lateral fossae of the 

 basioccipital bone. 



The skull is rather elongate, the elongation being behind the anterior 

 border of the orbits. In profile the front is convex, and the top of the 

 muzzle subhorizontal. The premaxillary border is only moderately promi- 

 nent, and the sides of the muzzle are convex. The interorbital region is 

 convex transversely, and the postorbital processes are small, but rather 

 pinched, so as to be rather acute. Above the cephalic contraction behind 

 these, the temporal ridges rapidly converge to a low sagittal ridge, which 

 only rises into a crest when it extends backwards to join the inion. The 

 lateral occipital crests are quite prominent and project a good deal posteriorly, 

 giving the occiput a narrower outline than that seen in G. gregarius. It is 

 not interrupted in its course into the suprameatal crest, as is the case in the 

 coyote. The protuberance for the vermis is distinct. The posttympanic 

 process is inconsiderable and is truncate below, inclosing a fossa between 

 it and the bulla. The basioccipital presents a median longitudinal angle, 

 which disappears between the middles of the bullae. Basisphenoid nearly 

 plane. Postglenoid processes large, the posterior border very oblique 

 downwards and forwards. The zygomata do not exhibit much lateral con- 

 vexity, and the postorbital angle is distinct. The rami of the lower jaw 

 have been under vertical pressure, so that their inferior edges are a little 

 flattened. The symphysis extends as far back as the middle of the second 

 premolar. The inferior border of the jaw begins to rise gradually opposite 

 the posterior cusps of the first inferior tubercular molar, and continues with 

 less obliquity into the long and rather narrow angle, which is not incurved, 

 and which extends as far posteriorly as a vertical line from the condyle. 

 The coronoid process is rather broad, and is considerably more elevated 

 above the condyle tha;i the latter is above the angle. The masseteric fossa 

 is well defined all round below the coronoid process, better at the anterior 

 inferior angle than the wolf, coyote, or red fox. 



Sutures and foramina. — The surface of the cranium is nmch fractured, 

 although it preserves its general form. Hence the sutures are not easily 

 observed. The frontomaxillary has the usual upward ai'ch, and incloses a 



