312 SYNOPSIS OF THE VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE rUERCO SERIES. 



above to the line of the front of the second superior incisor, by a wide sutural sur- 

 face. The superior process of the premaxillary bone is short, not extending posterior to 

 the vertical line of the posterior face of the superior canine tooth. A small foramen, 

 perhaps the infraorbital, issues above the second tooth posterior to the canine. Ex- 

 terior to the third tooth that follows the canine, the external face of the maxillary 

 bone spi-eads outwards as though forming the malar process, and that this is the case 

 is rendered probable by its smooth superior surface, which is the inferior orbital bol- 

 der. Just anterior to the orbital border, a large foramen from the maxillary antrum 

 perforates the maxillary bone. The two teeth in the maxillary bone are injured, but 

 the anterior has a conical crown and a single root, while the crown and Ixise of the 

 second are widened a little transversely. I can find no superior true molars in the 

 collection. 



The mandibular rami are remarkable for the shortness of the dentary portion, and 

 the elevation and width of the coronoid process. Tlie condyle is elevated above the 

 alveolar border of the lower jaw, when the inferior border of the ramus is horizontal. 

 The ramus increases in depth anteriorly, as in Tseniodonta, to accommodate the large 

 anterior teeth. The inferior border is straight and compressed, and the posterior 

 border is gently concave to a short rectangular angle, which does not extend poste- 

 riorly to the line of the base of the condyle. It is therefore much less prominent 

 than in Creodonta generally, resembling in this respect the Tseniodonta. There are 

 four alveoli for single-rooted molars, and apparently another one in front of the ante- 

 rior one of the four. This would give seven molars, the first true molar having the 

 form of a premolar ; but the distribution of the teeth is not quite certain. As already 

 described, the heel of these premolariform teeth is partly internal.' The first true 

 molar may be one of these simple teeth. The second has two roots, and the crown 

 is about as wide as long. The crown consists of an anterior portion, which is slightly 

 elevated above a posterior heel. The superior face of the crown is worn by mastica- 

 tion so that its construction is not evident, but there is no trace of a division between 

 fourth and fifth tubercles, so that I suspect that the latter did not exist. It is not 

 j)robable that there were well-marked cusps on the heel. 



The parietal region of the skull is very much compressed, and the sides slope 

 regularly upwards to the elevated sagittal crest. The temporal ridge is an oblique 

 angular line of the surface, and the frontal regiou is flat. No other parts of the skull 

 are preserved. 



Measurements of Skull. M. 



DepUi of maxillary bono at ]). in. iv 038 



" " nasal " "canine 031 



Length of maxillary boiiu to orbital border 045 



