34 



BULLETIN 171, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



lacks the external median rootlet characteristic of the fishers. M^ 

 also is relatively short anteroposteriorly in the martens and the meta- 

 cone is reduced, more so than in M. parapennanti. 



The condyle of the lower jaw in M. parapennanti is relatively narrow 

 transversely and shallower than in the living species examined. A 

 glenoid portion preserved with one of the specimens, U.S.N.M. no. 

 11959, shows a correspondingly narrow glenoid fossa and the post- 

 glenoid process curves well forward along its inner border to form 

 an interlocking joint as in Gulo. In the living species of martens 

 this joint is perfectlj^ liinged but is not completely interlocking. 



Figure 15. — Martes parapennanti Gidley and Gazin: a, Anterior portion of male skull, type specimen 

 (U.S.N.M. no. 8010), lateral view with occlusal view of dentition; 6, right ramus of female mandible, 

 paratype (U.S.N.M. no. 11878), lateral and occlusal views; c, right ramus of female mandible (U.S.N.M. 

 no. 11876), lateral and occlusal views; d, left ramus of male mandible, paratype (U.S.N.M. no. 11877), 

 lateral and occlusal views. Natural size. Cumberland Cave Pleistocene, Maryland. 



Maries diluviana (Cope, 1899) from the Port Kennedy deposit in 

 Pennsylvania has a much shallower jaw, as indicated in the two figured 

 specimens, than male specimens of M. parapennanti with teeth of com- 

 parable size. The depth of the jaw is near that of a female AI. para- 

 pennanti with teeth considerably larger. Moreover, the metaconid 

 of the lower carnassial is apparently better developed in M. diluviana. 

 This is noticeable when comparisons are made with U.S.N.M. no. 12352 

 from Cumberland Cave, which has relatively unworn teeth. There 

 is but a very sUght development of the metaconid on Mi, and this 



