52 



BULLETIN 171, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



The Cumberland Cave astragalus and calcaneum are of about the 

 same size as in an adult Felis tigris, although the posterior portion of 

 the calcaneum is relatively short and the proximal end is noticeably 

 heavy. The posterior dorsal surface of the calcaneum is not so sharply 



Figure 2Q.— Felis near atroi Leidy, foot bones (U.S.N.M. 12840): a, Astragalus and calcaneum, anterior 

 view; 6, second metacarpal, dorsal and proximal views; c, third metatarsal, dorsal and proximal views; 

 d, fifth metatarsal, dorsal and proximal views. One-half natural size. Cumberland Cave Pleistocene, 

 Maryland. 



keeled as in available specimens examined of either F. tigris or F. leo. 

 The third metatarsal is as large and robust as in specimens of F. 

 tigris, but the fifth metatarsal though fully as long as in the tiger is 

 distinctly slenderer. 



A comparison of the foot elements from Cumberland Cave with 

 those of Felis atrox from Rancho La Brea figured by Merriam and 



