347 



that of canine, its crown higher than in the other incisors, 

 owing to lower insertion of root, but extremity of cutting edge 

 not extending beyond level of smaller teeth ; laterally the cutting 

 edge is continued down outer-posterior margin of shaft where it 

 functions against lower canine. Lower incisors not so large as 

 upper, forming a continuous, nearly straight row between 

 cauiiaes, the shafts straight, sloping obliquely forward, the root 

 of 1.2 implanted behind the others ; cutting edge irregularly 

 2-lobed, that of i^ longer than the others. Canines rather short 

 and weak, the shaft simple, that of upper tooth nearly straight, 

 that of lower tooth strongly curved backward, the enamel surface 

 of both essentially smooth, though that of lower canine shows 

 indications of a rudimentary cingulum in front. Anterior 

 premolar both above and below a minute or spicular tooth closely 

 crowded between canine and 

 second premolar, pm^ early 

 deciduous, pvii usually more 

 persistent. Second premolars 

 similar to each other, the crown 

 area about equal to that of P, 

 the outline irregularly oval when 

 viewed from above, the cusp 

 about as high as long, its apex 

 sHghtly in front of middle of 

 crown ; rootof each tooth single, 

 that of pm.T, showing a tendency 

 to become divided longitudi- 

 nally. Other small premolars 

 (pm^, pvi^ and j^^'^i) alike in form, 

 the crowns laterally compressed, 

 triangular when viewed from 

 the side, with apex slightly in 

 front of middle, jj)«^ and pm^ 

 nearly alike in size, prii^ some- 

 what longer ; cingulum very slightly developed, not forming 

 secondary cusps. Upper carnassial triangular in outline, the 

 posterointernal border longest ; outer, trenchant portion of teeth 

 consisting of a main anterior cusp resembling ^jjh^ in size and form, 

 joined by a nearly horizontal commissure to a moderately high 

 posterior cusp ; cingulum low but bearing three distinct secondary 

 cusps, one at anterior base of main cusp, one (sometimes obsolete) 

 near middle of antero-internal border, and the third and largest 

 at middle of posterointernal border. Lower carnassial with 

 anterior triangle well developed, the three cusps sub-equal in 

 height, the metaconid subterete, the protoconid more compres.sed 

 than paraconid, its commissure slightly longer than that of the 

 anterior cusp ; crushing portion of crown longer and wider than 

 anterior triangle, its inner portion occupied by a large basin-like 

 concavity, its border with two large cusps on outer edge (of 



Fig. 71. 

 Meles meles. Teeth. 



