318 



CARNIVORA 



Skull. — The skull is much smaller than that of Can!.s lupus. 

 In form it differs slightly in the less elevated frontal region and 

 somewhat more inflated auditory bullae. 



Teeth. — While agreeing with those of Canis lupus in general 



form and in the position of the cusps, the teeth 



are on the whole more trenchant in character, as 



shown by the general tendency toward narrowness 



of crown and prominence of ridges. This is 



particularly noticeable in the upper molars, in 



which the large cusps are relatively higher, more 



slender, and less terete than in Canis lupus, their 



cutting ridges much more developed ; transverse 



diameter of metacone in m^ noticeably less than 



width of inner portion of crown ; cingulum on 



outer border of both upper molars wide and 



conspicuous in contrast with narrow cusps, 



Fig. 62. showing no tendency to become obsolete in 



Canis aureus, region between paracone and metacone. Lower 



^*chee ™teeuf'^ carnassial with metaconid actually as well as 



Nat. size. relatively larger than in Canis lupus, and posterior 



heel with area equal to nearly half that of anterior 



portion of tooth, its cusps strongly developed. 



Measurements. — For cranial measurements see Table, p. 316. 



Specimens examined^ — One from Greece (Piraeus) ; numerous others 

 frora Asia Minor and India. 



Remarls. — The single specimen from Greece agrees sufficiently 

 with a series of five from Khotz, near Ti'ebizond, Asia JNIinor, 

 to make it appear vmwise, in the absence of more satisfactory 

 material, to use one of the Balkan names. 



1. Pirccus, Greece. (C. Mottaz.) Hon. N. C. Eoths- 8. 10. 2. 49-50. 



child (p). _ 



Genus ALOPEX Kaup. 



1829. Alopex Kaup, Entw.-Gesch. uud Natiirl. Syst. Europ. Thierw., i, 



p. 83. 

 1857. Leiicocyon Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc, London, p. 512. 



Type species. — Canis lagopus Linna?us. 



Geographical distribution. — Arctic region of both Old and New 

 Worlds ; in Europe south to southern Norway and Sweden. 



Characters. — Skull intermediate in general form between that 

 of Canis and Vulpes ; occipital depth about one-third condylo- 

 basal length ; interorbital region more elevated than in Vulpes 

 owing to greater inflation of the frontal sinuses ; postorbital 

 processes thin, flat or slightly concave above, with bead-like, 

 overhanging edges ; dorsal profile of forehead rising abruptly 



