358 



CARNIVORA 



Sometimes the brown is darker and richer than usual, or the 

 drab may be especially pronounced. Occasionally the long hairs 

 of tlie back are a light dull buff, imparting to the animal a 

 peculiar faded appearance. 



Skull. — General form of skull broad and flattened, more so 

 than in any other European carnivore, the depth of brain-case at 

 middle scarcely more than half mastoid width ; the brain-case exces- 

 sively narrowed anteriorly, broad posteriorly and with greatly 



Fig. 73. 

 Lutra hitra. Nat. size. 



developed lambdoid crest, but low though evident sagittal crest ; 

 widely spreading zygomata forming a marked contrast with narrow 

 postorbital region ; rostrum short, deep and robust. Dorsal profile 

 nearly flat throughout, though region in front of middle of post- 

 orbital constriction slopes gradually downward. Owing to depth 

 of rostrum and shallowness of brain-case the dorsal and ventral 

 profiles are approximately parallel. Postorbital processes short 

 but evident, though not forming any con.siderable portion of border 

 of rather large, somewhat upturned orbit, the greatest diameter 



