EXTINCT CIVETS AND MUwGOCSES. 295 



cnce of a glenoid cavity near the socket for the articulation of the 

 lower jaw, affiliate it to the Mustelidce, with which, as we have 

 seen, it agrees in the number of its teeth. The teeth them- 

 selves have a marked resemblance to those of the Linsangs, the 

 upper molar lacking the expansion of its inner half so charac- 

 teristic of the Mustelidce. It does not appear to have been 

 ascertained whether there is a partition in the auditory bulla of 

 the skull. 



The genus is represented by two species, P. mutabilis and P, 

 simplex, from the Upper Eocene (Oligocene) Phosphorites of 

 France, both of which may be compared in size to the smaller 

 Ichneumons. 



VII. GENUS STENOPLESICTIS. 



Stenoplesictis, Filhol, Comptes Rendus, vol. xci. p. 346 (1880). 



In this genus, which is also represented by two species 

 (S. cayluxi and S. minor) from the French Phosphorites, the 

 second upper molar is present, and of larger size than in those 

 specimens of Palceoprionodon, in which it is developed at all, 

 while in the lower carnassial tooth the inner cusp is larger than 

 in the latter. The auditory bulla is stated to possess a complete 

 partition. 



By means of certain other forms from the French Phosphor- 

 ites, for which the names Haplogale and Stenogale have been 

 proposed, Palceoprionodon and Stenoplesictis are so intimately 

 connected with undoubted Weasels like the Tertiary Plesictis, 

 that it is quite impossible to determine where the Viverridcz 

 really end and the Mustelidce commence. 



In conclusion, it may be mentioned that the Lower Tertiaries 

 of North America have yielded remains of certain genera of 

 primitive Carnivora known as Miacis and Didymictis, which 

 appear not only to connect the Viverridce very closely with 

 the Canidce, but likewise to indicate a transition from both to 

 the still more primitive Creodont Carnivora, 



