MERYCHYUS 



223 



Specific Characters: The skull is low and smaller than in most of the species in this genus. 

 It is considerably arched along the superior contour. The zygomata are weak and rise gradually aft 

 from about mid-length. The maximum expansion is opposite the glenoid surface. The malar is 



A.M.I38I7 



Fig. 162. — Merychyus cur/us Loomis. 



Skull and jaw. HT. Cat. No. 1 38 1 7 A.M.N. H. 1/2 nat. size. 

 (After Loomis, 1924.) 



well developed beneath the orbit but not unusually so. The facial vacuity is small and narrow and is 

 horizontally placed above the deep antorbital fossa. The nasals are rounded posteriorly, with the 

 width increasing just back of the narial opening. They are nearly straight anteroposteriorly and 

 convex transversely. The lacrimal bone is of good size, extending well in advance of the orbit. 



A.M.138I7 



163. — Merychyus curtus Loomis. Superior and inferior dentition. 



(After Loomis, 1924.) 



HT. Cat. No. 13817 A.M.N.H. Nat. size. 



The frontals are of medium width, markedly convex above the orbits, and slightly concave medially. 

 The orbits are nearly round and are large, emphasizing the shortness of the face in front of them. 

 The temporal ridges are low and unite well aft above the glenoid surfaces to form a short, low 

 sagittal crest. The supraoccipital crest also is low, with a small amount of overhang, and the wings 

 are well apart. The brain case is well developed but low. The external auditory meatus is in the 

 main backwardly directed, with a very slight upward trend. The palate is wide and somewhat con- 



