CHAP. XVII.] 



MAMMALIA. 



197 



Idifherium, supposed to be intermediate between Viverridee and 

 Hysenidae ; and Thalassictis, uniting the weasels and hygenas. 



Family 28.— CANID^. (3 Genera, 17 Sub-Genera, 54 Species.) 

 General Distribution. 



The Canidse, comprising the animals commonly known as 

 dogs, wolves, and foxes, have an almost universal range over 

 the earth, being only absent from the island sub-regions of 

 Madagascar, the Antilles, Austro-Malaya, New Zealand, and the 

 Pacific Islands. With the exception of two remarkable forms — 

 the hyaina dog {Lycaon pida), and the great-eared fox {Megalotis 

 Lalandei), both from South Africa — all the species are usually 

 placed in the genus Canis, the distribution of which will be the 

 same as that of the family. Dr. J. E. Gray, in his arrangement 

 of the family (Proc. Zool. Soc, 1868), subdivides it into fifteen 

 genera, the names and general distribution of which are as 

 follows : — 



Idicyon (1 species), Brazil; Cuon (4 species), Siberia to 

 Java ; Lupus (5 species), North America, Europe, India to 

 Ceylon ; Dieha (1 species). North and West Africa ; Simenia 

 (1 species), Abyssinia ,• Chrysocyon (2 species). North and South 

 America ; Canis (4 species), India, Australia (indigenous ?) 

 Lycalopex (2 species). South America; Pseudalopex (5 species). 

 South America and Falkland Islands ; Thous (2 species). South 

 America to Chili ; Vulpes (17 species), aU the great continents, 

 except South America and Australia ; Fennecus (4 species), all 

 Africa ; Leucocyon (1 species), Arctic regions ; Urocyon (2 species), 

 North America ; Nydereutes (1 species), Japan, Amoorland to Can- 

 ton (Plate III., vol. i. p. 226). These are all sub-genera according 

 to Professor Cams, except Idicyon. The same author makes 

 Lycaon a sub-genus, while Dr. Gray makes it a sub-family ! 

 - Extind Species.— The dog, wolf, and fox, are found fossil in 



