FOSSIL CARNIVORA 39 
CANIDA, OR Docs. 
The living species of Canidee—Wolves, Coyotes, Foxes—are 
found only in the most recent deposits (Pleistocene). A great 
variety of extinct species is known, some of which are the ances- 
tors of modern forms, while others belong to side branches which 
have not survived. Most remarkable of these side branches were 
the Amphicyons or Bear-like Dogs, some of which were of huge 
size, equalling the modern Polar Bear—see skull and backbone 
of Dinocyon in wall-case No. 8. A large series of skulls of vari- 
FIG. 15. SKULL OF DINOCYON 
A gigantic extinct dog from the Upper Miocene of Texas. One-fourth natural size 
ous extinct Dogs of the Oligocene and Miocene epochs is shown 
in the table-case. These indicate the evolution of the modern 
species from animals much more like the Civets in proportions 
and in the character of their teeth. It has been possible to trace 
out the probable direct lineage of at least two of the modern 
dogs, the Dhole of India, and certain South American foxes, 
through these North American fossil species. Other fossil species 
belong to races of Canids now extinct. 
The increase in brain capacity from ancient to modern ani- 
mals is well shown in this series of skulls. All ancient Dogs had 
small brains of inferior organization tc their modern descendants. 
