396 ORDERS OF MAMMALIA. 



the Miocene Tertiary of Western Europe, we meet with 

 species of the existing genera Mitstela (Weasels) and Lutra 

 (Otters), together with the extinct PromepJiitis and Palceo- 

 mephitis, and the Otter-like Fotamothermm. In the same 

 deposits are found the transitional types Lutridis and Taxo- 

 don ; the former intermediate between the Martens and the 

 Civets, with affinities to the Otters ; while the latter has 

 relationships with both the Otters and the Badgers. Lastly, 

 in the Upper Miocene of the Siwalik Hills in India we have 

 species of Otter {Lutra), and the related but extinct genus 

 Eiihj/driodon. 



The second family of the Semi-plantigrade Carnivores is 

 that of the Viverridcc, the Civets and Genettes. They are 

 all of moderate size, with sharp muzzles and long tails, and 

 more or less striped, or banded, or spotted. The carnassial 

 molar is trenchant; the canines are long, sharp, and pointed; 

 and the tongue is roughened by numerous prickly papilhe. 

 The last two upper molars and the last lower molar are 

 tubercular. The claws are semi-retractile, and the pupils 

 can contract, on exposure to light, till they resemble a mere 

 line. 



The Viverridm appear to commence in the Eocene Tertiary, 

 being represented in deposits of this age in Europe by the 

 genera Tylodon and Palcconydis, and in North America by 

 Viverravus. In the Lower Miocene of Europe occurs the 

 extinct genus Froviverra ; and the researches of Gaudry 

 have thrown an interesting light upon the Viverrine Idi- 

 theriuvi, from the Upper Miocene deposits of Attica. In 

 this genus, thougli the upper jaw resembles that of the true 

 Civets in possessing two tubercular molars behind the carnas- 

 sial (lig. 675), the hindmost of these is of small size, and 

 sometimes almost rudimentary, thus approximating to the 

 type of the Hytenas, in which this tooth is altogether want- 

 ing. The hind-feet, further, have only four toes. Of latei 

 forms, we may note the Gcdecyiius of the Pliocene of (Eningen, 

 in Switzerland, which seems to be intermediate between the 

 Civets and the Dogs. 



Forming a transition between the Viverridcc and the Fdidce 

 is the family of the Hywnidce, distinguished by the fact that. 



