198 



OKDEES OF MAMMALIA. 



Pliocene period the genus Hyccna was well represented in 

 Europe, the best known species being the H. hip^Mriomtm of 

 France. Of the Post-Tertiary Hytenas, the best known and 

 most important is the great Cave-hyaena {Hymna spdcca, tig. 

 676). This species in many respects resembles the Hyccna 

 crocuta of South Africa, of which it is probably only a vari- 

 ety ; and it inhabited Britain and the greater part of Europe 

 during the Post-Pliocene period. Its remains often occur 

 in great abundance, and no doubt can be entertained as to 

 its having survived into the human period. 



The next family is tliat of the Cunida:, comprising the 

 Dogs, Wolves, Foxes, and Jackals, The members of this 

 family are characterised by having pointed muzzles, smooth 

 tongues, and non-retractile claws. The fore-feet have five 

 toes each, the hind-feet have only four. The molar teeth are 



6—6 . 7—7 



sometimes -, and of these, two or three on each 



7—7' "" 7- 



side are tuberculate. 

 heel or process. 



-7 



The carnassial has a tolerably large 



Fig. 677. — Skull (if .Jackal {Canis aureus). 



The true Dogs and the Wolves, forming the genus Canis, 

 and the Foxes {Vulpes), can hardly be distinguished from 

 one another, as fossils, with any certainty. The oldest 

 known types of the Canida: appear in the Eocene of Europe 

 and North America, though the true position of most of these 

 early forms is somewliat uncertain. The Vulpavus of Nortli 

 America seems to be related to the living Foxes ( Vulpes) ; 

 and the European Eocene has yielded various extinct genera, 

 such as Galcthylax, Cynothcrium, and Cynodon, which are 



