CAKNIVORA. 



199 



probably referable to the Canidm. Cynoclon (fig. 678) seems 

 to be intermediate between the Canidce and the Viverridce, 



Fig. 678. — Left ramus of tlie lower jaw of Cynoclon laciistris, of the natural size. Eocene, 

 France. (Altered from Gaudry.) 



agreeing with the former in having two tubercular molars 

 behind the carnassial on each side of the lower jaw, while it 

 approaches the Civets in having an internal process to the 

 lower carnassial. We may also provisionally place in the 

 Canidce the curious Ardocyon of the Eocene Tertiary of 

 France, though it is a very generalised type, and possesses 

 peculiarities which prevent it being definitely placed in any 

 family of the existing Carnivores. 



In the Miocene Tertiary we meet with a number of types 

 of this family, including the existing genus Canis, which has 

 been detected in deposits of this age in North America. Of 

 other Miocene forms, Pscudocyon seems to be allied to the 

 Dogs ; Hemicyon is in some respects intermediate between 

 Canis and Gulo ; and Simocyon, of the Upper Miocene of 

 Greece, is an aberrant type, with molars like those of the 

 Dogs, and canines resembling those of the Felidce. The 

 most important of the Miocene Canidm, however, is Am^jhi- 

 cyon, species of which have been found in Europe, India, and 

 jSTorth America. In many of its characters this genus is 

 generalised, since its hind-feet were pentadactylous — those 

 of the Dogs being four-toed — and its mode of progression 

 seems to have been plantigrade, as in the Bears. There 

 existed also an additional molar on each side of the upper 

 jaw, and all the molars were tuberculate. The dentition 

 was therefore complete, the dental formula being — 



3—3 1—1 4—4 



; c ; nm 



3—3 1—1 4—4 



m = 44. 



3—3 



