CARNIVORA. 



403 



Tlie Post-Pliocene deposits of the Old and New World 

 contain a great number of Felidm, some belonging to extinct 

 types, but the majority referable to genera now in existence. 

 Of the latter, the most interesting and important form is tlie 

 great Cave-lion {Felis spelcea) of Europe, which does not 

 appear to be separable by any character of importance from 



Fig. 6S1. — A, Skull of Machairodus cnltridens, without the lower jaw, reduced in size ; 

 B, Canine tooth of the same, one-half the natural size. Pliocene, France. 



the existing Lion {Felis ho). This species inhabited Britain 

 in times subsequent to the Glacial period, and was a con- 

 temporary of the Cave-hyffina, Cave-bear, Woolly Ehinoceros, 

 and Mammoth. There can also be no doubt but that the 

 Cave-lion survived into the earlier portion of the human 

 period. 



