THE BRITISH OR LIGHT-TAILED SQUIRREL 703 
with the squamosals, anteriorly with the zygomatic plates of the 
maxilla and with the small lachrymals. The greatest zygomatic 
breadth falls slightly in front of the glenoid regions. The anterior 
palatal foramina are very short and narrow; they barely notch the 
maxilla. The palate is broad and flat, or rather slightly concave, with 
a more or less evident trace of the median suture; the maxillo-palatine 
suture extends forwards to the level of mm; the posterior palatine 
foramina are very small; the palatines extend for 2 or 3 mm. behind 
m®, each having a well- 
marked circular notch 
on its margin behind 
that tooth. The meso- 
pterygoid fossa is wide, 
and squarely truncated 
in front; the pterygoid 
bones are small and thin, 
their hamular processes 
considerably in front of 
the bulla; the ecto- 
pterygoid processes are 
feeble ridges, and _ be- 
hind each is a very large 
foramen ovate, The 
presphenoid and _basi- 
sphenoid are wide and 
little modified. The 
ventral surface of the 
broad basi-occipital has 
the median ridge and 
lateral concavities little 
developed, but its mar- 
gins are raised as con- 
spicuous little flanges 
which are applied to the FIG. 99.—SKULL OF SQUIRREL (Sciurus vulgaris). 
inner surfaces of the Life size. 
bullz. The paroccipital 
processes are small, short, and stout, terminating above the level of the 
condyles. The bullz are small, round, and moderately inflated ; inter- 
nally they are divided by a number of bony septa; the external 
meatus of each shows the beginning of a funnel-shaped prolongation ; 
the petrous portions are of moderate size. 
The mandible is laterally compressed, and in relation to the molars 
deep and heavily built. The lower incisors pass upwards close behind 
m,, to terminate in the bases of the coronoid processes. The condylar 

