[898.] Osboni, Evolution of the Ainblypoda. Part I. 



175 



therefore aj^pears to be non-consistent with his own theory that 

 the Ungulates sprang from Creodonts. 



The evidence as to the earliest types stands thus : 



Creodonta. Ajiiblyfoda. Condylarthra. Meniscotheriuvi. 



Carpus Non-serial. Non-serial. Non-serial. Non-serial. 



Tarsus Non-serial. Non-serial. Serial. 



Serial. 



Carpus. — Matthew's conclusion is important as concentrating 

 our attention upon the interlocking or alternating (lunar on 

 unciform, scapho-centrale on magnum) carpus of such a Creodont 

 type as Dissaciis (Fig. 5), from which the carpus of the Aniblypoda 

 and Condylarthra, and probably of all Ungulata, may be derived. 



The manner in which this was probably effected is : 



Aniblypoda. 



Absorption or coalescence of 



centrale. 

 Lunar remaining on unciform. 

 Magnum somewhat enlarged. 



Condylarthra. 



Absorption or coalescence of 

 centrale. 



Magnum greatly enlarged 

 and spreading beneath 

 lunar, which is thus sepa- 

 rated from unciform. 



The enlargement of the magnum, as observed in both Aniblypoda 

 and Condylarthra, would tend to readjust the primitive Creodont 

 interlocking or displaced arrangement, and, especially where the 

 weight is concentrated on the median toes, give us the secondarily 

 serial PJienacodus type. 



Fig. 6. Pes and Manus of Coryphodon testis, viewed from above, showing enlarged magnum. 

 Am. Mus. Coll., No. 258. 



