1902.] 



Matthew, The Skull of Buncelunis. 



139 



Postorbital constriction much more narrow than in M. 

 americana, somewhat more than in P. ermincus. Size slightly 

 greater than the weasel. 



BiincBlurus is one of the primitive group of Musteline found 

 chiefly in the Oligocene of Europe. It belongs to the Putoriine 

 section, which more nearly ap- 

 proaches the Felidae (through 

 Proailurns) in dental reduction 

 (the typical Musteline section 

 more nearly approaching Cyno- 

 dictis and the Viverridse), but 

 shows little indication of the 

 shortening of the face charac- 

 teristic of modern Putorius. 



Following are the more im- 

 portant primitive characters: 



1. Dentition less reckxced, four 



premolars and two molars 

 in upper jaw. 



2. Fourth premolar more tri- 



angular, shear more trans- 

 verse, notch behind pro- 

 tocone deeper. 



3. First molar more viverrine 



in shape, protocone not 

 expanded transversely, 

 para- and inetacones more 

 distinct. 



4. Second molar present although minute. 



5. Posterior nares not roofed over behind m'. 



6. Bullae short, round, and prominent, instead of long and flat- 



tened. 



7. Paroccipital process free. 



8. Cerebrum small and not extending over cerebellum, transverse 



sulcus strongly marked on external surface of skull by a 

 wide depression. 



9. Postorbital processes very rudimentary, postorbital constric- 



tion narrow. 

 10. Infraorbital foramen small. 



The skull is identified with Bnncelnrns upon the following 

 evidence: Buncsliiriis appears to belong to the more carnas- 



Fig. 3. Inferior View of Skull. 



