X.] CARhUVORA. 149 



each end, lying between the tympanic ring and the basi- 

 occipital, apphed closely to the surface of the already 

 ossified periotic, and forming no distinct prominence on the 

 under surface of the skull. Soon after birth this increases 

 in size, and gradually assumes the bullate form of the wall 

 of the inner chamber. In young animals, even some time 

 after the ossification of the bulla is complete, the distinc- 

 tion between the two parts is clearly seen externally ; not 

 only are they marked oft' by a groove, but the tympanic 

 portion has a more opaque appearance than the other. The 

 septum is formed by an inversion of the walls of both, 

 applied together, and ultimately perfectly fused in Felis, 

 although remaining permanently distinct in some of the 

 ViverridcE. 



The carotid foramen in the Tiger is only represented by 

 a minute groove deep in the recess of the foramen lacerum 

 posterius. In the smaller Cats, this groove is more super- 

 ficial, but always very minute, and apparently never converted 

 into an actual foramen, except by the contiguous wall of the 

 basioccipital. 



The paroccipital process is flattened over the back of the 

 bulla, being applied closely to the whole of its prominent 

 rounded hinder end, and projecting, as a rough tubercle, 

 slightly beyond it. From the inner side of this process a 

 sharp ridge runs towards the occipital condyle. This forms 

 the posterior boundary of a deep fossa, at the bottom of 

 which is the foramen lacerum posterius, and in the hinder 

 part of which, under cover of the aforesaid ridge, the 

 condylar foramen opens. The mastoid process is a 

 moderately conspicuous rough projection, not very widely 

 separated from the paroccipital. There is no distinct 

 glenoid foramen. 



The ViverridcE agree with the Felidce in having the auditory 



