CANIDiE. 479 



type in the teeth of the immature period of existence. M. de 

 Blainville describes the deciduous dentition as including, besides 

 the usual number of incisors and canines, the same number and 

 kind of molars, as in the other Canida ; i. e. a premolar with two 

 fangs, a sectorial and a complex molar each with three fangs, (1) (in 

 the upper jaw?). These are succeeded, in both jaws by four small, 

 simple, widely separated molars (PI. 125. fig. 6) : the first has a sub-com- 

 pressed conical crown supported by a single fang ; the second has 

 a larger crown of similar shape supported by two fangs ; the third 

 molar has a shorter and broader crown supported by two fangs ; 

 the fourth molar is the smallest, with a subtriquetral crown above, 

 and a simple compressed one below, where it is supported by a 

 single fang. In this instance of arrested development of the 

 molar series we may discern the retention of the more strictly 

 carnivorous (feline) type, though feebly manifested. 



In the Megalotis or Long-eared Fox {Otocyon, Licht.) the deviation 

 from the typical dentition of the Canida is effected by excess of deve- 

 lopment ; two additional true molars being ptesent on each side of 

 the upper, and one on each side of the lower jaw, in the permanent 

 series of teeth ; and an approach is made by the modified form of 

 the sectorial molar and of some of the other teeth to the dentition 

 of the genus Viverra. 



The upper incisors are small, simple, the outer one separate 

 from the rest and pointed ; the under incisors are sub-bilobed, 

 relatively smaller than in the Fox. The canines are shorter and 

 less compressed than in the Fox, The first three premolars (PI. 125, 

 fig. 5, p. 1, 2, 3) have shorter and more conical crowns, especially the 

 last ; and the sectorial tooth {p 4) is more advanced ; the trenchant 

 portion of the sectorial is shorter and the inner tubercle larger than 

 in the typical Canidce, in which it retains more of the form of its 

 deciduous predecessor. The first, second, and third true molars have 

 the internal basal ridge more developed than in the tuberculate 

 molars of the Fox : the last molar is disproportionately small, like 

 that of the under jaw in the typical Canida. The lower premolars, 

 like the upper ones, are more conical and shorter in proportion to 



(1) Osteographie de Canis, p. 56. 



