K. S. Bardenfleth: On the systematic position of Æluropus melanoleucus. 13 



consequently the condyle and the glenoid cavity become very enlarged, and the 

 temporal root of the zygoma is more heavy than in any other Carnivore. 



The exceedingly strong processus postglenoideus abuts against the flat, Ursus- 

 like buUa; and as the heavy head — which is made still more heavy by the great 

 spe(ific gravity of the bones, which is, I think, only exceeded by the specilic gra- 

 vity of the bones of the Sirenia — requires very powerful neck-muscles for sup- 

 porting and fixing it, the occiput becomes very broad. This in connection with the 

 large postglenoid process gives a peculiar antero-posteriorly compressed appearance 

 to the basis cranii. That explains the form of the bulla, the short distance between 

 the glenoid cavity and the mastoid process, the extraordinary place of the meatus 

 acustieiis txternus and the nearness of the foramina to eaeh other. — The system- 

 atic importance of the alisphenoid canal seems somewhat doubtful. It is absent in 

 Felidæ, present in Viverridæ (except in V iverricula, Cynogale [according to Flower, 

 absent according to Mivart], Galidictinæ, Eupleres, Proteles), absent in Hyænidæ, 

 present in Ursidæ, absent in Æluropus, absent in Procyonidæ (except Ælurus), ab- 

 sent in Mustelidæ. — Steno's fissure is absent in Procyonidæ, present in Æluriis, 

 absent in Ursidæ, present in Æluropus. 



The resemblance between the skull of Æluropus and that of Ælurus is due to 

 a convergent development of the teeth. According to Flower & Lydekker (l. c. 

 pag. 562) it feeds chiefly on fruits and other vegetable substances; David says (1871, 

 pag. 89): "Du reste, le petit panda, Ailurus fulgens, .... tåche aussi de varier, 

 avec de la viande, ses repas, qui d'ordinaire consistent en végétaux, fruits, feuilles, 

 bourgeons, pousses de bambous sauvages, selon la saison". Evidently the food of 

 the two animals is nearly similar and must have the same effpct on tho loeth, and 

 these again on the form of the head: the short muzzlo. the large and crowded mul- 

 ti(iis|)id teeth, the wide zygomatic arches, the expaui.Ml glenoid cavity and large 

 processus postglenoideus, — all is due to the same cause. The obliquely cut ends 

 <tf ilif rii,in<lil)iil;ir condyles are not tnii'jn'' .iriKing the C..ii!ii\ nros; they seem to be 

 ' liir.K teiiftlH ul aiiiinals with strong ailiculution and Imil:' processus postglenoidei, 

 ili' y are e. g. very conspicuous in Meles, also to be secn m Uyæna and olhers. The 

 strong musdes which require a large area for attachment, dilate the proceMue co- 

 miiujdei and give thera their peculiar form. But as the brain-case i- iliiuly 

 lar^'t-r in .Ehirus than in .FJiiropiis, the muscles get suffMifiil space on it witliMut 

 t,.i,, i, ,.,,,,,,,, ,1 ;,^ i„ /7V////(;///y.s, ^iiitl the smnllor nnd li^'hl'r lioad rrqnurs not >.. 

 ^' iiiii-(|f^, I lifrt'fdn- thi' basis cr.uui i> nni sn mitch lriin>t<«rnnil .!.•» in 



/ ' ; il the typical Proq/<>/i-\\U>' I illa is not altered. 



The beara air Miiiiii\.'r..ii^ .unin.il-; young European hearo feod . Iiirlly nu ^nfl 

 fruils, young sprouts and other »oft vegetablcs, even the polar bear i> s n.l t<> eat 



