THE CANID^E, OR DOGS. 283 



these latter, by the shortening of their jaw and the 

 reduction of their dentition, were all the better able 

 to overpower their prey. 



One of the most important forms of these Creo- 

 donta because extremely numerous in New Mexico, 

 and found in three species in the phosphate of 

 Quercy is Oxycena. The species vary in size 

 between a badger and a jaguar. The dental for- 

 mula is : i -, c i, pm -, m -. Herein, therefore, 



the Eocene fauna of the Old and the New World 

 again show connection. 



We are the less inclined to enter upon an 

 account of the five families of Creodonta, 1 because 

 the grouping, the assumed connection, and, above 

 all, the derivation of our present large group of Car- 

 nivora, the dogs and cats, often seem to be in want 

 of those safe foundations pointing from case to 

 case, from genus to genus, which Filhol's investi- 

 gations and deductions have made so incontestable. 



In order, however, to give those of our readers 

 specially interested in the subject some suggestions 

 for further enquiry, we may here mention the 



1 Arctocynoidse, Miacidee, Oxytenidae, Amblyctonidae, Meso- 

 nychidae. 



