CHAP. IX.] 



TEETH : CANID.^. 



219 



large 'odontome' composed of four small tubercular teeth. Each of 

 these has a distinct crown and neck, but apparently the necks join with 



L R 



M 



Fig. 44. Posterior lower molars of S. American Foxes. I. G. vetulus No. 249. 

 II. C. cancrivorus No. 251. III. C. canerivorus No. 252. In each case the right 

 and left sides are shewn. R, right. L, left. 



each other and with the neck of m?, which is displaced (Fig. 44, III.). 



B. M., 1033, a. (mentioned by Huxley, P. Z. S., 1880, p. 268; 

 figured by Mivart, P. Z. S., 1890, p. 377). 



In answer to an inquiry, Prof. Nehring informs me that he has three skulls of 



C. cancrivorus Desm. ( = C. braziliensis Lund.) from the province of S. Paolo, Brazil, 

 which are normal, except that in one pi has never replaced d 1 , which is in place ; 

 and that another Venezuelan skull of this species is also normal. [Whether 

 the B. M. specimens are really of the same species as these I do not know.] 



The rarity of supernumerary molars in C. vulpes, the common 

 Fox, is remarkable in contrast with the foregoing evidence. In 

 142 cases (to which I can add 37), Hensel, Morph. Jahrb., 1879, 

 found no single case. 



Absence of Molars. 



>}}? is very rarely absent in Canidse, and among the wild forms no 

 case seen in 289 skulls (except a doubtful case in C. occidentalis, right 



■3. 



