530 Zoological Society. 



exhibit the sudden contraction immediately behind the posterior 

 root of the zygomatic arch which we observe in the Viverras and 

 Genets. The post-orbital process of the temporal bone is but little 

 prominent, being in the form of an obtuse angle ; the skull differing 

 in this respect from that of Paradoxurus, as well as in having the 

 palate continued considerably beyond the line of the posterior mo- 

 lars. The muzzle is much compressed. The temporal ridges are 

 rather widely separated and but slightly marked, though, judging 

 from the dentition, the animal was adult. The ant-orbital opening 

 is larger than in Genetta and less advanced, and hence the branch of 

 the superior maxillary which forms its upper boundary is narrower, 

 as in Paradoxurus. In the form of the lower jaw there is a close ap- 

 proximation to Paradoxurus ; the only important difference consists 

 in the smaller antero-posterior extent of the coronoid process. 



The teeth in Prionodon differ much fi-om those of Paradoxurus ; 

 indeed, were the dentition alone to be considered, these two genera 

 would be placed at opposite extremes of the Viverrine group, the 

 last-mentioned genus evincing the nearest approach to an omnivo- 

 rous diet, whilst the Prionodon possesses teeth the most unfitted for 

 mastication. 



The incisors are arranged closely together, and in a straight line ; 

 the incisor oi^each side of both jaws, nearest the canines, is rather 

 larger than the others, which are slightly notched at the extremity. 

 The canines are rather long, very slender, and moderately curved. 



3 3 

 The false molars, which are j-^ are much compressed, high, and 



sharply pointed. The foremost false molar, both of upper and lower 

 jaws, is small, and has a small tubercle on the hinder part of the 

 principal cusp. The second and third false molars of the upper jaw 

 have each two small notches, and a corresponding number of small 

 tubercles on the posterior margin and at the base of the principal 

 cusp ; and there is an indistinct tubercle in front, near the base : the 

 second, third, and fourth false molars of the lower jaw have also the 

 double notch behind, but differ in having a distinct, though small, 

 anterior cusp. The first and second false molars of both jaws are 

 separated from the other teeth and from each other by interspaces, 

 of which the broadest is that which separates the second and third 

 of these teeth in the upper jaw, the space here being nearly a line 

 in width. The carnassier of the upper jaw very nearly resembles 

 that of the Cat, but the central cusp is higher, and the inner tubercle 

 is proportionally smaller. The carnassier of the lower jaw may be 

 best described by comparing it with the corresponding tooth in the 

 Genet, from which it differs only in having the cutting edges rather 

 more produced, in being more compressed; the inner tubercle is 

 more pointed, and the heel proportionately smaller. As regards 

 the true molars, the present animal differs from other Viuerridee in 

 possessing but one of these teeth on each side of the upper jaw ; its 

 true molars are therefore Y~i,' ^^^ ^'^"^ certainly does not arise from 

 immaturity in the animal. The form of this tooth closely resembles 



