454 



ORDERS OF MAMMALIA. 



and were compressed, so that the dentition of this extinct genus 

 is more highly carnivorous than is the case with any existing 

 Carnivore. 



The next family is that of the Canidce, comprising the Dogs, 

 Wolves, Foxes, and Jackals. The members of this family are 

 characterised by having pointed muzzles, smooth tongues, and 

 non-retractile claws. The fore-feet have five toes each, 



the hind-feet have only four. The molar teeth are 



sometimes 



77 



77 



77 

 , and of these, two or three on each side are 



tuberculate. The carnassial has a tolerably large heel or 

 process. 



Fig. 369. Skull of Jackal (Canis aureus). 



The true Dogs and the Wolves, forming the genus Canis, 

 and the Foxes ( Vulpes), can hardly be distinguished from one 

 another, as fossils, with any certainty. The oldest known 

 member of the Canidce is the Canis Parisiensis of the Upper 

 Eocene Tertiary (Gypseous series of Montmartre), which ap- 

 pears to be nearly allied to the existing Arctic Fox ( Vulpes 

 lagopus). Other species of Canis occur in the Miocene, Plio- 

 cene, and Post-Tertiary deposits ; and the so-called Canis 

 familiaris fossilis of the caves of Germany, Belgium, and France, 

 appears to be very nearly allied to the domestic Dog of the 

 present day. Similarly, the so-called Canis spelceus, and Canis 

 vulpes spelceus are nearly, if not quite, identical with the exist- 

 ing Wolf and Fox of Europe. Lastly, the Galcecynus of the 

 Pliocene schists of Oeningen, and the Pal&ocyon (Lund) of the 

 Brazilian caves, are two extinct genera which may be provision- 

 ally referred to the Canidce. 



The last group of the Digitigrada is that of the Felidce, or Cat 

 tribe, comprising the most typical members of the whole order 

 of the Carnivora, such as the Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Cat, and 

 Panthers. The members of this family all walk upon the tips 



