x.\ CARNIVORA. 151 



large and complex. The mesethmoid is of considerable 

 vertical extent, and its ossified portion, which is extensive, 

 terminates anteriorly in a straight vertical line. In some 

 forms, as Cysfophora, this ossification extends in front of the 

 nasals. The hyoid resembles that of the typical Carnivora, 

 all the elements being well ossified and distinct. The 

 Otariidce, or Eared Seals, also called Sea Bears or Sea 

 Lions, are intermediate in most of their cranial characters 

 between the true Seals and the Bears. 



The skulls of the animals composing the Order Insec- 

 tivora present great variations. 



In some of the higher forms, as Galeopithecus, Tupaia, 

 Macroscelides, and Rhynchocyon, the cranium much resembles 

 that of the Lemurina, having a considerable and vaulted 

 cerebral cavity, large orbits, nearly vertical occipital plane, 

 large olfactory fossae, a well-developed zygomatic arch 

 sending up a postorbital process to meet a corresponding 

 one from the frontal so as either partially or completely to 

 encircle the orbit behind, and tympanies ankylosed with 

 the other cranial bones, dilated into a bulla, and pro- 

 duced externally into a tubular auditory meatus. The 

 face is generally elongated, and narrow anteriorly, but in 

 Galeopithecus it is broad and depressed. 



In the M aero sceli dee, or Elephant Shrews, the auditory 

 meatus is very large, the tympanic bulla much inflated, and 

 there are sometimes also very large mastoid bullae. 



In Tupaia, the malar has a large, oval, longitudinal per- 

 foration. There are also in this genus, as in some of the 

 other Insectivora, vacuities in the palate, arising from defects 



If ossification, like those found in many Marsupials. 

 In the remaining Insectivora the cranial cavity is of small 

 Native size. The orbit and temporal fossa are completely 



