177 



Genus CYON, Hodgson (1838). 



Cuon, Hodgson, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. i. p. 152 (1838). 

 Cyon, Blanford, Fauna Brit. India, Mamm. p. 142 (1888) ; Mivart, Proc. 

 Zool. Soc. 1890, p. 88. 



Generic Characters. 



Digits 5 4. Pm. 5, M. %. 



Nasals extending backwards much beyond the adjacent portions of 

 the maxillaB; the external margin of each nasal, distad of, the nasal 

 process of the frontal, strongly concave, so that the outer margin of the 

 whole length of each nasal has a subsigmoid outline ; face relatively 

 short ; dorsal surface of interorbital region but little concave transversely; 

 skull, viewed in profile, showing very little vertical elevation in the inter- 

 orbital region, the concavity thus apparent between it and the distal end 

 of the nasals being very slight both in degree and in antero-posterior 

 extent ; postorbital processes of the frontals projecting outwards but 

 slightly ; postorbital processes of the malars rather marked ; zygomata 

 not strongly arched outwards ; anterior palatine foramina very large 

 and much elongated ; first upper premolar approaching the second 

 in size more nearly than in Cams ; fourth upper premolar with a 

 smaller internal lobe than generally in Canis; inner portion of first 

 upper molar small, its inner tubercles having more or less completely 

 coalesced with the cingulurn; first lower molar small, especially its 

 inner ridge ; tail decidedly less than half the length of the body. 

 Habitat. Asia, from Siberia to Java. 



These animals are generally called " Wild Dogs," and the southern 

 species is commonly termed " The Indian Wild Dog." But the term 



2A 



