DOGS. BEARS. 75 



the number is increased to 46 or 48, being the largest number 

 present in any placental heterodont mammal. Of the specimens 

 exhibited, the most noticeable are the skeletons of the African 

 Hunting-dog (Lycaon venaticus), Red Wolf (Canis jubatus) of 

 Buenos Ayres, Dingo, Coyote, &c. ; and also the collection of 

 skulls and skeletons of the various races of the common Dog 

 (Canis familiar is) in Div. B. 



The Mustelida, or Weasel family (Case 5, Divs. E & F), have 

 thoroughly carnivorous habits, and therefore strong and well-deve- 

 loped teeth. Skulls of the Otter and Badger are mounted so as to 

 show the teeth from, below. The latter animal has its lower jaw so 

 articulated to the cranium that it cannot be separated from it with- 

 out breaking the bone. All the Mustelidce have broad flattened 

 skulls, low vermiform bodies, short legs, and feet fitted either for 

 running, digging, or swimming. In the Sea-Otter (Latax, better 

 known as Enhydra lutris) the hind feet are modified into flippers, in 

 which the fifth toe is the longest and stoutest, thus approaching the 



Fig. 34. 



Skull of Common Otter. 



Fin-footed Carnivores or Seals. Its teeth are enormously broad and 

 powerful, with rounded tubercular cusps well adapted for breaking 

 the hard shells of crustaceans and mollusks, on which it is supposed 

 to feed. Alone among the Carnivora Fissipedia, the Sea-Otter has 

 only two lower incisors. 



The Procyonidce and Mlurida, aberrant fruit-eating members of 

 the great Order of Carnivores, are placed in Div. F. 



The Bears (Ursidae) occupy Case 6. In their skeletons, as in [Case 6.] 

 their external appearance, they are heavy and clumsily built, and 

 their bones are thick and massive. Their sectorial teeth have 

 broad surfaces, and are but little adapted for cutting, their whole 



