MERRIAM: THE FAUNA OP RANCHO LA BREA. 



257 



ticularly below the molars, and is also thicker transversely than in the living 

 form of this region. The dimensions of the teeth do not vary greatly from 

 the living species excepting in the thickness of both the upper and lower car- 

 nassials, which are heavier in the fossil form (figs. 36a and 36&). M 1 tends 

 also to be somewhat heavier than in the typical C. ochropus, and in this respect 



36a 



36b 



Pigs. 36a and 36b. Cants ochropus orcutti Merriam, J. C. Fig. 36a, superior earnassial and molars, occlusal 

 view, no. 19791, natural size; fig. 366, inferior cheek-tooth dentition, occlusal view, no. 10842, X %. Rancho 

 La Brea Beds. 



more nearly approaches the typical C. latrans. In Mi the metaconid seems 

 to be slightly less prominent medially than in the typical C. ochropus, possibly 

 owing to the greater thickness of the trigonid blade in the fossil form. 



The form from Rancho La Brea differs from the typical C. latrans and 

 resembles the type of C. ochropus in the relatively narrow anteroposterior 

 diameter of M 1 . M 2 is sometimes smaller than in either the typical latrans or 

 the typical ochropus form. 



A skeleton of this species which has been assembled from parts of separate 

 individuals shows little difference from that of the living C. ochropus of this 

 region. It is evident that the coyote of Rancho La Brea was a slender-legged 

 creature, and was swift-footed like its living relative. 



Fig. 37. Canis ochropus orcutti Merriam, J. C. Inferior view of atlas, no. 10842, X 1/2- Rancho La Brea Beds. 

 Fig. 38. Cants ochropus orcutti Merriam, J. C. Lateral view of axis, no. 10842, X %. Rancho La Brea Beds. 

 Fig. 39. Canis ochropus orcutti Merriam, J. C. Metatarsus, X %. Rancho La Brea Beds. 



