CARNIVORA. 



451 



there is an additional molar on each side of the upper jaw. 

 Several species have been described from deposits of Middle 

 Tertiary age. 



The true Bears ( Ursus) do not appear, so far as is certainly 

 known, to have commenced their existence before the Pliocene 

 period, the best-known species of this epoch being the Ursus 

 Arvernensis. In the Post-Tertiary period the two most im- 

 portant species are the Ursus priscus and Wrsus spelaus, of 

 which the former is probably identical with the living Grizzly 

 Bear ( Ursus ferox). The Cave-bear (Ursus spelceus, fig. 367) 



Fig. 367. Skull of Ursiis sfelans. Post-Pliocene. 



is a gigantic Bear, which, as its name implies, has been found 

 mainly in cavern-deposits. The size of this species con- 

 siderably exceeded that of any existing Bear, and it is espe- 

 cially characteristic of the later portion of the Post-Pliocene 

 period. 



More or less nearly allied to the true Bears are the little 

 living animals which are known as Coatis (Nasua), Racoons 

 (Procyon\ and Kinkajous (Cercoleptes}, all of which at the 

 present day are confined to the American continent. The 

 bone-caves of Brazil have yielded remains of two species of 

 Nasua, and a Racoon has been found in Post-Tertiary de- 

 posits in Illinois. No certain remains of Cercoleptes are known ; 

 but the Arctocyon primoevus of the Eocene Tertiary of France 

 has been compared with the existing Kinkajous. 



The only remaining family of the Plantigrada is that of the 

 Melidce or Badgers, characterised by their elongated bodies 

 and short legs, and by the fact that the carnassial tooth has a 

 partly cutting edge, and is not wholly tuberculate as in the 

 Bears. 



