406 MR. A. H. G. DORAN ON THE MORPHOLOGY 



the malleus of Stenorhynchus and Lobodon, on the exact site of that articulating process, 

 is in favour of that theory, which cannot be disproved till a malleus is found with both 

 the processes coexisting. 



The incus of P. barbata (PI. LX. fig. 2) most resembles that of P. groenlandlca, as 

 both necessarily want the extra articulation ; but the groove around the inner side of the 

 facets is faint. The anterior crus of the stapes is very crooked. 



In a complete set of the ear-bones of the Ringed Seal (P. Mspida, PI. LIX. fig. 31) 

 the malleus and incus closely resemble those of P. vitulina, having the extra articular 

 process on both bones ; there is no trace of a processus muscularis. The stapes has a 

 very large space between the crura, which are very divergent ; and the anterior is much 

 bent; the base is very broad; and, in fact, this bone in this little Seal has all the 

 distinctive features of this subfamily well pronounced. 



I have only procured a single incus of the Grey Seal (Hallchoerus grypus, PI. LX. 

 fig. 5) ; it resembles that of P. vitulina, except that the extra articulating process is 

 much less developed. 



The foregoing observations on the auditory ossicles of the Carnivora may be con- 

 veniently abridged in the following manner : — 



I. The ossicula of the Pissipedia differ from those of the Pinnipedia very strongly, in 

 type as well as in consistence. 



II. The laminated form of the malleus prevails tbroughout the Pissipedia, excepting 

 in Herpestes and allied genera, where the lamina is nearly obsolete. 



III. The Pelidse possess a malleus which bears a long, curved, and slender processus 

 muscularis, and a long manubrium, with a narrow, but distinct and sharply bordered 

 outer aspect. The processus brevis of the incus is slender and rather long. The crura 

 of the stapes, as in all these Carnivora, are straight and moderately divergent. 



IV. In the Viverridse the malleus (except in Herpestes and Suricata, whereof the 

 peculiarity is mentioned above ; moreover the processus muscularis is on the manu- 

 brium, away from the root, in these genera) has a very ill-developed processus muscularis, 

 and the outer surface of the manubrium is even narrower than in the Cats, yet still 

 distinctly bordered. The incus and stapes are very similar to those of Fells. 



V. The extreme narrowness of the outer aspect of the manubrium and the very 

 small processus muscularis of the tolerably large malleus, of Cryptoprocta ally it more 

 closely to Viverra than to Fells. 



VI. In Hyaena the processus muscularis of the malleus is very stout and straight. 

 The outer surface of the manubr' mi is very broad near the tip. 



VII. In Proteles the processus muscularis is as stout and as straight as in Hycena ; 

 but the outer surface of the manubrium is very broad throughout, as in Canls. 



VIII. In the Canidse the processus muscularis of the malleus is as long, curved, and 

 slender as in the Cats, but the outer surface of the manubrium is very broad throughout. 



IX . In the Mustelidse the handle of the malleus is much shorter, and forms a wider 

 angle with the neck than in any of the above Pissipedia. The processus brevis of the 

 incus is very short, as in the Bears. 



