1869. ] CLASSIFICATION OF THE CARNIVORA. 33 
D. 12, L. 6, 8. 3, C. 22. Such a formula is perfectly exceptional, 
as no known Carnivore has so few dorso-lumbar vertebrz as 18. 
The skeleton in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons has 
C. 7, D. 13, L. 7, S. 3, C. 23 or more, the dorso-lumbar vertebrze 
being 20, the most usual number in the order. Although the pre- 
vailing number of the rib-bearing vertebrae of the Arctoid group 
is 14 or 15, and of the #luroid and Cynoid 13, there are so many 
exceptions that this character cannot have much weight in deter- 
mining the position of any doubtful form *. 
The skull of Bassaris (fig. 3a, p. 10) in its general form presents 
a nearer approach to that of Procyon than to any other known 
Carnivore, allowing for the considerable difference of size and conse- 
quent alteration in proportion of brain-case to surrounding parts. 
The general form of the brain-case, and the direction and develop- 
ment of the zygomatic arches, are exceedingly similar. The prin- 
cipal differences are, that in Bassaris the muzzle is narrower and 
more pointed in front, the orbits larger and more sharply defined 
from the temporal fossee by the larger postorbital processes, and 
especially that the bony palate is very much shorter, as it terminates 
at the level of the hinder border of the last molar tooth, while in the 
Raccoon it is continued as far as the anterior end of the pterygoid 
bones, or very nearly to the level of the anterior edge of the glenoid 
fossa. This distinction is of no more than generic importance, as 
similar variations in the extension of the palate backwards in the 
middle line are met with among different, and otherwise closely 
allied, members of the Viverride and of the Mustelide. The form 
of the lateral margins of the palate bones, of the pterygoids, and of 
the hinder margin of the palate itself is precisely the same in both 
Procyon and Bassaris. 
The mandible of Bassaris differs from that of Procyon only in 
having the coronoid process less recurved—a very common character 
in the mandibles of smaller species both of the Viverride and Mus- 
telide. In the special part of the skull which affords the most 
strongly marked distinctive characters between Procyon and the Vi- 
verride, Bassaris agrees in every point with the former. The audi- 
tory bulla is almost a miniature representation of that of Procyon ; 
it is quite simple, without any septum, prominent at the middle 
part, but falling away before and behind, and prolonged externally 
into a well-developed bony meatus (am). The carotid foramen 
(car) is large, situated rather behind the middle of the inner border 
of the bulla. The paroccipital (p) and mastoid (m) processes, 
though more feebly developed than in Procyon (as is usually the 
case with smaller animals), have the same general characters, the 
former especially projecting outwards and backwards, quite free from 
the bulla. The condyloid foramen (c) is exposed on a flat surface, 
quite distinct from the foramen lacerum posticum (J). The glenoid 
* Among the other Procyonide, Cercoleptes has 15, Procyon 14, and Nasua 
13 pairs of ribs, though in each instance the numbers seem occasionally to vary 
in the same species, to judge by the discrepancy in the statements of different 
authors. 
Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. EIT. 
