14 MR. W. H. FLOWER ON THE [Jan. 14, 
that genus. There are only a few partial septal bands across the 
floor, as in the Badgers. The anterior inferior extremity of the 
bulla is pointed, and commonly united to the prolonged hamular 
process of the pterygoid. 
The whole of the genera above described are united by Mr. Turner 
into one family, Urside; and that they constitute a natural group, 
T think no one should doubt, even on grounds independent of their 
cranial characters. They all agree in having the intestinal canal 
without a cecum, all other known Carnivora possessing this appen- 
dage. Moreover they all agree together, and differ from all other 
Carnivora, in the structure of the generative organs of the male, 
parts of considerable value in determining affinities. They ali have 
a large penis, with a very considerable bone, which is usually more 
or less curved, somewhat compressed, not grooved, dilated posteriorly, 
and often bifurcated, or rather bilobed, in front. They are all desti- 
tute of Cowper’s glands. All have the prostate rudimentary, or con- 
sisting only of a thickening of the wall of the urethra and forming 
no distinct prominence. 
Among all the diversity that has been shown to exist in the cha- 
racters of the base of the cranium, especially in the form of the 
auditory bulla, the following points of general agreement are to be 
found :-— 
1. The cavity of the bulla is simple (as compared with another 
form to be described presently). That 1s, althongh there are fre- 
quently trabeculze or partial septa passing mostly transversely across 
the lower part, and generally connected with the tympanic ring, 
there is no distinct and definite septum dividing it into a separate 
outer and inner character. In all cases, on looking into the external 
auditory meatus (in the dried skull when the membrana tympani is 
removed) the opposite wall of the bulla can be seen; or if a probe 
is passed into the meatus, no obstacle will prevent its touching the 
inner wall. Whatever the diversity of development of the bulla, it 
always has its greatest prominence near the middle of the inner 
border, and slopes away from that point, not only externally, but 
also forwards and backwards. 
2. The inferior lip of the external auditory meatus is always con- 
siderably prolonged. ; 
3. The paroccipital process is more or less triangular, and directed 
backwards, outwards, and downwards, standing quite aloof from the 
bulla. This relation depends chiefly on the want of development of 
the posterior portion of the bulla; and is absent, or obscure, in 
Mustela alone. 
4, The mastoid process is widely separated from the paroccipital, 
and generally very prominent. ° 
5. The carotid foramen is always large, and placed usually near 
the middle, but sometimes more posteriorly, on the inner margin of 
the bulla. It is generally very conspicuous, but sometimes partially 
concealed by the projecting lip of the basioccipital. 
6. The condyloid foramen is distinct and exposed ; and although 
sometimes partially overlapped posteriorly by a ridge of bone passing 
