464 PROF. Sr.-GEORGE MIVART ON THE /ELUROIDEA. [JuilC C, 



The number of cauilal vertebrae varies from 29 {Cryptoprocta and 

 Paradoxurus) to 3 (Manx Cat), 19 (C'rocuia), and 20 {Crossarchus 

 and Suricnta). The neural arch ceases to be completely developed 

 at from the 6th (Ht/cena) to the r2th {Arctictis) vertebi'a. 



The longest caudal vertebrae may be the 9th, 10th, and 11th 

 (Cat), the lOtb, 11th, and 12th (CiVet), the 12th, 13th, and 14th 

 [Arctictis), or the 13th, 14th, and 15th {Proteles). 



Chevron bones may be developed beneatli adjacent pairs of caudal 

 vertebrae from the interval between the 1st and 2nd to between the 

 16th and 17th {Arctictis). 



Transverse processes may cease to be distinct at the 6th caurlal 

 (sometimes in Hijcena), or may continue on to the 10th caudal 

 [Arctictis). 



The Sternum, 



The sternum consists generally of seven sternebrae (including tlie 

 manubrium) and a xiphoid cartilage. Sometimes in Ueipestes and 

 Crossarchus there are 8 sternebrse ; and there are 8 in Eupleres. 

 There may be but 6 sternebrse, as in Proteles and Hemigalea. 



The manubrium is sometimes separate ' from that sternebra which 

 is placed between the attachments of the 1st and 2iid costal carti- 

 lages. 



The manubrium is very pointed in Hemigalea. In Arctictis it is 

 very exceptionally expanded transversely towards its middle, so that 

 it has somewhat the appearance of the head of a lance. It has also 

 a median ventral crest or keel — a condition I have found in no other 

 iEluroid. 



The last sternebra is broad and the xiphoid very broad in Pro- 

 teles. 



The Ribs. 



The number of ]iairs of ribs has been already indicated in the 

 notes given respecting the dorsal vertebrae. The number of true 

 ribs may be 8, 9, or 10. 9 is the general number of true ribs, there 

 being .5, 4, or 3 false ribs. In the Hycenidce, however, there are 8 

 true ribs and 7 false ones. 



The ribs are generally broader in proportion to their length in 

 the Fiverridce than in the Felicia. This is especially the case in 

 Eupleres and the Hycenidce. 



The Skull. 



The absolutely longest ^Eluroid skulls I have met with are 2G'''8 and 

 26"-6 (Tiger and Lion). The longest non-feline skull (measured 

 from the roots of the upper incisors in front to the " basion " or 

 mid anterior margin of the foramen magnum) is 22"'5 (Crocuta); 

 and the longest Viverrine skulls are 13" '9 [Arctictis) and 13"-4 

 [Viverra civetta). 



' Scmetimes, as in Arciicfis, and as in the Paradoxure No. 4285 a in the Museuni 

 of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, two miuule rounded ossicles are placed 

 between the manubrium and the Orst sternebra behind it. I have i'omid an 

 indication of such distinctness in an adult Kuideres. 



