18S2.] PROF. ST-GKORGE MIVAKT ON THE yELUROIDEA. 4C5 



The length from the atlas to the end of the sacrum being taken 

 as 100, the relatively longest skulls tlius measured ha%'e the propor- 

 tions of 29-5 (Cynogale) and 28-9 {Genetta). The shortest has 19-8 

 (Leopard). The shortest Viverrine are 21 "4 {Viverra civetta) and 

 21 9 {Cruptoprocta). 



The greatest width between the outsides of the zygomata is 22"-0 

 (Tiger). The broadest non-feliue skull at the zygomata is 18""3 

 (Crocuta) ; and the broadest Viverrine skulls are 7"'3 {Viverra 

 civetta) and 7"'0 {Cryptoprocia). 



The greatest widths of tiie zygomata in proportion to the spine at 

 100 are 24-4 {Suricain), 2\'b (Lion), and 21-2 (Giocuta). The 

 shortest is iO'5 {Eupleres). 



The length of the skull from basion to praemaxilla being taken as 1 00, 

 the (relatively) broadest zygomatic arches measured across are 89*4 

 (Suricata) and 89'3 (Felis), the Hycena hrunnea being 8o'4. The 

 narrowest Felis is 80"4, the narrowest Viverrine (Herpes(es) 44*4. 



I have much desired to find a line to be measured externally as 

 a basicranial axis. The received basicranial axis can only be mea- 

 sured in a vertical longitudinal section, and so can rarely be got at. 

 I should have been well satisfied with a line from the basion to the 

 front end of tiie pra3sphenoid or of the basisphenoid, if either of these 

 two latter points were generally determinable externally ; but, un- 

 fortunately, such is not the case. I have therefore been compelled 

 to take as a base a line drawn from the basion to a point which 

 may, for convenience, be distinguished as the "ovalion," and which 

 is the middle point of a transverse line joining the hindmost point on 

 the margin of one foramen ovale with that of the other. 



This base, compared with that of the spine (from the atlas to the 

 end of the sacrum) taken as 100, I never find to be more than 9'0 

 {Hemiyalidia) or less than 4'5 (Felis). 



Its greatest proportion in Felis is ()"2, its least proportion in the 

 ViverridcB is 5"1 {Viverra civetta). In Crocuta it is 6"0, in Pro- 

 teles 7'3. 



The base, compared with the total cranial length at 100, 

 has for its highest proportions 31' 1 {Galidia), 28-7 (ffoniffalidia), 

 and 28"2 {Felis). Its smallest pro)iortion in Felis is 20*5 ; and the 

 smallest of all are Hycena brunnea (2ri) and Suricata (]9"3). 



If this base be taken as 100, then the greatest relative expansions 

 of the zygomata are 4630 (Suricata), 400*0 (Felis), and 395-6 

 {HycEtia brunnea). The smallest are IdA'A (Eupleres) axidi 1 95-2 

 (Genetta). 



The greatest relative breadths of the brain-case, compared with 

 the spine at 100, are 13-8 (Suricata) and 13-3 (Felis), its least breadth 

 5'9 (Viverra civetta). Its greatest breadths compared with the 

 length of the skull at 100 are 54-.5 (Felis) and 508 (Suricata) ; its 

 least proportion is 2/0 (Hycena brunnea). Its greatest breadths 

 ccmpaied with the base taken as 100 are 211-7 (Felis), 263 (Suri- 

 cata), and 180-0 (Grossarchus) ; its least proportions thus esti- 

 malfd ate 102-7 (Fioielcs) and 1156 (Viverra civetta); the 

 smallest I have lound in Ftlis is 1454. 



