464 PROF. ST.-GEORGE MIVART ON THE £LUROIDEA. [June 6, 
The number of caudal vertebrae varies from 29 (Cryptoprocta and 
Paradoxurus) to 3 (Manx Cat), 19 (Croeuta), and 20 (Crossarchus 
and Suricata). The neural arch ceases to be completely developed 
at from the 6th (Hyena) to the 12th (Arctictis) vertebra. 
The longest caudal vertebrae may be the 9th, 10th, and 11th 
(Cat), the 10th, 11th, and 12th (Civet), the 12th, 13th, and 14th 
(Aretictis), or the 13th, 14th, and 15th (Proéeles). 
Chevron bones may be developed beneath adjacent pairs of caudal 
vertebra from the interval between the Ist and 2nd to between the 
16th and 17th (Arctictis). 
Transverse processes may cease to be distinct at the 6th caudal 
(sometimes in Hyena), or may continue on to the 10th caudal 
(Aretictis). 
The Sternum. 
The sternum consists generally of seven sternebre (including the 
manubrium) and a xiphoid cartilage. Sometimes in Herpestes and 
Crossarchus there are 8 sternebre; and there are 8 in Lupleres. 
There may be but 6 sternebra, as in Proteles and Hemigalea. 
The manubrium is sometimes separate’ from that sternebra which 
is placed between the attachments of the Ist and 2nd 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 
/Eluroid. 
The last sternebra is broad and the xiphoid very broad in Pro- 
teles. 
The Ribs. 
The number of pairs 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 Hyanide, however, there are § 
true ribs and 7 false ones. 
The ribs are generally broader in proportion to their length in 
the Viverride than in the Felide. This is especially the case in 
Eupleres aud the Hyenide. 
The Skull. 
The absolutely longest Aluroid skulls I have met with are 26-8 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 (drctictis) and 13!'-4 
(Viverra civetta). 
1 Sometimes, asin Areficris, and as in the Paradoxure No. 4285 ain the Museum 
of the Royal College of Surgeons, two minute rounded ossicles are placed 
between the manubrium aad the first sternebra behind it. I have found an 
indication of such distinctness in an adult Eupleres. 
