QUATBRNAET FAUNA OP GIBEALTAE. 83 



aspect ; and there is none on the inner face, which shows a very indistinct trace 'of a 

 short ridge. The tooth is almost cylindrical. The length of the diasteme is not more 

 than 0""2. The characters presented by the other maxillary specimen, which is of an 

 older animal, so far as they go, exactly agree with those of the former. 



The mandibular specimen consists of the greater part of the left ramus, and about 

 half of the right (PI. III. fig. 4). A portion of the left ramus, corresponding to the 

 second tooth, is wanting ; but the lower carnassial on that side remains entire, and the 

 fangs of the anterior premolar (pm. 4), recently broken off, are left in the alveoli. On 

 the right side the canine is quite entire, as are the two anterior premolars (pm. 3 

 and pm. 4). 



If the dimensions of this jaw are compared with those afforded by the specimens 

 above referred to, and with those given by Messrs. Boyd-Dawkins and Sanford, the dif- 

 ference between the Gibraltar specimen and F. pardina and P. lynx will be seen to be 

 but slight. The chief points to be remarked are the greater width of the diasteme 

 in the Gibrallar specimen, and the less length of the molar series in both it and F. par- 

 dina, as compared with F. li/nx. This is commensurate with the greater autero-posterior 

 diameter of the carnassial in the latter species, as shown in the odontograms. In both 

 these particulars, viz. the width of the diasteme and the comparative shortness of the 

 molar series, the Gibraltar jaw agrees with that figured by M. Delgado. 



As the condition of the Gibraltar specimens affords no means of judging of the 

 cranial characters, it would be needless on this occasion to discuss them. It may be 

 stated, however, that they are amply sufiicient to prevent any confusion between the 

 Northern and Southern Lynx, and with the Caracal, even in the fossil state. 



The same may be said with respect to the dental characters, which are also alone 

 sufficient for a satisfactory diagnosis. As, fortunately, the Gibraltar remains afford the 

 complete dentition, I will proceed to point out the more salient characteristic differ- 

 ences, 1. between the true Lynx and the Caracal, and 2. between the Northern and 

 the Southern European Lynx. It does not appear to be necessary to compare any other 

 feline species. The two American Lynxes are so much smaller as to be out of the 

 question altogether. 



1. As to the dental differences between the Lynxes (proper) and the Caracal, 

 (a) The Caracal almost invariably possesses an upper anterior molar, though usually of 

 small size, and sometimes apparently deciduous at an early period, (b) Its canines are 

 in almost all cases smooth or ungrooved ; its premolars are much more compressed ; 

 and the inner anterior tubercle of pm. 4 is smaller.' 



' In a skull of F. caracal (No. 981 a, B. M.) the canines have, to use Dr. Falconer's expression, " the enamel 



51 

 smooth and ungrooved." And the same is markedly the case in a skull from Tangiers, 4 — 2.3 B.M. The 



U 



canines are also smooth in two Caracara skulls in the Eoyal College of Surgeons, one of which. No. 4587, from 



