1882. j 471 [Cope. 



Measurements. M. 



Length of true molars on base 018 



Diameters M. ii { anteroposterior 006 



t transverse 0044 



Diameters M. iii ( anteroposterior , 0065 



t transverse 0038 



Diameters P-m. m { vert * cal 0045 



t arteroposterior 004 



Width of inferior face of symphysis 008 



Depth ramus at P-m. iii . .009 



" M. iii 0103 



This species was obtained by Mr. D. Baldwin from beds of probably 

 lowest Wasatch age, in New Mexico. 



- On the Systematic Relations of the Carnivora Fissipedia. By E. D, Cope. 

 ~^(Read before the American Philosophical Society, October 20, 1882.) 



This order embraces the clawed mammalia with transverse glenoid cav- 

 ity of the squamosal bone, confluent scaphoid and lunar bones of the 

 carpus, and well developed cerebral hemispheres. It is well distinguished 

 from all others at present known, but such definition is likely to be invali- 

 dated by future discovery. Some of the Insectivora possess a united 

 scapholunar bone, but the reduction of the cerebral hemispheres of such 

 forms distinguishes them. The presence of the crucial fissure of the hemi- 

 spheres is present under various modifications in all Carnivora, while the 

 parietooccipital and calcarine fissures are absent. 



The many types of existing carnivora fall into natural groups, which are 

 of the grade termed family in zoology. But the distinction of these from 

 each other is not easily accompanisbed, nor is it easy to express their ref- 

 lations in a satisfactory manner. The primary suborders of pinnipedia 

 and fissipedia are easily defined. Various characters have been considered 

 in ascertaining the taxonomy of the more numerous fissiped division. The 

 characters of the teeth, especially the sectorials, are important, as is also 

 the number of the digits. Turner* has added important characters derived 

 from the foramina at the base of the skull, and the otic bulla, which Flow- 

 erf has extended. Garrod:t has pointed out the significance of the number 

 of convolutions of the middle and posterior part of the hemispheres. I 

 have added some characters derived from the foramina of the posterior and 

 lateral walls of the skull. § Mr. Turner also defines the families by the 

 form and relations of the paroccipital process. 



* Proceedings Zoological Soc, London, 1848, p. 63. 

 "t Lot. cit., 1869, p. 5. % Loc. cit., 1878, p. 377. 



§ Proceedings Amer. Philosophical Society, 1880, p. 



