hatcher: oligocene canid^ 71 



This extraordinary development of the sagittal crest at the expense of the capacity 

 of the brain-case in Daphjemis will perhaps prove 'to be the most distinctive char- 

 acter of the genus. It is well shown in PI. XIV., Fig. 2, and in Fig. 1 of the text. 



The condyles are not entirely complete in either skull. They appear to have 

 been subelliptical in outline with the vertical diameter the longer. 



The foramen magnum has the transverse diameter exceeding the vertical, a 

 character which from the material at my command seems to be remarkably con- 

 stant with the thooid members of the canidse, while in the alopecoid series the re- 

 verse seems to be the case. 



The zygomatic process of the squamosal extends abruptly from the side of the 

 skull nearly at right angles to the longer diameter of the latter, then bends forward 

 and upward so as to overlap the zygomatic process of the malar. 



The temporal constriction is very pronounced and the transverse diameter of the 

 cranium at this point is only a little more than one fourth the greatest expanse of 

 the zygomata and one half that of the cranium proper at its widest point between 

 the zygomatic processes of the squamosals. 



The palate is broad posteriorly, but narrow in front, and slightly constricted be- 

 tween P. ^-^. Owing to age the sutures between the palatines and maxillaries 

 are not very distinct. The latter bones appear however to form a more considerable 

 portion of the surface of the palate than do the former, while the extreme anterior 

 portion is formed by the premaxillaries. The anterior palatine foramen is moder- 

 atel}^ large and is enclosed by the premaxillary except postero-externally, where it is 

 bounded by the maxillary. Owing to the imperfect nature of the specimen it is 

 impossible to determine with accuracy the number or nature of the posterior pala- 

 tine foramina. The posterior border of the posterior nares is a little behind the last 

 tubercular molar as indicated by the alveolus of that tooth. 



The pterygoids are long and curve inwards inferiorly so as to partially enclose 

 the posterior portion of the narial orifice. The hamular processes have been broken 

 away and the condition and age of the specimens do not permit of determining to 

 what extent the palatines and alisphenoids respectively enter into the formation of 

 the pterygoids. 



The sutures between presphenoid, basisphenoid, and basioccipital are closed and 

 these- bones are all fused as one. 



The paroccipital process is slender, styliform, and directed downward and some- 

 what backward. The mastoid process is low, broad, and separated from the post- 

 glenoid process by a wide and deep groove very similar to that which obtains in the 

 modern canidse, and it doubtless served as in the latter to accommodate, the tubular 



