HATCHER : OLIGOCENE CANID^ 87 



and V. It is proportionately broader and lower than in the cats. In this respect 

 it approximates more nearly those conditions which obtain in the dogs, but it is 

 much more compressed superiorly than in the dogs, thus resembling the cats. It 

 is, in fact, intermediate in form between that which obtains in the dogs and cats, 

 though approaching somewhat more nearly the latter. 



Considered as a whole, the carpus of Daphcenus seems remarkably cat-like, but 

 proportionately a little low and broad, the trapezoid and magnum being especially 

 reduced in height. It is, therefore, of quite primitive structure and indicates that 

 Daphosnus had not yet acquired cursorial habits. 



The Metacarpus. — PI. XVIII., Fig. 10. In Daphcenns the metacarpus is short 

 and broad as compared with that of either the dogs or cats. Metacarpal I. is longer 

 Avhen compared with the other metacarpals than in the recent dogs or cats. Its 

 articulation with the carpus is decidedly feline. It articulates with the trapezium 

 only, the lower portion of that bone being interposed between the proximal ends of 

 Metacarpals I. and II. in such manner as to exclude the former from contact with 

 the latter precisely as in the cats. Metacarpals II., III., IV. and V. are of about 

 equal strength. III. and IV. are the longer and are subequal in length w'hile II. 

 and V. are of about equal length but noticeably shorter than III. and IV. Meta- 

 carpals II., III., IV. and V. are closely applied proximally, but somewhat separated 

 distally. The proximal inter-articulation of these bones is much less complicated 

 than in the cats or dogs and they do not so perfectly interlock with one another as 

 in either of the latter, showing that the manus of Dapha^nus was less perfectly 

 digitigrade than that of recent dogs, though by no means plantigrade. The proxi- 

 mal articulation of these bones with one another is decidedly more canine than 

 feline. 



The Phalanges. — PL XVIII. , Fig. 10. The phalanges are intermediate in char- 

 acter between those of the dogs and cats. Those of the proximal row are somewhat 

 arched as in the cats. The second series are nearly symmetrical as in the dogs, but 

 the distal articular surfaces are less expanded laterally than in the dogs and are 

 continued further back, upon the superior surface, as in the cats, indicating that the 

 terminals were to a certain extent at least retractile. The terminal phalanges are 

 high and very much compressed claws with rudimentary hoods. They are dis- 

 tinctly cat-like rather than canine in character. 



Taken as a whole, the forelimb and foot of Daphoenus was comparatively short, 

 the forearm and foot especially so. In general, its structure is decidedly feline 

 rather than canine, and this applies alike to the bones of the brachium, the ante- 

 brachium and the manus, though there are a few canine characters, more especially 



