HATCHER : OLIGOCENE CANIDiE 93 



arched palmar surface of all the metatarsals. In Daj)hcenus metatarsal I. is present 

 and bears two well developed and functional phalanges, thus differing materially from 

 both the recent cats and dogs. The articulation between the proximal ends of the 

 metatarsals and the distal row of tarsals is more complicated than in either the cats 

 or dogs. This is due to a system of " breaking joints " as it were, well shown in 

 the figure. The entocuneiform, besides articulating externally with the mesocunei- 

 form, has a quite extended contact with the internal surface of the proximal end of 

 metatarsal II., while the latter, as already remarked, externally overlaps the lower 

 one half of the internal side of the ectocuneiform. The proximal end of metatarsal 

 IV. rises above metatarsal III. and articulates with the extreme distal, external 

 lateral surface of the ectocuneiform. The distal extremities of the metatarsals are 

 expanded dorsally just above the articular surfaces into prominent rugose tuber- 

 osities as in tlie cats. 



The Phalanges. — PL XVIII., Fig. 9. The proximal phalanges are arched as in 

 the cats, save that of digit I. which is comparatively straight. The second series of 

 phalanges are less symmetrical than the same series in the manus, and approach 

 more nearly the form assumed by that series in the modern cats. As in the cats 

 the outer border is the thicker, and the distal articular surfaces are directed some- 

 what externally. The unguals are developed into sharp-pointed, high, compressed, 

 hooded claws, as in the cats, instead of curved cylindrical cones as in the dogs. As 

 in the fore foot the structure of the unguals and second series of phalanges indicates 

 that Daphcenus was provided with retractile claws much as the modern cats. There 

 were but two phalanges in the first digit. Taken as a whole the pes of Daphcenus 

 was a little shorter and broader than that of the modern cats, and decidedly more 

 so than that of the recent dogs. It was much longer however than in the ma- 

 chairodonts. There were the usual sesamoids, both in the fore and hind feet, but 

 they present no peculiarities and hence need no further description. 



Principal Measurements op Hind Leg and Foot. 



Greatest length of femur 201 mm. 



Expanse of condyles 32 " 



Greatest lenjith of patella 21 " 



" breadth of patella 16 " 



" thickness of patella 8 " 



" length of tibia 179 "' 



Distance from posterior border of external trochlea to summit of cnemial crest 41 " 



Transverse diameter of proximal end of tibia 36 " 



" , " distal end of tibia 28 " 



Depth of internal malleolus below internal groove for astragalus 13 " 



Length of fibula 168 " 



