778 MAMMALIA, 
(3) ARCTOIDEA—Bear-like Carnivores 
The tympanic bulla shows no trace of an internal septum; the 
paroccipital process of the exoccipital is quite apart from the 
bulla, and widely separated from the mastoid process of 
the periotic. The limbs are plantigrade or sub-plantigrade, 
and always bear five toes. There is no caecum. 
Family Ursida—Bears. The molars have broad tuberculated crowns 
used for grinding. The three anterior premolars are usually 
rudimentary. The auditory bulla is depressed. In relation to 
the character of the teeth, it should be noted that the diet is at 
least in part vegetarian ; even the polar bear eats herbs in the 
summer. Ursus, aM absent from Ethiopian and Australian 
regions, represented in the Neotropical region by only one 
species, elsewhere widespread. 
Family Procyonide—The Himalayan Panda (.4/urus fulgens), the 
American raccoon (Procyon). 
Family Mustelide—The otter (Zzéra), the sea-otter (Latax /utris), 
the skunk (Mefhztz's), the badger (AZe/es), the ratel (Mel/zvora), 
the marten, sable, polecat, stoat, weasel (A/ustela). 
CREODONTA (extinct) 
In Eocene and early Miocene strata, in Europe and America, there 
are remains of what seem to be generalised Carnivora, ancestral to the 
modern types, and apparently related to Insectivora as well. Those 
included in the sub-order Creodonta have strong canines but no single 
carnassials, while the molars are often like those of Marsupials. The 
brain seems to have been small. 
Examples.—Ayenodon, Proviverra, Arctocyon. 
Order PINNIPEDIA. Seals, Eared Seals, and Walruses 
Marine Carnivores, unable to move readily on land, but coming 
ashore for breeding purposes. They feed for the most part on fish, 
molluscs, and crustaceans. Absent from the tropics, they are repre- 
sented on most of the coasts in temperate and Arctic zones. Many are 
inarkedly gregarious. 
The upper parts of the limbs are included within the skin and generaP 
contour of the body. There are five well-developed digits connected 
by a web of skin. In the hind-foot the first and fifth toes are generally 
stouter and longer than the rest. There are no clavicles. The tail is 
very short. 
The small milk-teeth are absorbed before or immediately after 
birth, The incisors are always fewer than 3 ; there are no carnassials ; 
the back teeth have pointed cusps, often sloping slightly backwards. 
The cranial cavity is rounded ; there is a characteristic interorbital 
constriction. 
The brain is large and well convoluted. The eyes are large and 
prominent, with a flat cornea. The external ear is small or absent. 
