HISTORY OF THE CARNIVORA 



569 



in proportion. The teeth were considerably reduced in num- 

 ber, the formula being : *j, cy, p§, to|, a loss of at least twelve 

 from the primitive total of 44. The single upper molar was a 

 large sectorial, which was formed much as in the fhysenodonts, 

 the two external cusps connate, but not indistinguishably 

 fused together, and a long, trenchant ridge behind, while the 

 inner cusp had almost vanished. The second lower molar 



Fig. 282.- 



- ^Patriofelis ferox, Bridger stage. Restored from a skeleton in the 

 American Musemn. 



was very cat-like ; its cutting blade was formed of two shearing 

 cusps ; of the inner cusp no trace was left, and of the heel merely 

 a vestige. The first lower molar was smaller and less specialized, 

 since it retained a small internal cusp and quite a large heel. 



The skull was very large and massive, with elongate cra- 

 nium and shortened face, the muzzle broad and abruptly trun- 

 cate, not tapering; the brain-case was exceedingly small, 

 with very long and prominent sagittal crest ; the zygomatic 

 arches were extremely heavy and curved outward boldly, so 



