THE BRITISH OR LIGHT-TAILED SQUIRREL 703 



with the squamosals, anteriorly with the zygomatic plates of the 

 maxillse and with the small lachrymals. The greatest zygomatic 

 breadth falls slightly in front of the glenoid regions. The anterior 

 palatal foramina are very short and narrow; they barely notch the 

 maxillae. The palate is broad and flat, or rather slightly concave, with 

 a more or less evident trace of the median suture ; the maxillo-palatine 

 suture extends forwards to the level of ii^; the posterior palatine 

 foramina are very small ; the palatines extend for 2 or 3 mm. behind 

 ot', each having a well- 

 marked circular notch 

 on its margin behind 

 that tooth. The meso- 

 pterygoid fossa is wide; 

 and squarely truncated 

 in front; the pterygoid 

 bones are small and thin, 

 their hamular processes 

 considerably in front of 

 the bullae ; the ecto- 

 pterygoid processes are 

 feeble ridges, and be- 

 hind each is a very large 

 foramen ovale. The 

 presphenoid and basi- 

 sphenoid are wide and 

 little modified. The 

 ventral surface of the 

 broad basi-occipital has 

 the median ridge and 

 lateral concavities little 

 developed, but its mar- 

 gins are raised as con- 

 spicuous little flanges 

 which are applied to the 

 inner surfaces of the 

 bullae. The paroccipital 



processes are small, short, and stout, terminating above the level of the 

 condyles. The bulls are small, round, and moderately inflated ; inter- 

 nally they are divided by a number of bony septa; the external 

 meatus of each shows the beginning of a funnel-shaped prolongation ; 

 the petrous portions are of moderate size. 



The mandible is laterally compressed, and in relation to the molars 

 deep and heavily built. The lower incisors pass upwards close behind 

 m, to terminate in the bases of the coronoid processes. The condylar 



Fig. 99.— Skull of Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). 

 Life size. 



