420 G. I. Adams — Extinct Felidce of North America. 



Scott (Proc. Phila. Acad., 1889). In describing it I shall 

 make comparisons with the lynx {Lynx canadensis) and occa- 

 sionally with the lion, since the bones of the lynx, although 

 they are nearly the same size, do not express the feline charac- 

 ters so well as do those of the lion. I shall not attempt to 

 quote from previous descriptions or give minute descriptions 

 where the characters agree with those of recent felines. The 

 osteology is illustrated by Plate X. 



In general Hoplojphoneus primcevus is comparable in size 

 with the lynx, although having a longer head, the distal por- 

 tions of the limbs relatively much shorter and the tail long. 



The skull. —The skull is one-fourth longer from the condyles 

 to the premaxillary border than that of the lynx. This is due 

 to a greater proportionate length of the face and palate. In 

 H. primcevus the distance from the condyles to the line of 

 the upper molars is nearly the same as from that line to the 

 premaxillary border. While in the lynx the first measurement 

 is about the same as that of H. primcevus, the latter is only 

 about one-half as great. The brain case is not quite so large 

 as that of the lynx and the post-orbital constriction is much 

 more marked. The face is not only proportionately longer but 

 wider, the width at the canines being as great as the width of 

 the brain case at the parietotemporal suture. The zygomata 

 are expanded about as much as in the lynx in proportion to 

 the length of the skull, but the space enclosed is proportionately 

 longer and much wider because of the constriction of the brain 

 case and the smaller size of the orbit. The orbit is consider- 

 ably smaller than that of the lynx and is horizontally oval. 

 The post orbital processes of the frontals and malar are short 

 and rather stout. 



The face is strongly arched transversely ; seen from the side 

 the angle it makes with the posterior portion of the skull is 

 about the same as in the panther or lion, but it is straighter 

 and the frontal region not so full. 



The bones of the skull are much thicker than those of the 

 lynx and the processes and borders much more massive. This 

 is seen in the inion and post-tympanic process. The latter is 

 trihedral and truncated distally. It is directed slightly towards 

 the post-glenoid as if tending to approach it. The zygomatic 

 process is strong and drooping with its glenoid portion look- 

 ing slightly inward. The lambdoidal and sagittal crests are 

 rather high and thick. The fronto-temporal ridges diverge at 

 the fronto-parietal suture. 



The sutures of the skull are very similar to those of recent 

 felines. The nasal processes of the frontals do not extend so 

 far anteriorly, being separated by a considerable space from the 

 ascending rami of the premaxillaries. The nasals are long 



