SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES 



79 



at about this time also and were abundant in both Europe 

 and North America during Oligocene and Miocene times. 

 They are known to have reached India by the early part of 

 the Pliocene and seem to have migrated along the Isthmus 

 of Panama to South America as soon as it emerged from 

 the sea at the dawn of Pliocene time. It is of interest to 

 note in this connection that the nearest living allies of the 



Figure 23 — Dorsal view of the hind foot and! 

 Daphoenodon superbus. Peterson, 1910. 



the fore foot of 



White Elver Oligocene and Miocene forms are certain foxes 

 now inhabiting South America. 



According to Cope, the Canidae, so far as concerns 

 structure, occupy a position intermediate between the gen- 

 eralized carnivores, such as the raccoons, and the highest 

 specialized forms, the cats; but in brain character they dis- 

 play superiority to all of the other carnivore families. The 



