ORDER CARNIVORA. 



1443 



the upper carnassial (fig. 1327, a), and by the loss of the inner 

 cusp and reduction in the size of the hind talon of the lower carnas- 

 sial (fig. 1327, b). 



The most generalised representative of this group is H. eximia, 

 of the Lower Pliocene of Greece and Persia, in which the first lower 

 premolar is retained, but the second lower true molar is lost, as in 

 all the other members of this group. 1 H. Colvini (fig. 1326) of the 



Fig. 1327. — (a), Palatal view of right upper carnassial and true molar; and (b), Outer view 

 of right lower carnassial of Hycena crocuta. 



Indian Siwaliks, in which pm. 1 has disappeared, may probably be 

 regarded as the ancestor of the existing Spotted Hyaena (H. crocuta) ; 

 while H. robusta, of the Upper Pliocene of Italy, is allied to H. 

 Colvini, but retains/;;/. 1. 



The Spotted Hyaena is now found m South Africa, but occurs in a fossil 

 state in the Pleistocene of both Europe and India. It is characterised 

 by the minute size of the upper true molar (fig. 1327), and the extremely 

 small size of the hind talon of the lower carnassial (ibid.) The facial 

 part of the cranium (fig. 1328) is very broad and short. 



Remains of the Spotted Hyaena occur in vast quantities in many 

 European cave-deposits ; and were especially abundant in the celebrated 

 Kirkdale cave in Yorkshire, explored in the early part of this century by 

 Dean Buckland, and also that of Gailenreuth in Franconia. That these 

 caves were dens in which the Hyaenas dwelt is evident from the marks 

 of their teeth on the bones of other animals dragged in by them for 

 food, as well as by other unmistakable evidence. 



Family Felid.e. — The Felidce, in which the NimravidcB of Pro- 

 fessor Cope are included, are the most specialised representatives of 

 the entire order ; this being especially shown in the existing forms 

 by the shortness of the skull, in which there is no alisphenoidal 



1 In a skull of the Spotted Hyaena in the College of Surgeons there is a second 

 lower true molar on one side. 



