144^ 



CLASS MAMMALIA. 



and the lower carnassial retained a small inner cusp. Turning to the 

 consideration of fossil forms which may undoubtedly be included in 

 the present family in the sense in which it is here employed, we 

 find that they have a larger number of teeth than existing forms, 

 and many or all of them retain the alisphenoidal canal. Of these 

 sElurictis (s£/uroga/e) is typically represented by a large species 

 in the Quercy Phosphorites of France, and has also been recorded 

 from the Pliocene of India. The formula of the cheek-teeth is 



Pm. ,-^-v, M. , ; ; but it is not improbable that this genus may 



(3-4) (1-2) 



prove inseparable from Nimravus (fig. 1329), in which the number 

 of lower premolars is reduced to two. Other allied genera from the 



3 * 



North American Miocene are Archcelurus, with Pm. , x , M. - ; 



3 1 (3_4) 



Pogonodon (fig. 1330), with Pm. -, M. - • and Hoplophoneus, with 



(2-3) 1 3 I 



Pm. , M. -. In addition to the generally large number of 



premolars, and the presence of a second lower true molar, this group 



Fig. 1330. — The right lateral aspect of the skull of Pogonodon ftlatycopis', from the Miocene 

 of North America. About two-fifths natural size. 2, 3, 4, Premolars ; 1, True molar ; PG, 

 Postglenoid process. (After Cope.) 



exhibits the Viverroid feature of a talon, and sometimes an inner 

 cusp (Hoplophoneus\ to the lower carnassial, and the general absence 

 of the first lobe in the corresponding upper tooth (fig. 1329). In 

 several of the genera the front of the mandibular symphysis is angu- 

 lated and furnished with a descending flange, as in fig. 1330. In 

 Hoplophoneus, of which the entire skeleton has been described by 



