20 CARNIVORA. 
Order CARNIVORA. 
Suborder CARNIVORA PRIMIGENLIA. 
The present suborder includes the genera Hyanodon, Pterodon, 
Oxyena, and probably Proviverra (Cynhycnodon, Filhol), together 
with numerous other forms from the older Tertiaries of North 
America and Europe. In his latest memoir on these animals, Cope’ 
includes the whole of them, together with the existing Insectivora, 
in the suborder Creodonta of his order Bunotheria’, the latter being 
a group of primitive mammals comprehending a number of types, 
and being somewhat analogous to the subclass Metatheria (Marsu- 
pialia). By Huxley’ it is considered probable that Hyenodon and 
its allies occupy a position connecting the Carnivora with the 
Insectivora ; and as Provwerra seems to connect them very closely 
with some of the canoid Carnivora Vera, they are provisionally 
placed in the former order, with the title of Carnivora Primigenia’*. 
It is highly probable that the so-called Insectivora should really 
- form another suborder (Carnivora Insectivora) of the Carnivora; 
but as it seems best, as far as possible, to avoid interfering with the 
arrangement adopted in recent Zoology, the order has been retained 
for the present. One of the most distinctive points of the present 
suborder is the small size of the brain, which in Proviverra is more 
like that of an Insectivore than a Carnivore; while another is the 
structure of the last three cheek-teeth, all of which assume a 
sectorial character. 
Family HY ANODONTIDA, 
Cope’ includes in this family only the single genus Hycnodon, 
referring the genera Oxyena, Pterodon, and others to the family 
Oxyendce*; the relations between Hycnodon and Pterodon seem, 
however, to be so intimate that 1t appears more advisable to include 
them in a single family. 
1 Amer. Nat. 1884, pp. 255, 344, 478. 
2 In a former work (Rep. U.S. Geog. Surv. West of 100th Meridian, vol. iy. 
pt. i. p. 89) Hyenodon, on account of its larger brain, was separated from the 
Creodonta and referred to the Carnivora. 
8 Proc. Zool. Soc. 1880, p. 284. 
4 The term “Creodonta” would be inappropriate if applied in this con- 
junction. 
5 Amer. Nat, 1884, p. 261. 6 Tid. p. 480. 
