THE CARNIVORES 183 



l|, Cy,p|,M-|. total 40. 



The incisors call for no comment but the canines are nar- 

 row, blade-like and characteristically turned outward. The 

 four premolars increase in size and complexity from before 

 backward, the last in each series being quite molariform. On 

 the fourth upper premolar which has lost its sectorial character 

 almost completely the small postero-internal cusp previously 

 mentioned is apparent. The first upper molar is subquadrate 

 with a hypocone of fair size ; the second is smaller and tritu- 

 bercular. The first mandibular molar presents a trigonid of 

 which the metaconid is more prominent than the other two 

 cusps and a large talonid the breadth of which is greater than 

 that of the trigonid. The second is similar but has lost its 

 paraconid and has a better marked hypoconulid upon its 

 talonid. 



The last family of the Fissipedia remaining for consideration 

 is that of the Bears (Ursidae), which in spite of their present 

 considerable differences in structure can be traced back to 

 canine forms of the upper Miocene. The specimen figured 

 is the somewhat deformed skull of a young female American 

 Black Bear, Ursus americanus (Fig. 65). The example was 

 chosen in spite of its defects, because the full quota of upper 

 premolars is still present on the right side and the cusps of 

 the cheek teeth are but little worn. The food of the Black 

 Bear consists, according to Dr. Merriam, "not only of mice and 

 other small mammals, turtles, frogs and fish, but also ants 

 and their eggs, bees and their honey, cherries, blackberries, 

 raspberries, blueberries and various other fruits, vegetables, 

 and roots." The dental formula is: 



lf.cipf,M|.total42. 



In the Bears the three anterior premolars are rudimentary 



