﻿EELIS SPELtEA. 27 



Second Phalanges, PI. XI, figs. 10 to 13. 



The second row of phalanges of Felis may, as is Avell-known, be easily distinguished 

 from those of other carnivora, by the peculiar outward turn of the distal articulation, which 

 is so formed that the last or ungual phalange may fall back on the outside of the second 

 so as to allow the claw to point upwards and protect its point from injury when 

 retracted. 



We are unable to give any rule for placing the phalanges of each digit in order, except 

 that the distal articulation of digit 2, and sometimes also that of digit 3, is not at 

 right angles to the axis of the bone, but at an angle of from 15° to 30°, as represented in 

 fig. 10 a. That of digit 5 is generally shorter and stouter, in proportion, than the 

 others. We have figured the largest of each form that we have met with. They are all 

 from Bleadon ; they occur also from the Sandford Hill Cave, and from Oreston, Caldy, 

 Ilford, and a great many other localities. 



The bone may be represented as triangular in section, from the distal to the proximal 

 epiphysis, gradually expanding from the former to the latter. The proximal articulation 

 is triangular in form, the inner and outer sides being convex, and the posterior deeply 

 concave, having a deep pit within the concavity. It is divided by a ridge into two lateral 

 concave portions, corresponding with the convexities of the distal articulation of the first 

 phalange, and ends anteriorly in a truncated spur, pointing forwards and upwards. 



The distal articulation is, as is well known, a cylindrical roll, set transversely on the 

 end of the bone, narrower in front than posteriorly, so that one end projects outwards 

 considerably, and at a varying angle to the axis. 



The same rule may be given for the determination of those of the hind paws, by their 

 superior stoutness, in proportion to their length, as we have given for the first phalanges. 



Third Phalanges, PI. XI, fig. 14. 



The third or terminal phalange is a bone of rare occurrence. Eive examples have 

 occurred to us from English deposits ; they are all from Bleadon. But one of them is in 

 a sufficiently perfect state to figure and describe. It is probably that of the smaller hind 

 toe. The lateral aspect may be gathered from the fig. 14, a being the articulation, the 

 point of attachment of the tendons of the flexor, and c that for those of the extensor or 

 retractile muscles. The large triangular portion which extended beyond these points is 

 a hollow sheath, which contains within it at a 7 a strong core, upon which the claw is 

 fixed, so that it is kept firm in its place by the sheath. The form of the whole of these 

 phalanges is alike, and we can find no difference between those of either the fore or hind 

 paw, except size, that of the thumb of the fore paw being enormous. One of these from 

 Gailenreuth is in the possession of Sir P. De Grey Malpas Egerton, Bart., M.P., E.R.S., 

 and measures 25 inches in antero-posterior length, and - 8 inch in width. 



