﻿EELIS SPEL^EA. 149 



§ 3. Conclusion. — This diversity of opinion as to the actual affinities of Felis spelaa flows 

 from two causes — the imperfection of the fossil remains, and the fact that the variations in 

 the form and size of living feline species were not recognised. In the present Monograph 

 we have attempted to arrive at the truth by a strict analysis of the evidence afforded by 

 the Mendip Caves, which has never been submitted to the judgment of other naturalists. 

 In assigning a specific value to differences between Lion and Tiger, we have realised the 

 great amount of variation in size and form within the limits of a species, insisted 

 upon by our great philosophic naturalist, Mr. Charles Darwin. Our labours have resulted 

 in our being unable to admit that any other differences than the following are constant 

 in the Lion and Tio;er. 



In the Lion the frontal processes (i, Pis. VII — X) of the maxillaries extend as far 

 back as a transverse line passing through the naso-frontal suture; their apices are 

 pointed. The inner bounding line of the nasal aperture, viewed in front, forms an even 

 curve. The frontal ends of the nasal bones are flat. In the frontal bones the inter- 

 orbital space is natter and wider than in the Tiger. The temporal length of the frontals is 

 smaller, and consequently the post-orbital process is placed further back, and the 

 extension of the sagittal crest on the bone is less in the adult skulls. The comparatively 

 shorter space between the posterior palatal foramen (PI. VIII, j) and the orbital edge 

 of the palate relative to the basal length of the skull is also to be reckoned characteristic. 

 In the lower jaw (PI. I, a) the ramal process is invariably present. 



In the Tiger the frontal processes of the maxillary bones never extend so far back as 

 a transverse line passing through the naso-frontal suture ; their apices are truncated ; the 

 internal bounding line of the nasal aperture, when viewed in front, presents a double 

 curvature. The frontal portions of the nasals are bent downwards, so as to form a median 

 depression at their symphysis. The post-orbital processes have a larger frontal develop- 

 ment (see page 56), and cause the inter-orbital surface to be more concave and narrower 

 than in the Lion. The greater temporal length of the frontals causes the long-waisted 

 appearance of the skull, and the greater development of the sagittal crest on the frontals of 

 the adult. The posterior palatal foramen is further removed from the orbital edge of the 

 palate relatively to the basal length of the skull. The ramal process is invariably absent 

 from the lower jaw. These are the only points of difference that we find constant in the 

 large series of leonine and tigrine skeletons in Oxford and London. The bones of the 

 trunk and the extremities presenting such variations in size and form that we are unable 

 to recognise any to be constant. 



What, then, is the position of Felis spelaa in relation to these two animals, for the 

 form of the lower jaw and of the skull forbid its comparison with the Jaguar P 1 The 

 result of a minute comparison of its skeleton with those of the two former animals leads 

 us to the following conclusions : — First, that Felis spelcea is more leonine in character 

 than the recent Lion, and more divergent from the tigrine form. If the remains of the 



1 See Chapters I— VI. 



20 



