1880. } On the Extinct Cats of America. 835 
and Hoplophoneus. Three genera, as yet only found in Europe, 
are similar in general characters, and probably agree with them. 
Tallude to Proelurus Filh., Ælurogale Filh., and Eusmilus Gerv. On 
the other hand, the genus Smlodon, which includes the Ameri- 
can sabre-tooths of Pliocene age, agrees with the true cats 
in the points in question; 2 e., the alisphenoid, postglenoid and 
postparietal foramina are wanting; the carotid foramen is either 
internal or wanting, and the condylar enters the jugular foramen 
at its mouth. This surprising condition of affairs makes it im- 
portant to learn the characters to be found in the species of the 
longest known genus, Drepanodon, of the European beds. But 
although there are several good crania in European museums, I 
can find no description of their minute characters, and no men- 
tion made of their foramina. The probabilities are, on various 
grounds, that this genus agrees with Suiodon in the latter char- 
acters. The reasons in favor of this supposition are, the agree- 
ment in special dental characters, and the Pliocene age of the typi- 
cal species, D. cultridens. Whether the Miocene species of San- 
san and Epplesheim agree with this one in structure, is of course 
uncertain. 
Seven and perhaps eight genera then, constitute a group to be 
distinguished from the true Fe/ide, and, as it appears to me, as a 
distinct family. Should we ignore the characters adduced in this 
instance, we abandon at the same time the definitions of several 
of the other families of the order, and in fact, throw the system 
into confusion. I have proposed to call this family the Mimravi- 
de, and have contrasted it with the Fe/ide in the following defini- 
tion. Both are included n the division already defined on a pre- 
ceding page. 
No distinct carotid foramen nor alisphenoid canal ; 
condylar foramen entering the foramen lacerum 
posterius. No postparietal, and generally no post 
glenoid foramina ; Felide. 
Carotid and Cerise foramina entirely distinct from 
the foramen lacerum posterius; an alisphenoid 
canal, and post glenoid A postparietal for- 
amina; Nimravide. 
NIMRAVIDÆ. 
The dental characters of the Nimravide are in general those of 
the Felidae, the higher genera having the same dental formula. 
