844 On the Extinct Cats of America. [ December, 
Nimravus gomphodus Cope. 
The Mimravus gomphodus is as large as the full-grown panther 
of the large varieties. It probably stood as 
high above the ground, but whether the body 
had the elongate proportions of that animal, 
or the more robust form of the leopard and 
jaguar, cannot be ascertained in the absence 
of necessary material. Unless the animal had 
pendulous upper lips, a thing unknown among 
cats, the superior canine teeth must have 
been distinctly displayed on each side of the 
chin; their points descending entirely below 
the lower margin of the lower jaw, when the 
mouth is closed. As these points are less com- 
pressed than in the true sabre-tooths, they 
were less liable to fracture from lateral blows, 
but were more apt to be broken by fore-and-aft 
strains, owing to their slenderness. 
The long canines of this species testify to 
blood-thirsty habits, for as weapons for pene- 
trating wounds they are without rival among 
carnivorous animals. They resemble consider- 
ably the teeth of some of the Dinosauria, for 
instance, those of the Triassic Clepsysaurus. 
Fic. nd of The sectorial apparatus is especially effective, 
a and astragalus of and no tissue could long resist the combined 
rehelurus debilis. ye 
Fic Femur of action of the opposing blades of the two Jaws. 
žo: Nevertheless this species did not, probably, at- 
natural size. Mus. tack the large Merycocheri of the Oregon her- 
a bivores, for their superior size and powerful 
tusks would generally enable them to resist an enemy of the size 
of this species. They were left for the two species of Pogonodon, 
who doubtless held the field in Oregon against all rivals. The 
compressed mandibular rami of the Wimravus gomphodus, though 
less slender than those of the Archelurus debilis, are not so We! 
calculated to resist lateral strains as the more robust jaws of the 
majority of the existing Fe/ide. 
Nimi jaa 
dus. All 
Nimravus confertus Cope. ‘ 
Ithough a left mandibular ramus is al! that I have been r 
to obtain of this cat, the evidence is sufficient that it is specit- 
