1880. ] On the Extinct Cats of America. 849 
Pogonodon brachyops Cope. 
This was a most formidable animal, and its dental characters 
indicate a high degree of efficiency of both the lacerative and of 
the biting functions, While the P. platycopis has a larger de- 
velopment of the canine teeth, it is inferior in the relative size of 
Fic. 10. 
—Lower jaw of Nimravus confertus, one-third natural size. Fic. 11.— 
Dorsal s eee Moria of Pogonodon brachyops, one-third natural size. Mus.Cope, 
From Vol. iv, U. S. Geol. Surv. Terrs 
the sectorials.. In the latter respect the P. drachyops resembles 
the species of Mimravus and Archelurus, but these are furnished 
with smaller or more slender canines. It, however, resembled the 
latter in having the feet relatively smaller than in the recent 
cats, a character which indicates inferior prehensile power. Un- 
fortunately no ungual phalanges have been preserved, so that 
we cannot learn whether they confirmed this indication by re- 
sembling those of the Cynelurus Jubatus or the still less special- 
ized forms of other families. 
History. This species was the first of the Oregon felines of 
which bones were obtained. It was first sent here by Mr. C. H. 
Sternberg from the Truckee Miocene bad-lands of the John Day 
valley, Oregon. Although I do not possess a mandible, I am 
Satisfied that it is more nearly allied to Dinictis and the present 
genus than to Mimravus. It differs from the species of that genus 
and Archelurus in the following points: (1) the truncate triangu- 
lar Posttympanic process; (2) the transverse frontomaxillary su- 
a ture; (3) the preorbital impressed depression; (4) the superior 
ae Doaition of the postparietal foramen. 
Hortorxongus Cope. 
In this genus we reach the dental formula of Drepanodon and 
_ the true cats, while at the same time the primitive form of the 
— VOR. x1V.—"o. x11, 55 
