FOSSIL CARNIVORA 



21 



Canid^, or Dogs. 



The living species of Canidse — Wolves, Coyotes, Foxes — are 

 found only in the most recent deposits (Pleistocene). A great 

 variety of extinct species is known, some of which are the ances- 

 tors of modern forms, while others belong to side branches which 

 have not survived. Most remarkable of these side branches were 

 the Amphicyons or Bear-like Dogs, some of which were of huge 

 size, equalling the modem Polar Bear — see skull and backbone 

 of Dinocyon in wall-case No. 8. A large series of skulls of vari- 



FIG. 15. SKULL OF DINOCYON 

 A gigantic extinct dog from the Upper Miocene of Texas. One-fourth natural size 



ous extinct Dogs of the Oligocene and Miocene epochs is shown 

 in the table -case. These indicate the evolution of the modem 

 species from animals much more like the Civets in proportions 

 and in the character of their teeth. It has been possible to trace 

 out the probable direct lineage of at least two of the modem 

 dogs, the Dhole of India, and certain South American foxes, 

 through these North Amencan fossil species. Other fossil species 

 belong to races of Canids now extinct. 



The increase in brain capacity from ancient to modern ani- 

 mals is well shown in this senes of skulls. All ancient Dogs had 

 small brains of inferior organization to their modern descendants. 



