WILD DOG OF THE HIMALAYA. 



233 



the posterior halves of them, instead of being bent concavely as they 

 approach a considerably elevated forehead — as is the case in all domestic 

 dogs, are bent convexly, uniting insensibly with the arcuation of a low^ 

 forehead. Tliere is consequently very little transverse dip or depression 

 in the fore part of the head : and indeed the entire vertical line of the 

 skull approaches, by its pretty uniform and gentle curvature to that of 

 the hyaena,^ — ^a form of head of which the true type is to be sought in the 

 felince : Frontal bones, lower and flatter than in any domestic dog — rather 

 higher and more arched than in the jackal, much more so than in the fox. 

 Frontal processes or brows, small, but rather larger and fidler than in the 

 jackal or fox. Frontal sinuses, not inconsiderable notwithstanding the 

 lowness of the frontal bones ; their want of development upM^ards and 

 outwards being compensated by a larger longitudinal range than is usual 

 with domestic dogs. The extent of anterior development of the frontal 

 sinuses in the Biiditsu, and their connexion with the nasal cavities and with 

 the brain, are, in particular, more striking than in any domestic dog's skull 

 I have had an opportunity to examine : and perhaps in these peculiari- 

 ties, taken in connexion with the superior elongation of the cartilaginous 

 portion of the nose, we may lind the true explanation of the Wild Dog's 

 superior powers of smell, despite the inferior development upon the whole 

 of his frontal sinuses, as compared with that of the same sinuses in the 

 spaniel. Parietals, as largely developed as in the spaniel. There is 

 somewhat less amplitude anteriorly, near the frontal sinuses: but it is 

 compensated by greater enlargement posteriorly and inferiorly. Great 

 longitudinal and transverse cristse, medial. Rami of the lower jaw, very 

 little bent; and the condyles, consequently, scarcely raised above the line 

 of the upper cheek teeth. The upper maxillary bones less compressed, 

 and the lower jaws more separated, ami the intermaxillary bones more 

 widened to the front than in tlu sj)auitl ; greatly more so than in the 

 jackal. By reason of llicse peculiarities the ineisoi- teeth staiul nearly in 

 a line as in the j'cluuc, instead of being bcut lulo a segment of a circle, 



