42 University of California Publications in Geology [Vol. 7 



FELLS, near HIPPOLESTES Merriam, C. II. 



The remains referred to the puma group of felines consist 

 of a portion of a mandible and four perfect metapodials. The 

 jaw and two of the metapodials were found near together and 

 may represent the same individual. They agree approximately 

 in form and dimensions with the corresponding elements of exist- 

 ing cougars included in Felis hippolestes, but it is hardly safe on 

 the basis of such fragmentary material to assume that the species 

 can be definitely determined. 



The jaw fragment (fig. 4) is almost identical in dimensions 



Fig. 4. Felis, near hippolestes Merriam, C. H. Fragment of mandible. 

 No. 19525, natural size. Rancho La Brea Beds. 



with the average of several specimens of Felis hippolestes, but 

 differs slightly in the shape of the coronoid process from the 

 normal form in this species. In most specimens of F. hippo- 

 lestes a line drawn between the middle of the posterior side of 

 the condyle and the most posterior part of the upper region of 

 the coronoid process will lean forward. In the specimen from 

 Rancho La Brea such a line is tipped strongly backward. This 

 is generally considered as a characteristic of the tiger, and is a 



