Vol. 5] 



Merriam 



, — John Day Carnivora. 



55 



and narrow nasal process. Though not entirely similar, the rela- 

 tions of this suture are somewhat like those of Deinictis. 



The palate is broad posteriorly and the inferior hares reach 

 forward almost to the molars. The posterior palatine foramina 

 are nearly opposite the anterior border of P 3 . 



The foramina of the basi-cranial region of the skull are much 

 like those of Nimravus and Deinictis. The alisphenoid canal and 

 foramen ovale are, in a shallow depression near the glenoid fossa. 

 The carotid canal and foramen lacerum posterium appear to be 

 separated. 



Dentition. — The anterior ends of the premaxillaries are broken 

 away, leaving only portions of the roots of the incisors. I 1 is 

 small and P very large. The canines are absent, but their alveo- 

 lar walls are well preserved, giving the approximate dimensions 

 of these teeth at the base. Compared with the sectorials, the 

 antero-posterior diameter is relatively larger than in Deinictis, 

 and approaches more nearly the size seen in Hoplophoneus. The 

 transverse diameter seems to indicate something less than the 

 degree of compression shown in the canines of most species of 

 Hoplophoneus. P 2 was very small and had but one root. P 3 is 

 relatively smaller than in Deinictis. In addition to the large pos- 

 terior cusp, there is present a minute tubercle situated on the 

 inner side of the anterior border. The superior sectorial does not 

 possess a distinct deuterocone, though the inner root is moder- 

 ately developed. Somewhat above the basal end of the sharp an- 

 terior edge of the protoeone on the right sectorial there is a faint 

 but distinct notch separating an incipient protostyle. The an- 

 terior border of the left sectorial is somewhat worn, but shows 

 traces of a similar notch on the worn edge, though it was evi- 

 dently weaker than on the other sectorial. Though the incipient 

 protostyle occupies the same position as in Hoplophoneus and 

 other more highly specialized sabre-tooths, I do not think that 

 its presence necessarily indicates that this form is to be included 

 in the genus Hoplophoneus. In a Deinictis specimen (No. 10257) 

 from the White River beds I find similar, though somewhat 

 weaker, notches separating incipient protostyles on P* and P 3 of 

 both right and left series. 



