of the Dog, the Wolf, and the Fox. 253 



in the dog than in the wolf and fox. The arched form of the 

 jaw-bone in dogs ? joined to its greater size, contribute greatly to 

 produce this result. This character is so inherent in their or- 

 ganization, that it is almost as apparent in those races which are 

 least intelligent as in those which man rears with the greatest 

 assiduity. Nor is it useless to observe, that the distance between 

 the two condyles of the jaw-bone is greater in the dog than in the 

 two other animals, which is owing to the larger development of 

 the base of its cranium. 



Finally, the depression which is seen externally in the ramus 

 of the lower jaw-bone, and which is intended to lodge the mas- 

 seter muscle, is much deeper in the dog than in the wolf. Though 

 this peculiarity may not be so striking as most of those we have 

 already pointed out, yet it still deserves to be remembered, as it 

 may assist in distinguishing isolated fragments, of which de- 

 scription specimens almost always are. 



What we have now done regarding the characters supplied 

 by the comparison of the head of the wolf and the fox with 

 that of the dog, we might also have executed with equal advan- 

 tage with the other parts of the skeleton. But we are not to 

 forget that we meant to confine ourselves within these limits ; 

 and, besides, this subject would unquestionably be better han- 

 dled by those anatomists who reside in Paris, or other capitals, 

 where they have the advantage of great museums, and nume- 

 rous objects of comparison are ever within their reach. As to 

 what we have performed, we believe it will be found entitled to 

 considerable confidence, inasmuch as Messrs Dubreuil, Profes- 

 sor of Anatomy to the Medical Faculty at Montpellier, and Dr 

 Jeanjean, with whom we have had the pleasure of publishing 

 various memoirs, have had the kindness, on this occasion, to ve- 

 rify the more important statements. — Bibliotheque Universelle^ 

 March 1835. 



VOL. XIX. NO. XXXVITI. OCTOBER 1835. 



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