SIWALIK AND NARBADA CARNIVORA. 
141—318 
the normal feline type ; but the second socket of the former is relatively narrower 
than in the leopard. The interval between the alveolus of pm. 3 and the canine is 
longer than in most living cats ; though not more so than in F. macrocelis. 1 Nearly 
in the middle of this interval there is the broken base of a minute, unicuspid, and 
probably functionless, pmTiy, The section of the canine is apparently of normal 
size. The inferior border of the jaw is nearly straight throughout the portion 
remaining, as in most existing cats : the depth of the jaw is also of the same general 
proportions : the mental foramen is double. Anteriorly the j aw differs very 
markedly from the jaws of all existing Felidce. In place of the outer and anterior 
faces of the ramus being continuous, and the alveolus of the canine coming close up 
to the anterior border, these surfaces are nearly at right angles, and separated by a 
strong vertical ridge, placed far in advance of the alveolus of the canine : the anterior 
surface of the mandible is consequently concave. Another remarkable feature is 
that the canine is placed unusually close to the symphysis, which must have been 
extremely narrow ; leaving a very contracted space for the incisors. The superior 
border of the ramus has a marked upward inclination towards the canine : while 
between the anterior vertical ridge and pm. 3 the outer surface of the jaw is strongly 
concave. 
Comparisons. — The general form of the jaw and mTI leaves no doubt that the 
specimen under consideration belongs to the Felidce ; while the presence of pm. 2, the 
talon of m. 1, and the form of the symphysial extremity, indicates that it is 
generically distinct from the existing cats, and belongs to the primitive forms of the 
group. From Pseudcelurus it is distinguished by the vertical symphysial ridge ; the 
anterior and lateral surfaces of the mandible being in that genus more or less 
perfectly continuous. Of the remaining genera 2 mentioned in the table on p. 314, 
Frolceurus is distinguished by the presence of the inner cusp to m. L ; while Dinictis , 
Fogonodon , Hoplophoneus , Machcerodus , and Fusmilus are distinguished by the descending 
symphysial expansion. In Nimravus 3 pm. 2 is wanting, and the superior border of the 
mandible does not ascend in advance of pm. 3. In Arclicelurus 4 the mandible is 
shorter, with a more curved inferior border than in the present specimen: the 
canines are also relatively short, whereas they were probably long in the latter. 
There now only remains FFlurogale , in which the general characters are the same as 
in the specimen under consideration ; the number of lower premolars being three in 
the typical race. If the description and figures of var. major of that species given 
by M. Filhol 5 be compared with those of the present specimen it will be found that 
there is a very close agreement between them. In speaking of the mandible M. 
Filhol observes : — “ JJespace occape par les incisives est tres-restreint , et des a peine s’il 
existe au niveau de la sympliyse une legere place pour loger ces dents qui , au nombre de trois, 
devaient etre tres-petites par rapport au volume des autres.” And again : — u Le maxillaire 
1 See Mivart, “The Cat,’’ fig. 169, p. 399. 3 Cope, ‘ Amer. Nat.,’ vol. XIV., p. 841. 
2 The abnormal JElurodon may be disregarded. 4 Ibid, p 842. 
5 “Phosphorites du Quercy,” pp. 260-9, figs. 211-12. 
i 2 
