88 
CREODONTA. 
the genera; but, in Stypolophiis hians^ there were probably five, the inner 
being of reduced size. There is present in those species an entocuneiform 
bone, which resembles that of Cams; it is compressed, with one truncate 
concave terminal facet, and an internal oblique one at the opposite and 
proximal extremity. The form of the truncate articular face of the distal 
end indicates the existence of an inner metatarsal bone of moderate propor¬ 
tions, which probably supported a small hallux. This thumb could not be 
opposable, as in the Opossum. 
In general appearance, the Creodonta differed from the Carnivora^ in 
many of the species at least, in the small relative size of the limbs as com¬ 
pared with that of the head, and in some instances as compared with the size 
of the hind feet. The feet were probably plantigrade, and the posterior ones 
capable of some degree of horizontal rotation. The probable large size of 
the rectus femoris muscle indicates unusual power of extension of the hind 
limb. They were furnished with a long and large tail. Probably some of 
the species resembled in proportions the Mystomys and Solenodon, now 
existing in Africa and the West Indies, but they mostly attained a much 
larger size. 
To the Creodonta must be referred, according to the information which 
we possess, the genus Arctocyon of Blainville. Professor Gervais has dis¬ 
covered that it possessed the very small cerebral hemispheres characteristic 
of the Creodonta. The olfactory lobes are large, and project far beyond 
the hemispheres, while not only the cerebellum, but probably the corpora 
quadrigemina, were exposed behind. The tarsal articulation and the poste¬ 
rior part of the mandibular bones are unknown, hence this reference is not 
certain. Professor Gervais''^' regards it, after Laurillard,f as a Marsupial, and 
establishes an especial family of the order for its reception. It is, however, 
more probable that its affinities are with the contemporary genera of flesh- 
eaters Palceonyctis., Blv., and Pterodon, Blv., genera which have near allies 
among the subjects of this memoir. Palceonyctis was the contemporary of 
the Coryphodons in the Suessonian period of Western Europe, and presents 
a strong resemblance to Aniblocionus in its mandible, the only part of the 
*Nouv. archives da museum, 1870, i). 150. 
tDict. uuiv. d’hist. uaturelle, ix, p. 400. 
