| OCR Text |
Show 1903.] AN EXTINCT GENET FROM CYPRUS. 123 anterior cusps being less deeply excavated, and in the edge of the anterior lobe being less broadly expanded, though this last may be partly due to wear. This tooth also differs in the size of the inner-cusp, which is lower than in the older form and higher than in G. genetta, in which it is much reduced. The talon is small and has a raised posterior edge. The second, third, and fourth premolars are of considerable length antero-posterioiiy, and do not narrow towards their apices to so great an extent as do those of P. croizeti and generally those of Genetta. The outer edge of the carnassial is strongly convex in shape, and as a result of this there is a deep angle between the anterior portion of the tooth and the small posterior talon. This is not so marked in P. croizeti, in which the position of the angle is filled by a ridge. Although the carnassial of G. genetta does not show this convexity, there is nevertheless a very slightly developed cusp between the front of the tooth and the talon. Besides those characters in which G. genetta and P. croizeti agree together and differ from the Cyprus fossil, this last is further distinguished from the older form by having a less well-marked cingulum round the carnassial and the two posterior premolars, and in the crowns of these teeth being somewhat lower. Also the faintly marked notches on the anterior and posterior edges of the second and third premolars of G. plesictoides are absent in P. croizeti. Below are some measurements, given in millimetres, taken from the left mandibular ramus of the Cyprus fossil and of the recent Genet, and from the two right mandibular rami of P. croizeti in the collection of the British Museum, both of which are from the Oligocene of France. Antero-posterior length of lower carnassial Greatest width of lower carnassial Ant.-post, lensth of pm. 4 , „ „ pm-3 » „ pm. 2 From ant. margin of pm. 2 to post, margin of carnassial ... From lower margin of ramus to top of coronoid process ... Thickness of ramus below carnassial Approximate height of carnassial Gr. genetta. j G. plesictoides. 7-5 4 6 6 5 25 24 4 5 8 4o 7 6-5 55 27 245 5 6 P. croizeti P. croizeti. (type). 9 5 7 6 27 approx. 55 6-5 8 4-5 6-5 o'o 4-5 26 28 5 6-5 The limb-bones procured belong, presumably, to G. plesictoides, but probably all are not those of the same individual. I have compared them with the corresponding bones in a skeleton of G. senegalensis in the collection of the British Museum. They |
