OCR Text |
Show 1882.] PROF. ST.-GEORGE MIVART ON THE ALUROIDEA. 473 The Pelvis. The absolutely longest pelvis (measured from the most preaxial part of the ilium to the tuberosity of the ischium) I found was 30"'4 (Lion). In Crocuta it was 12"*45. The greatest lengths I found in the Viverrida were 12"*7 (Arctictis) and 11"*7 (Viverra civetta). Compared with the length of the spinal column (atlas to sacrum), taken at 100, the greatest proportional length of the pelvis was 27*1 (Hemigalidia), and the smallest 14*4 (Crocuta). The smallest in the Felida was 20*9, and the smallest in the Viverrida 17'4 (Genetta). The greatest breadth of the ilium I found to be in Viverra civetta 3"*0, in Genetta 1"*3, Paradoxurus 1"*0, in Galidictis 0"*9, in Galidia 0"*9, in Arctictis 2*"4, in Cryptoprocta 2"*0, in Herpestes 0"*8, in Eupleres 1"*7, in Crossarchus 1"*3, in Suricata 1"*3, in Proteles 4"*2, in Hyana striata 7"*9, in Crocuta 10"*4, and in Felis catus 1"*8. The ilium has its ventral preaxial angle enormously produced in the Hycenina, its preaxial margin nearly straight, and its tuberosities greatly everted. In Crocuta these conditions especially obtain: the ilium is more concave externally; and the process for the rectus (preaxial to the acetabulum) is very strongly developed. In Proteles these characters exist in a less pronounced degree. There may be two prominences (each like an ilio-pectineal prominence)- one just preaxiad to the acetabulum, and the other placed a little more ventrally on the pelvic brim. These may both be found (at least sometimes) in Cryptoprocta, Viverra, Crossarchus, and especially in Suricata. The Femur. The absolutely longest femora I found were 35"*5 (Tiger) and 31"*3 (Lion). The largest Viverrine femur was 14"*7 (Arctictis). It is 22"*8 in Crocuta. Compared with the spine at 100, the longest femur is 31*3 (Felis), 27*9 being the minimum feline proportion. The longest Viverrine proportions are 28*2 (Cryptoprocta), 27*5 (Genetta), and 26*7 (Suricata). The shortest are 19*3 (Viverra civetta) and 20*1 (Viverricula). In Proteles and Crocuta it is 26*5 and 26*4. Tbe femur is always a little longer than the humerus. In the Civet and Genet the bone is relatively shorter than in the Cat, and the lesser trochanter is relatively somewhat smaller. In Paradoxurus, Nandinia, Cynogale, and Hemigalea it is much flattened behind between the trochanters; and thus the lesser trochanter is thrown almost under the head of the femur instead of being behind (postaxial to) it. In Arctictis this flattening is at its maximum, the lesser trochanter is very small, the trochanteric fossa is shallow, and the great trochanter is relatively smaller than in other species. In Crossarchus and Suricata the femur becomes thicker in proportion to its length than in most species. In Hyana the small 32* |