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Show 1890.] SOUTH-AMERICAN CANID.E. 107 Burmeister tells us he received a specimen from Lagoa Santa, which seemed to agree with Lund's C.fulvicaudus, save that the end of the tail was black. H e then held (see his ' Uebersicht,' p. 102) this species of Lund to be a mere variety of Lund's C. vetulus. Later, however, he received from Lagoa Santa what he regarded as a true example of Lund's C. vetulus, and on studying it he came to the conclusion that the two species were distinct (' Fauna Brasiliens,' p. 41). Thus, he adds, " it was proved that a ruddy tail-end was no distinctive character oi C.fulvicaudus, although the underside of the tail was much redder than the upper, while in C. vetulus it appears Fig. 3. Side view of skull of Canis parvidens. a degree lighter and more faded \ Thus the two species can be well distinguished at the first glance" [ ! ]. This appears to m e a truly wonderful assertion. The species may be distinct, but I am confident a " first glance " would by no means serve to assure us of such a fact. N o w whatever may be the case as to the specific identity of Lund's C. vetulus and C. fulvicaudus, the specific identity of Bur-meister's C. vetulus and C.fulvicaudus seems to m e to be confirmed bv Burmeister's representations of their skulls. His figures only show small distinctions as to the form of the sagittal ridge and of the post-frontal processes, upon which he lays much stress, but which are in m y eyes valueless. 1 His words are:-" Grade blasser und mehr wie verblichen erscheint." |
