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consequently the condyle and the glenoid cavity become very enlarged, and the
temporal root of the zygoma is more heavy than in any other Carnivore.
The exceedingly strong processus postglenoideus abuts against the flat,
Ursus-like bulla; and as the heavy head — which is made still more heavy by the great
specific gravity of the bones, which is, I think, only exceeded by the specific
gravity of the bones of the Sirenia — requires very powerful neck-muscles for
supporting and fixing it, the occiput becomes very broad. This in connection with the
large postglenoid process gives a peculiar antero-posteriorly compressed appearance
to the basis cranii. That explains the form of the bulla, the short distance between
the glenoid cavity and the mastoid process, the extraordinary place of the meatus
acusticus externus and the nearness of the foramina to each other. — The
systematic importance of the alisphenoid canal seems somewhat doubtful. It is absent in
Felidæ, present in Viverridæ (except in Viverricula, Cynogale [according to Flower,
absent according to Mivart], Galidictinæ, Eupleres, Proteles), absent in Hyænidæ,
present in Ursidæ, absent in Æluropus, absent in Procyonidæ (except Ælurus),
absent in Mustelidæ. — Steno’s fissure is absent in Procyonidæ, present in Ælurus,
absent in Ursidæ, present in Æluropus.
The resemblance between the skull of Æluropus and that of Ælurus is due to
a convergent development of the teeth. According to Flower & Lydekker (l. c.
pag. 562) it feeds chiefly on fruits and other vegetable substances; David says (1871,
pag. 89): “Du reste, le petit panda, Ailurus fulgens, .... tâche aussi de varier,
avec de la viande, ses repas, qui d’ordinaire consistent en végétaux, fruits, feuilles,
bourgeons, pousses de bambous sauvages, selon la saison”. Evidently the food of
the two animals is nearly similar and must have the same effect on the teeth, and
these again on the form of the head: the short muzzle, the large and crowded
multicuspid teeth, the wide zygomatic arches, the expanded glenoid cavity and large
processus postglenoideus, — all is due to the same cause. The obliquely cut ends
of the mandibular condyles are not unique among the Carnivores; they seem to be
characteristic of animals with strong articulation and large processus postglenoidei,
they are e. g. very conspicuous in Meles, also to be seen in Hyæna and others. The
strong muscles which require a large area for attachment, dilate the processus
coronoidei and give them their peculiar form. But as the brain-case is relativly
larger in Ælurus than in Æluropus, the muscles get sufficient space on it without
transforming it as in Æluropus, and the smaller and lighter head requires not so
strong neck-muscles, therefore the basis cranii is not so much transformed as in
Æluropus, and the typical Procyon-like bulla is not altered.
The Bears are omnivorous animals; young European bears feed chiefly on soft
fruits, young sprouts and other soft vegetables, even the polar bear is said to eat
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