xin SECRETIONS OF SKUNKS 433 



fissures of rocks, or in holes dug by itself. It is a purely nocturnal 

 beast. 



The singular genus Mydaus, containing the species M. meli- 

 ceps, the Teledu or Javanese Skunk, is an inhabitant of Java and 

 Sumatra. It frequents the mountains of these islands, into the 

 soil of which it burrows in search of worms and larvae. There 

 is but one species, which is " like a miniature badger, of rather 

 eccentric colours." It is blackish brown, with a yellowish -white 

 top to its head, and a stripe of the same colour down the back. 

 It may be distinguished by its elongated snout, obliquely trun- 

 cated, and with inferiorly- placed nostrils. As to osteological 

 characters, it has a more oblique symphysis of the mandible 

 than in any other Carnivore. The secretion of the anal glands 

 is said to rival that of the Skunk in offensiveness and in the 

 distance to which it can be propelled. 



Sub-Fam. 2. Mustelinae. Representatives occur in both the 

 Old and JSfew Worlds ; but the genera and even the species are in 

 one or two cases common to both. 



Galictis Barbara, 1 the Tayra, is a brown, elongated, and Weasel- 



FlG. 219. Tayra. Galictis barbara. x f . 



like animal from Mexico and South America. As is the case with 

 the Weasel, it is sometimes gregarious, a herd of twenty having 

 been observed. The soles of the feet are naked, and the molar 

 formula is Pm . M ^. In these characters the Grison (G. vittata) 

 agrees with G. barbara ; but it has been referred to a different 

 genus, Grisonia. 



The Grison, " this savage and diabolical-looking weasel," as 



1 See Trans. Zool. Soc. ii. 1841, p. 201. 

 VOL. X 2 F 



