410 AFRICAN MUNGOOSES 



sometimes raised to generic rank as Urva, is partly aquatic in 

 habit ; it feeds upon crabs and frogs, but is quite willing to take 

 to poultry and their eggs. 



Helogale is a genus whose validity appears doubtful (to Dr. 

 Mivart). It is African, and contains two species. 



FIG. 202. White-tailed Ichneumon. Herpestes albicauda. x i. 



Cynictis is an African genus, with five digits on the fore-limbs 

 and four on the hind. As in Herpestes, the orbit is completely 

 encircled by bone. There is but a single species, C. penicillata, 

 which is of a reddish colour and has a bushy tail. 



Bdeogale, also African, has the toes still further reduced ; 

 there are only four on both limbs. The tarsus is hairy and the 

 tail bushy. They are " very rare animals, and nothing is known 

 of their habits." It is known, however, that they will kill 

 poisonous snakes, for Dr. Peters took a Ehinoceros Viper out of 

 the stomach of one. 



Rhynchogale l differs from all other genera of Viverridae, except 

 Crossarchus and Suricata, in having no groove upon the muzzle. 

 There are five digits. There is the full Viverrine dentition, with 

 five premolars in the upper jaw ; but this may be an abnormality. 2 



Crossarchus differs from the last in only having three pre- 

 molars on each side of each jaw. It is also African, and there 

 are several species. 



Suricata is the last genus of Viverridae ; it is also African, 

 and contains a single species, S'uricata tetradactyla, the " Meerkat " 

 of the Cape. The Suricate has but four toes on each foot ; the 

 tarsus and the metatarsus are naked below. The body is banded 

 posteriorly. There are fifteen dorsal vertebrae, and the orbit is 



1 The original name was Rhinogale. 

 2 That it is an abnormality has been recently stated. 



