574 CARNIVORA 



raised each season ; and as a rule they all live in the same hole 

 until the following spring." 



The two ducts leading from the anal glands open at the tips of 

 two small conical papillae placed in such a position that the 

 animal can protrude them externally, and can thus guide the 

 direction of the jet of nauseous fluid, which can be propelled 

 by the powerful muscles surrounding the glands to a distance of 

 from 8 to 12 feet. 



The Long-tailed Skunk (J/, run crura), from Central and Southern 

 Mexico, has two lateral stripes, and a longer and more bushy tail 

 than the common species. M. putorius, of the Southern United 

 States and thence southwards to Yucatan and Guatemala, is of a 

 much smaller size, with four interrupted white lateral stripes, and 

 a skull differing considerably in form from that of the type species. 

 It is regarded by some writers as representing a distinct genus, 

 Spilogale ; and has been recently divided by Dr. 0. H. Merriam 

 into several nominal species. 



Conepatus. 1 — The Skunk of tropical America (C. mapacito), 

 ranging from Texas to Chili and Patagonia, differs considerably 

 from the true Skunks, although in colour it is almost precisely 

 similar to the common species, with which it also agrees in the 

 variation of the relative development of the black and white. Its 

 build is heavier than that of Mephitis ; the snout and head are more 

 Pig-like ; and the nostrils open downwards and forwards instead of 

 laterally on the sides of the muzzle. The skull also has many 

 special characters, and the teeth are different in shape and, as a rule, 

 in number also, the first minute premolar of Mephitis being almost 

 invariably absent, so that the dental formula is i %, c \, p %, 

 m h ; total 32. 



Remains of Conepatus, which have been referred to three species, 

 are found in the cavern-deposits of Brazil. 



Arcfnujix.- — Dentition : i % c \, p a m ^ ■ total 38. Incisor 

 line curved, the outer teeth being placed posteriorly to the others. 

 Lower incisors proclivous. First premolars often rudimentary or 

 absent. Upper molar much larger than the carnassial, longer in 

 the antero- posterior direction than broad ; lower carnassial with 

 a very large, low, tuberculated talon. Cranium elongated and 

 depressed ; face long, narrow, and concave above. Bony palate 

 extending as far backwards as the level of the glenoid fossa ; palatal 

 bones dilated ; suborbital foramina very large. Vertebra? : C 7, 

 D 16, L 4, S 4, C 20. Snout long, naked, mobile, and truncated, 

 with large terminal nostrils, much like that of a Pig. Eyes small. 

 Ears very small and rounded. Body compressed rather than 

 depressed. Limbs of moderate length and digitigrade in walking. 



1 Gray, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 2, vol. i. p. 581 (1837). 

 2 F. Cuvier, Hist. Nat. dcs Mammifires (1825). 



