Descriptions of Two New Skunks. 33 



and Connecticut. So that it is probable that the range of M. avia does 

 not extend very far to the east of the type locality. Undoubtedly it is 

 the form of the central prairie region, being replaced in the north by 

 M. hudsouica and in the east by M. mephitica scrutator. 



Scrutator apparently reaches the height of differentiation in Louisiana. 

 The series of skunks from Cartville and Point aux Loups Springs, Acadia 

 Parish, Louisiana, from which I selected the type of M. mephitica scrutator, 

 shows about the proportion of tail to total length found in specimens 

 from the central Atlantic States. They are smaller, however, than ex 

 amples from Massachusetts and Connecticut, and have smaller, lighter 

 skulls and weaker dentition. Although they do not approach very nearly 

 the larger, shorter-tailed M. avia with its heavy peculiar skull, still it is 

 possible that intergradation may take place somewhere. 



