344 CARNIVORA 



height of which in old individuals is equal to nearly half inter- 

 orbital breadth, the skull of Meles meles is rather smooth and 

 without marked angularity. Depth of brain-case (without crest) 

 and depth through posterior portion of orbit nearly equal, and 

 about two-thirds mastoid breadth ; depth at front of nasal about 

 two-thirds that at orbit. Dorsal profile (without crest) nearly 

 flat from middle of brain-case to interorbital region, convex over 

 posterior half of brain-case ; rostrum sloping downward at angle 

 of about 30° with surface of brain-case. When crest is fully 



FIG. 08. 

 Meles melex. 



developed it reduces this angle to 20° or less. It is slightly 

 convex anteriorly, rather abruptly convex posteriorly, the hinder- 

 most portion slightly overhanging. Postorlntal piocesses short 

 but well developed, sharply outlining the small orbit (greatest 

 diameter of orbit slightly less than half that of interorbital 

 region) which, though widely open posteriorly, is more than half 

 encircled with bone. Rostrum moderately long, the distance 

 from gnathion to front of zygoma about equal to width of palate 

 including molars, and continued about 3,'; times in condylobasal 

 length of skull. Zygomata widel}' spreading posteriorly, narrow 



