THE GENUS GULO. 33 



Generic characters.— Den /rtZ formula : i. |^ ; c. i^ ; pm. ^=4 ; 

 m. -kzzk = 20 ^ ^^ ^^® ^^ Mustela). Sectorialtooth of lower jaw (anterior true 

 M.) wilhout an internal cusp (usually evident in J/ws-^eZa). Auteorbital fora- 

 men presenting obliquely upward as well as forward, canal-like, and open- 

 ing over interspace between last and penultimate premolars. Skull little 

 constricted at the middle ; rostral portion relatively shorter, stouter, and 

 more obliquely truncated anteriorly than in ilusteJa. General upper outline 

 of the skull in profile more arched. Mastoids and auditory tubes more pro- 

 duced, the whole periotic region decidedly more prominent. Zygomatic 

 arch very high behind, at first ascending vertically, then giving off a pos- 

 terior convexity. Depth of emargination of palate about equal to distance 

 thence to the molars. Skull, as a whole, massive, finally developing strong 

 ridges. 



Vertelral formula : c.7 ; d. 15; /. 5 ; s. 3 ; cd. 15 or 16. {Gcrrard.) 

 Size much above the average for this family, and nearly at a maximum 

 (Galictis alone, of this subfamily, is said to be larger). Form very stout, 

 and general appearance rather Bear-like than Weasel-like ; organization ro- 

 bust. Legs short and stout. Tail short (about as long as the head), bushy, 

 with drooping hairs. Pelage shaggy. Ears low. Soles densely hairy, with 

 six small naked pads. Claws strong, acute, much curved. Coloration pe- 

 culiar.* Anal glands moderately developed. Progression incompletely plan- 

 grade. Habits chiefly terrestrial. 



Notwithstanding the remarkably peculiar outward aspect of 

 Gnjo in comparison with its allies, it is very closely related to 

 ffie Martens in structure, forbidding more than generic distinc- 

 tion from Mwstela. The denTal formula is the same. In addi- 

 tion to the cranial characters above given, it may be stated 

 that the skull is relatively as well as absolutely more massive 

 than that of the arboreal Martens, in coordination with the much 

 more robust and sturdy organization of the Wolverene. 



Detailed descriptions of the skull and teeth, as well as of 

 the external characters of the genus, are given beyond under 

 the head of the single known species, G. luscus. 



The generic name is the Latin gulo^ a glfftton, in allusion to 

 the voracity of the animal. The obvious relation of the word 

 is with the Latin gula^ throat or gullet, also used figuratively 

 for appetite or gluttony ; and in various languages the vernac- 

 ular name of the species is a word of similar signification. 

 '•'' Gulo " was the original specific name in the binomial nomen- 

 clature ; but its application to the present animal was origi- 

 nally simply by translation into Latin of the Scandinavian 

 and Russian vernacular (cf. antea^ p. 22). 



* In the pattern of coloration, however, we discern the trace of the same 

 character that is fully developed in Mepli'dis mepkitiea — the light bands, con- 

 verging over the rump, being similaFHo" the stronger white stripes which 

 mark the Skunk. 



3 M 



