EXTERNAL CHARACTERS OF MEPHITIS MEPHITICA. 197 



of the free edge is nearly orbicular, with, however, a slight 

 obtuse angulation. The feet are not so broad and flat as in 

 Conepatus, yet they show large plantar and palmar surfaces. 

 These are usually naked, except for a varying distance behind ; 

 the soles, in particular, being generally hairy for about a third 

 way from the heel. The palms present behind, just in advance 

 of the wrist, a padded prominence, more or less completely 

 divided lengthwise ; in advance of this is a crosswise depres- 

 sion ; at the bases of the digits is a crescentic padded area, 

 divided more or less evidently in different specimens into three 

 or four smaller pads. This divisiouis sometimes very evident, 

 the lines of impression being deep and sharp ; in other cases, 

 little more than a general horseshoe-shaped padded area is 

 recognizable. There is no constancy about this ; and the differ- 

 ence which has been claimed between Mephitis and Spilogale 

 cannot be satisfactorily substantiated. The digits are short — 

 in fact, they are exceeded iu length by the longer ones of the 

 claws they bear. Of these, the third and fourth are subequal 

 and longest, the secoud is little shorter, the fifth reaches hardly 

 half-way along the fourth, and the first scarcely attains the 

 base of the second. The middle three claws are very long, 

 strong, compressed, little curved, acute and fossorial in char- 

 acter; the lateral ones are shorter, stouter for their length, and 

 more curved. The claws of the hind feet are quite different, 

 being all short, stout, and obtuse, and covered with hairs ; the 

 middle three are approximatetly equal in length, the fifth is 

 much shorter, and the first falls short of the base of the second. 

 The naked part of the sole presents a general broad flat area 

 behind, succeeded by an irregular depression, and this by the 

 padding at the bases of the toes, which is imperfectly divided 

 into three. The terminal balls of the toes almost immediately 

 succeed, these digits being very short and extensively connected 

 together. 



The tail of the Skunk is remarkably bushy, with long harsh 

 coarse hairs, almost like a kind of tow. The hairs are loose 

 and flaccid, their ''set" depending in a great measure upon the 

 movements or position of the member. In the bushiest-tailed 

 examples, the hairs fall loosely all around when the tail is ele- 

 vated, like the plumes of a pompon, as well represented in Audu- 

 bon's plate of his so-called ^hnacriira^'' {nee Liclit.). In other 

 cases, the set of the hairs is more stable. No distichous arrange- 

 ment is recognizable. There is no fine under fur on the tail. 



