278 Lloyd's natural history. 



present and two following genera are allied to the Herpestince> 

 the fourth is so markedly distinct as to constitute a Sub-family 

 by itself. Whether the first three genera should be regarded 

 as constituting another Sub-family (the Galidictince\ or should 

 be included in the Herpestina, may be open to doubt ; Pro 

 fessor Mivart taking the former view, while several othei 

 zoologists are inclined to adopt the latter. 



In the present genus there are only three pairs of pre-molar 

 teeth in each jaw, of which the first is placed close to the 

 canine. The canines themselves are characterised by their 

 very large relative size, this feature being especially marked in 

 those of the lower jaw, where they are long, strong, and curved, 

 with a basal projection on the hinder side. The feet are fur- 

 nished with five toes, of which the long claws are more curved 

 than in the typical Herpestincc ; while the tarsus is more or less 

 completely naked. The muzzle has a median groove inferiorly ; 

 and the hairs of the tail are long. From the whole of the 

 other members of the Family the members of this genus may 

 be distinguished by the light and dark longitudinal stripes on 

 the fur of the upper-parts. 



Together with the next two genera, Galidictis differs from 

 the typical Herpestinai by the absence of an alisphenoid canal 

 in the skull \ while the three are distinguished from all other 

 Viverridcz in wanting a foramen on the outer side of the lower 

 end of the humerus. 



I. THE BROAD-STRIPED MUNGOOSE. GALIDICTIS STRIATA. 



Putorius striatus, Cuvier, Regne Anim. ed. 2, vol. i.p. 144(1835). 

 Galidictis striata, Geoffroy, Comptes Rendus, vol. v. p. 578 



(1837); Mivart, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1882, p. 186. 

 Mustcla striata, Geoffroy, Cat. Mus. Paris, p. 98 (185 1). 



Characters — Size small ; length of tail rather less than that of 

 head and body ; muzzle somewhat blunted. General colour 

 whitish-brown, with seven or nine broad longitudinal blackish 



