NORTH AMERICAN BADGER, MELES LABRADORIA. 345 
being situated opposite the interstice between the penultimate and last molars. The 
palatal bones terminate about half an inch behind the posterior molars. A more clear 
idea of the form of the lower jaw may be conveyed by comparing it with that of the 
Common Badger, than by describing it ; I will therefore do so. Thus compared, the 
most striking differences consist in the form of the coronoid process, the anterior mar- 
gin of which is less oblique than in that animal ; its apex is somewhat pointed, whereas 
in the Common Badger it is rounded ; the posterior margin is formed of two lines, an 
upper one running backwards and downwards, from the ape of the coronoid process ; 
and a lower one, which is perpendicular, and forms an obtuse angle with the first. In 
this form of the coronoid process the American Badger more nearly resembles the Otter 
(Lutra vulgaris) than the Common Badger, where the posterior boundary of the coronoid 
process forms a vertical line. The condyle of the jaw has proportionately a much 
greater diameter than that of the Common Badger. The descending ramus is deeper, 
and does not form so acute an angle; the horizontal ramus, if measured beneath the 
carnassiére, is less deep, but behind the carnassiére the alveolar portion rises rapidly 
towards the coronoid process: the symphysis menti is less oblique, and there is a cor- 
responding difference in the direction of the incisors. The lower boundary of the ho- 
rizontal ramus forms a straight line beneath the dental portion of the jaw, but the part 
which lies behind the line of the last molar is raised, forming an obtuse angle with the 
fore part. 
Dentition.—In the number of the teeth the present animal agrees with the Common 
Badger, excepting that the molar corresponding to the small first false molar of the lower 
jaw of that animal is here wanting. In the relative size and form of the teeth there is 
much difference. The incisors of the upper jaw are arranged in an arch, but form to- 
gether a segment of a larger circle than those of Meles vulgaris ; they are proportionately 
smaller and shorter. In the canines there is but little difference: the posterior cutting 
edge observed in the Badger is here almost obliterated. The false molars likewise 
scarcely differ. In the carnassiére and true molar, however, there is much difference, 
the former being of great size and equal to the last molar. It is nearly in the form of 
a right-angled triangle ; the cutting edge is much raised, and there is a large tubercle on 
the inner lobe of this tooth, which has no analogue in the Badger. The true molar is 
also nearly triangular ; the tubercles with which it is furnished are but slightly raised, 
and are much less developed than in the corresponding grinding molar of the Badger. 
The principal differences observable in the teeth of the lower jaw, consist in the smaller 
size of the incisors, the larger size of the last false molar, and its being furnished with 
two distinct tubercles at its apex; that of the Common Badger being simply pointed : 
it differs moreover in the smaller size of the carnassiére, which is not distinctly dilated 
posteriorly, as in the Badger, and the cutting edge being higher; the true molar is a 
trifle smaller. The carnassiére of the lower jaw may be divided into two portions, that 
which is opposed to the corresponding tooth in the upper jaw, and which is the cut- 
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