THE SMALL-TOOTHED MUNGOOSE. 281i 
garded as indicating a distinct Sub-family, is distinguished 
from the typical Herpestine, as well as from Gadidictis and its 
allies, by the non-eversion of the hinder border of the auditory 
bulla of the skull, and from all the other members of the 
Family by its peculiar dentition. The canine teeth are of very 
small size, and scarcely distinguishable from the first three 
pre-molars, wh.ch are widely separated from one another in 
both jaws ; in addition to which the molars are very similar to 
the pre-molars. So like, indeed, is the whcle dentition to that 
of many of the Insectivora, that the genus was long regarded 
as pertaining to that Order. The head and skull are very 
small in proportion to the body; and the muzzle is long, 
slender, and sharply pointed. The nose and upper lip are 
medianly grooved; the five-toed feet are very slender; and 
the under surface of the tarsus and metatarsus is covered with 
short hair; the claws are long. 
I. THE SMALL-TOOTHED MUNGOOSE. EUPLERES GOUDOTI. 
Lupleres goudotit, Doyere, Ann. Sci. Nat. ser. 2, vol. iv. p. 281 
(1835); Gray, Cat. Carniv. Mamm. Brit. Mus. p. 177 
(1869) ; Mivart, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1882, p. 189. 
Characters.—Size small; taii bushy and rather short; ears 
large; fur woolly. General colour uniform olive-grey, minutely 
speckled with yellow, becoming paler on the under-parts. 
Dark bands across the shoulders in the young. Length of 
head and body, about 12 inches; of tail, 7 inches. 
Distribution. Madagascar. 
Habits——Beyond the bare statement that it burrows in the 
ground, nothing definite seems to have been recorded regard- 
ing the mode of life of this singular and aberrant member of 
the Viverride. From its weak jaws, and peculiarly modified 
teeth, it would, however, seem to be highly probable that its 
nutriment consists chiefly, if not entirely, of insects or worms. 
