Feb., 191 2. Mammals of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory. 345 



Mephitis hudsonica 



Meptiitis mephitis 



M. m. putida 



M. m. avia 



M. m. mesomeJas 



'• ' ♦ 



Area of intergradation 



Map showing supposed distribution of Skunks belonging to the genus Mephitis in Illinois and 

 Wisconsin and adjoining states. 



Mephitis hudsonica (Richardson). Type locality — Plains of the Saskatchewan, 

 Canada. Size large ; total length from 26 to 29 inches ; tail with blunt black brush 

 at tip, without white pencil; no median spine on palate; description as previously 

 given. 



Mephitis mephitis (Schreber). (Saugthiere, III, 1776, p. 444, tab. CXXI.) Type 

 locality- — ^" America." (The name is now restricted to the northern form of the 

 Eastern Skunk.) Palate without median spine; zygomata heavy and not greatly 

 expanded; tail rather short, mixed black and white, the end white. 



Mephitis m. avia (Bangs). Type locality — San Jose, Illinois. Description as 

 previously given. Resembles mesomelas, but larger; tail more than half the 

 length of body and usually wholly black. 



Mephitis m. putida (Boitard). (Jard. Plantes Paris, Mamm., 1842, p. 147.) Type 

 locality — New Jersey. Palate with distinct median spine; end of tail with 

 white pencil; tail vertebras less than 11 inches. 



Mephitis m. mesomelas (Lichtenstein). (Darst. Saugeth., 1832, text, pi. 45, fig. 2.) 

 Type locality — Louisiana. Palate without median spine; size small; tail 

 usually wholly black; length about 23 inches; tail vertebrae about 9 inches. 



Mephitis m. elongata Bangs. (Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., XXVI, 1895, p. 531.) 

 Type locality — Micco, Brevard Co., Florida. Size medium; tail long, usual 

 over 11.50 inches, with white pencil; palate with spine; frontal region arched; 

 rostrum broad. 



