88 ‘ BULLETIN NO, VII. 
nearly related with the badgers. This does not appear con- 
spicuously upon a comparison of the only American species of 
that group with Mephitis, but is clear upon examination of cer- 
tain intermediate genera of the old world. Suchan exampie is 
afforded by the Teiagon (Mydaus telagon) of Java, etc. This 
animal, although of a brown color, has the peculiar white 
marking upon the back characteristic of the skunks. The tail 
is, however, even shorter than in the badger’s, and is white 
tipped. The resemblance to the skunks is farther enhanced 
by the fact that they discharge at pleasure a stream of the of- 
fensive fiuid secreted by the anal glands. This fluid, to judge 
from the accounts of observers, must be about as subtile and 
powerfully pungent as that of the well known native animal. 
Curiously enough the next nearest relatives of the skunk are 
found in Africa and India, in the honey badgers (Ratelus). 
Two species are known, one of which is native to south and 
central Africa (R. capensis), the other occurs in Hast India. 
(The occurrence of members of the same genus in so far dis- 
tant and isolated stations, may be incidentally noticed as con- 
firmatory evidence of the previous more intimate connection of 
the two continents, and the consequent submergence of large 
land areas in what is now the Indian ocean.) In Ratelus the 
outward appearance (figure 7, No. 7) is badger-like even to the 
mantle like covering of long hair on the back. The tail is per- 
haps more bushy than in the badger, while the powerful odor 
constitutes a remarkable reminder of the skunks proper. The 
habits of the entire group, including all the above mentioned 
types, seem to be in close conformity, save in so far as the pos- 
session of the effective defensive weapon in certain of the ge- 
nera renders the animals careless and even adventurous while 
the others are among the most reclusive of Carnivora. Of the 
anatomy of the exotic species above mentioned, little is known 
to substantiate the suggestions made upon the basis of exter- 
nal resemblances and physiological similarities. The dentition 
of 1, the Zorilline, also African, is said to be closely allied 
to Mephitis. Mydaus, however, accords with that of the true 
skunks, while the honey badgers have but 32 teeth, a reduc- 
tion of one molar above. 
Of the two genera of the Mephitine proper Conepatus, as 
represented by a single very variable species widely distrib- 
uted in South America, (if indeed several species are not con- 
founded under one name) bears the greatest resemblance to the 
badgers. Dr. Coues says (N. A. Mustelide p. 188): ‘The 
