THE MUNGOS. 239 



GENUS CROSSARCHUS. 



The animals of this genus have the teeth, the muzzle, the pouch, the 

 gait of the Zenicks, but the toes and other organs of the Mangouste. 

 Only one species is known. 



The Mangue, Crossarchus obscurus, is a native of Sierra Leone. The 

 body is compact, the head round with a pointed muzzle, the tail of me- 

 dium length, the legs moderately long, all the feet have five toes, the ears 

 are small, the eye has a round pupil with a third undeveloped lid, the 

 tongue is long. The color of the animal is a ruddy-brown, which in cer- 

 tain lights presents a yellowish tmge, owing to the alternate rings of 

 white and brown with which each hair is marked. 



GENUS MUNGOS. 



This African Genus contains three species, of which we need mention 

 only the most typical. 



The Banded Muxgos, Mungos fasciatus, is a small animal not much 

 larger than a water-rat. The color is a blackish-grizzle with a chestnut 

 tinge on the hind-quarters and a row of darker lines across the back. 

 It is very lively in its movements, and utters continuously a curious 

 sound like a frog's croak; when excited it spits like a cat and bites 

 furiously at its companions. The fore-paws are armed with long claws, 

 and it is an admirable climber. 



