340 



Mr. R. I. Pocock on some of the External 



reproducing two sketches, made many years ago, of tlie 

 anal disk as it appears from behind, wlien the tail is raised, 

 and when dissected from the inside. From tlie first sketcli it 

 may be seen that when the disk is sliglitly spread, the orifice 

 of the pouch is somewiiat Y-shaped, the upright l)ranch ex- 

 tending downwards towards the anus and the transverse 

 branches obliquely upwards with their ends curving slightly 

 downwards over tlie orifices of the anal glands. The disk 

 is carried on a very distinct anal prominence, jutting back- 

 wards beneath the tail. A corresponding prominence is 

 well marked in newly-born cubs of the Striped Hytena, but 

 is hardly so noticeable in the adult. 



Fi-. 4. 



v^^-^-^' 



A. Anal poueli of male Proteles lalanilii, partially disteiuled. p.^ tlie 



pouch with Y-sliaped crease, sbowiug its deepest part ; o., orifice 



of riji'lit anal oland ; n., anus ; sc, scrotum. 

 15. Median vertical section tlirougli the anal prominence, t., tail raised; 



J)., anal pouch : o., orifice of left anal f^land ; gl., left anal gland ; 



m., muscle ; v., rectum : a., anus. 



The odour of the secretion of the anal glands in Proteles 

 is much stronger and more repulsive than in the hysenas. 

 According to a note I made at the time of dissection, the 

 secretion has a " waxy consistency and smells like strong 

 cheese blended with the scent of skunk or pole-cat.^^ 



The repulsiveness of the odour, to which several observers 

 have testified, is interesting in connection with the com- 

 parative uselessness of the teeth of Proteles for defensive 

 purposes ; and, considered in connection with the record 



