Zoological Socielj/. 509 



a small body reproduced upon it. The only difference that I can dis- 

 cover in the structure of the young from the old heads, consists in 

 tlie new ones wanting the small red papilla:, and in the absence of 

 all colour in the animal." 



The skin was exhibited of a species of Cynictis, Og., which had 

 recently been presented to the Society by Captain P. L. Strachan, 

 by whom it was obtained at Sierra Leone. The exhibition was ac- 

 companied by a description of the animal by Mr. Martin, which was 

 read. 



Mr. Martin regards the animal as especially interesting on ac- 

 count of its presenting the second instance of the new form among 

 the Viverridte which was described by Mr. Ogilby at the Meeting 

 of the Society on April 9, 1833, under the generic appellation of 

 Cj/nictis, and of which a detailed description and figure has since 

 been published in tlie Transactions, vol. i. p. 29. It agrees with that 

 genus, which is intermediate between Herpnstes and Ryzcena, in its 

 general form ; in the number of the toes with which its feet are fur- 

 nished ; and in the number and form of its teetlx, as far as they are 

 preserved in the specimen exhibited, which, however, is that of a 

 young individual. The points of the teeth are consequently in it 

 unworn and acute : while in the specimen of Cyn. Steedmanni de- 

 scribed by Mr. Ogilby, which was evidently an aged individual, the 

 teeth wei-e much worn down. The only other differences which 

 exist between the teeth of the new species and those of Cyn. Steed- 

 manni consist in the presence, in the outermost incisor in the upper 

 jaw of the former, of a minute but decided internal tubercle, which 

 is not found in the corresponding tooth of Cyn. Steedmanni ; and in 

 the inner lobe of the carnassier of the upper jaw being acute and 

 conical, instead of blunt : the teeth behind this, in both jaws, are 

 wanting in the specimen of the new species. The feet of the new 

 species differ from those of Cyn. Steedmanni by their comparatively 

 shorter claws ; and by having a naked line extending along the un- 

 der surface of the tarsus from the pad to the heel, the whole of the 

 under surface of the tarsus being covered in Cyn. Steedmanni with 

 hair. 



The new species may be thus characterized : 



Cynictis mel.vnurus. Cyn. saturate rvfus nigra punctulatus, ad 

 latera paUidior ; (juldsordide flavescenti-brunned; artubus interne 

 abdomineque sordide flavescenti-rufis ; caudd apicem versus late 

 nigrd, ad apicem fioccosd. 



Long, corporis cum capite, 12 unc; caudce, pilis inclusis, 11; ca- 

 pitis, 2 unc. 1 lin. 



In addition to the distinctive characters which have been noticed 

 above, it may 1)0 remarked that Cyn. melunurus differs from Cyn. 

 Steedmanni in the greater smoothness, shortness, and glossiness of 

 the fur ; in the less bushy character of the tail ; in the dark tint of 

 the head, back, and limbs; in the dusky colour of the throat; and 

 in the black tip of the tail, the corresponding portion of this organ 

 in Cyn. Steedmanni being white. 



Mr. Ogilby rcnuukcd, that the animal described by Mr. Martin 



