356 On the Genera Galidia, Galidictis, cfcc. 



It would be rash to claim that the pattern in either of 

 these genera is the primitive carnivore pattern; but, since 

 there is a good deal of convergent evidence that the primitive 

 pattern of this order consisted of longitudinal lines, it is 

 interesting to find this type present in Mascarene genera, 

 intermediate in some respects between such widely divergent 

 groups as the genets and mongooses. Analysis of the 

 pattern of the genets, as a whole, shows that on the body it 

 is resolvable into five longitudinal bands of spots on each 

 side and a median uninterrupted stripe down the back. Over 

 the shoulders and the nape of the neck the continuity of these 

 stripes is generally interrupted to a greater or less extent, 

 and their course is not always easy to follow ; but the 

 extension of the three dorsal stripes on each side over the 

 shoulders and up to the occiput in Mungotictis vittatus (see 

 Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) xvi. pi. vii. fig. 3), suggests 

 that the pattern on the neck of genets is derived from the 

 breaking up of at least six stripes with the addition of the 

 median stripe. Although in some examples of Galidictinoe 

 the median spinal stripe does not exist, nevertheless, it can 

 be detected as a narrow band on the fore part of the neck of 

 Galidictis eximius and on part of the dorso-lumbar area in 

 Mungotictis vittatus. 



The resemblance in pattern between Galidictis and Mungo- 

 tictis, on the one hand, and the Genets, on the other, strengthens 

 the claim of relationship between the Galidictinse and the 

 Viverrinaj based upon the structure and relations of the 

 perfume-gland. 



EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 



Plate XIV. 



Fig. 1. Right hind foot of Galidia elegans, drawn from dried skins. 



Fig. 2. Right fore foot of the same. 



Fig. 3. Anal and genital area of Galidia elegans (after Carlsson). 



a., anus; gL, glandular pouch, with labia distended ; v., vulva. 

 Fig. 4. Anal and genital area of Galidictis eximius; lettering as in 



fig. 3, the labia of gland in contact. 



Plate XV. 



Fig. 1. Left hind foot of Mungotictis substriatus, drawn from dried skin. 



Fig. 2. Left fore foot of the same. 



Fig. 3. Left hind foot of Galidictis eximius. 



Fig. 4. Right ear of Galidictis eximius (from dried skin), b., bursa ; 



s., supratragus ; pe., postero-external or antitragal ridge; 



ae., antero-external or tragal ridge ; ai., antero-internal ridge. 



