MELIDiE. 



499 



fangs. The second upper premolar (ib. p 3) has a larger, but 

 simple, sub-compressed, conical crown, and is implanted by two 

 fangs : the third (ib. p 4) repeats the form of the second on a 

 larger scale, with a better developed posterior talon, and with the 

 addition of a tri-tuberculate low flat lobe, which is supported by 

 a third fang: the outer pointed and more produced part of this 

 tooth represents the blade of the sectorial and the entire crown 

 of the antecedent premolars. The true molar in Meles (PI. 129, 

 fig. 1 & 3 7^ 1.) is of enormous size compared with that of any of the 

 preceding Carnivora : it has three external tubercles, and an exten- 

 sive horizontal surface traversed longitudinally by a low ridge and 

 bounded by an internal belt, the cingulum of lUiger : this tooth has 

 a similarly shaped, but relatively smaller crown in Arctonyx (PL 128, 

 fig. 13, m 1). The second premolar below (ib. p 2) is commonly the 

 first, through the early loss of the minute one in front : its fangs are 

 usually connate, as in its analogue above. The third and fourth 

 premolars slightly increase in size, have simple compressed conical 

 crowns and two fangs each. The first true molar below (PI. 128, 

 fig. 13, m 1, PI. 129, fig. 6, m I) now retains little of its sectorial 

 character, the blade being represented only by the two an- 

 terior small, compressed pointed lobes ; behind these the crown 

 expands into an oval grinding surface, narrower in Arctonyx than 

 in Meles, supporting three tubercles and a posterior tuberculate 

 ridge : it has generally two principal roots and a small interme- 

 diate accessory fang as in the Otter. The second molar (ib. m 2) 

 which terminates the series below, is of small size and has a rounded 

 flat crown, depressed in the centre and with two small external 

 tubercles : its two short fangs are connate. In the Labrador Badger 

 {Taxidea){\) the last premolar has a larger relative size, the part 



(1) Trans. Zool. Society, vol. ii, p. 343, pi. 59. The genus Meles intervenes between Lutra 

 and Canis in the description of the teeth of MammaUa by M. F. Cuvier. Mr. Waterhouse 

 (Proceedings of Zool. Soc. 1837.) and Prof. Wiegmann (Archiv fur Naturgeschichte, 1838, 

 p. 257.) have recognised the closer affinity of the Badgers to the Mustelides than to the Ursidce. 

 The value of the generic distinction of the European and Indian Badgers is very doubtful ; 

 that proposed by Mr. Waterhouse for the North American species is better supported by 

 the dental and cranial modifications ; but unnecessary multiplication of names is much to be 

 deprecated. 



K K 2 



