A432 THE PIG-LIKE BADGER CHAP. 
whole surface of the world, with the exception of Austraha and 
Madagascar. The molar teeth are generally reduced to one in the 
upper jaw, and sometimes to one in the lower jaw, which thus 
gives “a sort of prima facie resemblance to the feline dentition.” 
There is no alisphenoid canal; postglenoid and condyloid fora- 
mina are found. 
Sub-Fam. 1. Melinae.—Of this sub-family there are repre- 
sentatives both in the Old and New Worlds. 
Meles, the Badger, is exclusively Palaearctic in range." DE 
Mivart says that JJeles has a relatively longer dorsal region than 
any other Carnivore, and that it is most nearly approached by 
Fic. 218.—Badger. Meles taxus. x}. 
its allies Icetonyx and Conepatus. The molar formula is, as in 
Arctonyx, Mydaus, and Helictis, Pm¢ M4. The molars differ 
from those of any other Carnivore in the much greater size of 
the first molars than of the last premolars. The nose is not 
grooved ; the soles of the feet are naked. The claws of the fore- 
feet are much longer than those of the hind-feet. 
The genus Arctonyx is a “pig-like badger” from Hindostan, 
Assam, and North China. The epithet “ pig-like ” is derived from 
the long and mobile snout, which is truncated and has terminal 
nostrils. It is remarkable for having a part of the palate formed 
by the pterygoids, as in Whales and certain Edentata (e.g. Wyrme- 
cophaga). There are sixteen dorsal vertebrae. A. collaris lives in 
1 Asa small point of likeness between this Mustelid and the Procyonidae may 
be mentioned the colours of the face. IM. anakuma is particularly Raccoon-like. 
