THE TAYRA AND GRISON 



637 



tooth on each side is characterized by its narrowness from front to back, and its 

 moderate dimensions. With the exception of the wolverene, all the members of the 

 group are distinguished by their long and weasel-like bodies and short legs, while 

 all are terrestrial and arboreal in their habits. Exclusive of the members of the 

 present genus and one South-African species, the group is mainly confined to the 

 northern parts of Europe, Asia, and North America, only a single representative oc- 

 curring in Peninsular India, Burma, and the Malayan region, and one in South 

 America. 



The tayra and grison are characterized by having a total of 34 teeth, of which 

 f are incisors, | canines, f premolars, and ^ molars. Their skulls may be readily 

 distinguished from those of the martens and weasels by the tubercle on the inner 



THE TAYRA. 

 (One-sixth natural size.) 



side of the upper flesh-tooth being placed near the middle of the tooth, instead of 

 close up to its front edge. They walk to a great extent on the soles of their feet, 

 which are completely naked, so that their feet are almost, but not quite, plantigrade. 

 The claws cannot be retracted. The head is characterized by its breadth and flat- 

 ness, and is furnished with very small and rounded ears. The tail varies in length 

 from about one-half to three-fourths the length of the head and body. 



The tayra (Galidis barbara) is the largest species, and may be com- 

 pared in size to the common otter, its total length being a little over a 

 yard, of which rather less than half is occupied by the tail. The body and limbs are 

 usually of a uniform dark brown color, becoming almost black in some individuals, 

 while in others it is lighter. There is always a lighter spot on the chest. The head 

 and neck are generally gray, but in two immature individuals in the British Museum 



Tayra 



