12 Mindeskrift for J. Steenstrup. XVII. 



This synopsis of the characters of Æluropus shows us an animal with several 

 Ælarus-\\kQ, and several original characters. But if we not only count them, but 

 also weigh them, we can certainly reach a more decisive result. 



The coloration gives us no hold. It is unique in Æluropus, but it is almost so 

 also in Ælurus, though the brown colour of the latter reminds us of the colour of 

 Nasua, the annulated tail and the stripes on the snout of some of the other Procy- 

 onidæ. — Mammals with the belly darker than the back are rather rare ; among 

 the Carnivora they are found among Canidæ (C anis vulpes var. melanogaster and 

 perhaps other varieties, Nyctereutes procyonoides, Icticyon venaticus), among Mustelidæ 

 (Gulo horealis, the Foetorius-group, Vison, Mellivora, Mephitis, Thiosmus, Meles, Ic- 

 iidonyx, Poecilogale, Galictis harhara), among Procyonidæ only Ælurus. — The capri- 

 cious coloration of Æluropus may perhaps be interpreted as a case of partial 

 albinism, in adaptation to the cold snow-covered mountains where it lives, like the 

 total albinism of Ursus maritimus, Canis lupus var. alhus and other mammals in 

 the ever-white polar regions. 



The skull is very peculiar ; P. Gervais compares it with that of Hyæna. The 

 most characteristic feature, and the starting-point for understanding it, is the im- 

 mensely developed dentition. And the origin of this is to be sought in the food of the 

 animal. But unfortunately its biology is very little known. Milne Edwards says (1874, 

 pag. 336) that it feeds principally on roots, young bamboos and other vegetables, and 

 A. David writes as follows about the same subject (l871 pag. 89): "11 . . . parait 

 avoir un regime végétal; mais pburtant Fon dit qu'il ne refuse point le chair quand 

 s'en présente; et méme je pense que c'est sa nourriture principale en hiver, saison 

 dans laquelle il n'est pas sujet å rester endormi". — That Æluropus does eat meat, 

 seems very likely, judging from the sharp-edged anterior premolars, but it must 

 have been hard and tough vegetables which have developed the peculiar molars, 

 which almost resemble the teeth of some Suidæ. 



As in animals with very strong teeth the muzzle is very short, in order that 

 the teeth may aet with the greatest possible force, but the teeth being all in ac- 

 tivity (except p \) they cannot become shortened and must consequently be very 

 crowded. But nevertheless mg can hardly be cailed rudimentary, not even so much 

 as in Ursus; that means no doubt that this tooth is still of importance to the animal 

 and, therefore, not indifferent in systematic respect. Ælurus has lost it, but as a 

 kind of compensation mg has a large backward elongation. 



To move the immense lower jaw with force very strong muscles are required; 

 they give the brain-case with its strong crests the peculiar and characteristic 

 Hyæna-like form. And they press the zygomatic arches outwards in order to get 

 the necessary space. The articulation of the lower jaw needs sufficient fixedness; 



