ARCTONYX COLLARIS. 77 



There are three representatives of this group in India. 

 Gen. ARCTONYX, F. Cuvier. 



Char. Incisors - : molars or . Dentition in general like 



6' 44 55 



that of Gulo or Meles. Incisors of moderate size, bluntish, in a regular 

 curve, vertical in the upper jaw, inclined outwards in the lower one. 

 Canines large and strong, and stout at the base ; molars compressed ; 

 feet plantigrade, pentadactylous, claws strong, compressed, fossorial ; 

 claw of the index finger greatly exceeding the others in size. Tail 

 short, attenuated, with rough hairs. Habit that of the Badger, but 

 still more robust. Snout somewhat lengthened. 



93. Arctonyx collaris. 



CUVIER, Mamm. III. t. 60. BLYTH, Cat. 212. Mydaus, apud GRAY. 

 HARDWICKE, 111. Ind. Zool. I. pi. VI. A. isonyx, HODGSON, P. Z. S. 

 1856, pi. 4. Blialu-soor, H., i.e. Bear-pig. 



THE HOG-BADGER. 



Descr. Upper parts with the head, throat, and breast yellowish- white, 

 more or less grizzled ; nape of neck, a narrow band across the breast, 

 anterior portion of abdomen, and the extremities, deep blackish-brown ; 

 there is likewise a brown band from the middle of the upper lip, gradually 

 widening posteriorly and including the eyes and ears ; and another smaller 

 and narrower band arising from the lower lip, passing through the cheek 

 and uniting with the former on the neck. 



Length from snout to root of tail 25 inches j tail 7 ; height at the 

 rump, 1 foot. 



This very curious hog-badger has been found within our province in 

 the Nepal and Sikim Terais, and also I believe in parts of Eastern Bengal. 

 Its chief localities, however, would appear to be still further east in 

 Assam, Sylhet, Arrakan, &c. Hodgson considered the one to be found 

 in the Terai to differ j but this opinion has not been upheld. 



It is stated to pass the greater part of the day in profound sleep, but to 

 become active at the approach of night ; its gait is heavy and slow, and 

 it readily supports itself erect on the hind feet, having much general re- 

 semblance to bears. One kept in captivity preferred fruit, plantains, &c., 



