88 BULLETIN NO. VII. 



nearly related with the badgers. This does not appear con- 

 spicuously upon a comparison of the only American species of 

 that group with Mephitis, but is clear upon examination of cer- 

 tain intermediate genera of the old world. Such an example is 

 afforded by the Telagon (Mydaus telagori) of Java, etc. This 

 animal, although of a brown color, has the peculiar white 

 marking upon the back characteristic of the skunks. The tail 

 is, however, even shorter than in the badger's, and is white 

 tipped. The resemblance to the skunks is farther enhanced 

 by the fact that they discharge at pleasure a stream of the of- 

 fensive fluid secreted by the anal glands. This fluid, to judge 

 from the accounts of observers, must be about as subtile and 

 powerfully pungent as that of the well known native animal. 

 Curiously enough the next nearest relatives of the skunk are 

 found in Africa and India, in the honey badgers (Eatelus). 

 Two species are known, one of which is native to south and 

 central Africa (E. capensis), the other occurs in East India. 

 (The occurrence of members of the same genus in so far dis- 

 tant and isolated stations, may be incidentally noticed as con- 

 firmatory evidence of the previous more intimate connection of 

 the two continents, and the consequent submergence of large 

 land areas in what is now the Indian ocean.) In Eatelus the 

 outward appearance (figure 7, No. 7) is badger-like even to the 

 mantle like covering of long hair on the back. The tail is per- 

 haps more bushy than in the badger, while the powerful odor 

 constitutes a remarkable reminder of the skunks proper. The 

 habits of the entire group, including all the above mentioned 

 types, seem to be in close conformity, save in so far as the pos- 

 session of the effective defensive weapon in certain of the ge- 

 nera renders the animals careless and even adventurous while 

 the others are among the most reclusive of Carnivora. Of the 

 anatomy of the exotic species above mentioned, little is known 

 to substantiate the suggestions made upon the basis of exter- 

 nal resemblances and physiological similarities. The dentition 

 of 1, the Zorillinae, also African, is said to be closely allied 

 to Mephitis. Mydaus, however, accords with that of the true 

 skunks, while the honey badgers have but 32 teeth, a reduc- 

 tion of one molar above. 



Of the two genera of the Mephitinas proper Conepatus, as 

 represented by a single very variable species widely distrib- 

 uted in South America, (if indeed several species are not con- 

 founded under one name) bears the greatest resemblance to the 

 badgers. Dr. Coues says (N. A. Mustelidae p. 188): "The 



