340 



]\li'. W. I. Pocock on soine of the JL.vfenuiI 



reproducing two sketches, made many years ago, of tlie 

 anal disk as it appears from bcliind, when the tail is raised, 

 and when dissected from tlie inside. From the hist sketeli it 

 may be seen that when the disk is slightly spread, theoriticc 

 of the pouch is somcwiiat Y-sha[)ed, the U|)right branch ex- 

 tending downwards towards the anus and the transverse 

 l)i'anches obliquely upwards with tlieir ends curving slightly 

 downwards over the orifices of the anal glaud«. The disk 

 is carried on a very distinct anal prominence, jutting bacl<- 

 Mards beneath the tail. A corresponding ])roniinence is 

 "well marked in newly-born cubs of the Striped llytena, but 

 is hardly so noticeable in the adult. 



Fi-. 4. 



A. Aual pouch of male Proteles lalcoi'lii, partially distended, p., the 



povicli with Y-shaped crease, showing its deepest part ; o., orifice 

 of rijrlit anal gland ; n., anus ; so., scrotum. 



B. Median vertical section tln-ough the anal promiueuce. /., tail raised; 



J)., aual pouch : o., orifice of left anal gland ; yl., lel't anal gland ; 

 in., muscle ; ;•., rectum : a., anus. 



The odour of tlie secretion of the anal glands in ProteJea 

 is much stronger and more repulsive than in the hyienas. 

 According to a note I made at the time of dissection, the 

 secretion has a " waxy consistency and smells like strong 

 cheese blended with the scent of skunk or pole-cat.^' 



The rcpulsiveness of the odotir, to which several observers 

 liave testified, is interesting in connection with the com- 

 parative uselessness of the teeth of Proteles for defensive 

 purposes ; and, considered iu connection with the record 



