522 Mr. O. Tliomas on a 



LXIII. — On a neio African Genus oi Mustelidae. 

 By Oldfield Thomas. 



In September 1889 Mr. F. J. Jackson, when collectiu!]^ at 

 Mianzini, Masai, a locality at wliicli lie found several other 

 new mammals, trapped a small badger-like animal and 

 recognized it at once as being a new form. Up to the present 

 time, however, from various causes, the specimen has been 

 mislaid, and even now only the skin can be found, although 

 thorough search has been made for the skull. 



But even without the skull the skin shows such remark- 

 able characteristics that I am unable to refer it to any known 

 genus, and must therefore create a new one for its reception. 

 This may be called 



Galeriscus, gen. nov. 



General build about that of the Grison [Galictis [or Galera] 

 Allamandi). Ears short, closely hairy. Fur thick, though 

 short. Tail medium. ClaAVS intermediate in size and form 

 between those of the Meline and Musteline sections of the 

 family. Toes four on each foot only^ the two median 

 distinctly longer tlian the subequal lateral ones ; palm and 

 sole-pads naked. General coloration Grison-like. 



Galeriscus Jackson i, sp. n. 



Size and proportions very similar to those of the Larger 

 Grison, as also is the general colour, with the ])rominent 

 exception that the black on the muzzle and throat is entirely 

 absent. Fur thick, close and soft, but only from one half to 

 three quarters of an inch in general length ; throughout it is 

 composed of a close underfur, among which are mixed nume- 

 rous straight hairs. Nose-pad naked, sharply defined behind 

 from the hairs, which run forwards to form a median angle ; 

 below there is a naked median groove running down to the 

 up])er lip. 



Face jiale brownish white, the eyes with a few browner 

 liairs surrounding them. On the crown the longer hairs 

 gradually become ringed subterminally with black, resulting 

 in a rich black-and-white grizzling, which extends backwards 

 over the whole dorsal surface to the base of the tail. Hairs 

 of cars outside grizzled grey like the crown, those inside 

 yellowish white. Chin ])ale whitish brown like the face ; 

 cheeks, throat, and sides ot neck deep yellow ; centre of belly 

 blackish. Limbs from shoulders and hips downwards deep 



