HEBPESTES. MAMMALIA. 99 



anal pouch large ; feet pentadactyle, semipalmated, with nails 

 partly retractile. 



H. Mungos, Desm. (Fiv. Mongoz, Lin.) Indian Ichneumon. Fur 

 marked on the back with 12 or 13 brown transverse bands, separated 

 by as many reddish bands ; tail pointed. India. Buff. xiii. pi. 19. 



H. Edwardsii, Desm. Back and tail olive, annulated with brown ; 



muzzle reddish brown ; tail pointed. Inhabits India. Edwards' 



Birds, t. 199. 



H. griseus, Desm. (Fiv. Cafra, Lin.) Fur brownish gray and uni- 

 I ' formly speckled with reddish brown from the annulations of the 



hair ; tail pointed. Southern Africa. Buff. Sup. iii. pi. 27- 

 H. galera, Desm. (Mustela galera, Lin.) Guinea Weasel, Penn. 



Fur deepish brown, speckled with yellow ; fur of the tail of equal 



thickness its whole length. Madagascar. Pen n. Quad. ii. 53. 



II. Javanicus, Geoff. Fur chestnut brown, spotted with yellow 

 white ; head and legs chestnut. Java. Desm. Mam. 212. 



H. ruber, Geoff. Fur very bright ferruginous red, especially on 



the head Geoff. Hist. Nat. ii. 139. 



H. major, Desm. (Ichneumon major, Geoff.) Large Ichneumon. 

 Fur chestnut brown ; hair annulated with yellow ; tail brown, 

 pointed. Buff. Supp. iii. pi. 26. 



H. Pharaonis, Desm. ( Viv. ichneumon, Lin.) The Ichneumon. 

 Fur of chestnut and fawn colour, each hair being annulated al- 

 ternately with these tints ; feet and muzzle black ; tail long, 

 tufted. Inhabits Egypt Shaw, i. pi. 92. 



The Ichneumon was well known to the ancients, and was venerated in Egypt for 

 its destruction of the reptile species, and particularly of the eggs of the crocodile. In 

 Egypt it is often seen at the close of the day gliding through the ridges or inequali- 

 ties of the ground in search of its prey. It never limits itself to the momentary 

 gratification of its appetite, but destroys every living thing within its reach, which is 

 too feeble to offer effectual resistance. In domestication it acquires an attachment 

 to the houses into which it is introduced, never wanders, recognizes the voice of its 

 master, and is pleased with the caresses bestowed on it. 



Gen. 76. Sun ic AT A, Desm. Viverra, Lin. 



Incisors |, canines ^-j, molars g-g = 40. Body elongated ; 

 feet tetradactyle, with strong nails for digging ; ears small ; 

 pouch around the anus ; tail long and slender. 



S. Capensis, Desm. ( Viv. tctradactyla, Lin.) Hairs annulated with 

 brown, white, yellowish, and black. About a foot long. Cape of 

 Good Hope Shaw. i. pi. 93. 



3d Division. Without a tuberculous tooth behind the great 

 carnivorous tooth in the lower jaw. 



Gen. 77. HYAENA, Cuv. Briss. Geoff. Canis, Lin. Erxleb. 



Incisors , canines -i, molars f-f = 34. Feet tetradactyle ; 

 nails not retractile ; legs long ; eyes projecting ; ears large ; 

 a glandular pouch at the anus. 



