684 



Genus Mangusta. 

 Dental formula :-i ^, c ^,p^,m ^=40. 



4306. The skeleton of an immature Ichneumon (Mangusta Ichneumon). 



The vertebral formula is : 7 cervical, 13 dorsal, 7 lumbar, 2 sacral, and 27 caudal. The 

 tenth dorsal is that towards which the spines of the other trunk-vertebrae converge. Nine 

 pairs of ribs articulate directly with the sternum, which has eight bones and a xiphoid carti- 

 lage. There are no clavicles. The upper contour of the scapula is slightly sigmoid, very 

 convex anteriorly, and the supraspinal fossa is larger than the infraspinal one. The acromion 

 is bifid.- The humerus is pierced both between the condyles and above the inner condyle. 

 The femur has a fabella behind the outer condyle : the orbital processes of the frontal and 

 malar are well developed, and the ligament which connects them becomes ossified in old 

 individuals. 



Mus. South. 



4307. The skull of a Mongoose Ichneumon (Mangusta Mangos). 



The orbital processes of the frontal and malar bones have met, and circumscribe the 



orbits*. 



Hunterian. 



The following, to No. 43 1 2 inclusive, are parts of the same skeleton of a female Mongoose 

 Ichneumon {Mangusta Mongos) : 



Purchased. 



4308. The skull. 



4309. The vertebral column of the trunk and tail. 



The transverse process of the atlas is perforated both horizontally and vertically by the 

 vertebral artery. The spine of the third cervical is almost obsolete. There are 13 dorsal 

 vertebrae : the metapophyses begin to be developed on the tenth dorsal ; the eleventh is that 

 towards which the spines of the other dorsal vertebrae converge. There are 7 lumbar, 3 sacral, 

 and 29 caudal vertebrae : some of the anterior caudals have haemapophyses. 







4310. Part of the hyoidean arch. 



The right ceratohyal and stylohyal are wanting. 



* This is the skull of the individual painted by Stubbs, with the Agouti and Peccary, in the 

 Hunterian picture, No. 37. 



