Mv. R. T. Pocock on the Genus Poiana. 345 



from tliatof tlie Yiverrincs, the absence of tlie gland and tlie 

 proximity of the vulva to the anus, both being characters in 

 wiiich Lin.mng resembles the Felidte and differs from the 

 Viveriinae. Mivart unfortunately failed to note the position 

 of the prepuce with regard to the scrotum in the male he 

 examined. 1 suspect, however, that resemblance will be 

 found between tlie Felidie and Linsang in this respect also. 



In view of the constancy of the occurrence and the high 

 degree of development of the scent-glands in the Viverrinse, 

 it seems to me to be impossible to maintain that Linsang is 

 nearly related to any genus of that group. Nor does it seem 

 to me to be reasonable to suppose that the ancestors of 

 Linsang possessed the gland. A specialised organ of that 

 kind would not, it may be supposed, abort without some 

 radical change in mode of life, depriving it of its usefulness. 

 But, so far as can be judged from their teeth, feet, pattern, 

 and other external features, the Linsangs do hot differ 

 in habits from Genetta or Viverra *. 



The Genus Poiana. 



On structural grounds, cranial, dental, pedal, etc., the 

 genus Poiai^a, restricted to the tropical forest-region of 

 Africa, is always, and unavoidably from available data, 

 associated with Linsang. I am not aware, however, that 

 there is any direct evidence that Puiana'is. without the scent- 

 glands ; and there are no alcohol-pre.served examples whereon 

 this character may be observed. The inference as to their 

 absence is provisionally justified ; but the uncertainty of its 

 truth must be borne in mind. If Poiana prove to possess 

 this organ, the genus will, according to ray views, take a 

 place in the Viverrinae with Genetta, Viverra^ and the others. 

 J^'or the time being, however, it may be kept with Linsang, 



The feet of Poiana (PI. XII. figs. 1, 2), judging from 

 dried skins, differ from those of L'lnnang in one or two parti- 

 culars which recall the feet of Genetta. In the fore foot the 

 carpal lobe (c.) is very manifestly double. Its external 

 moiety is large, long, and fusiform ; its internal moiety is 

 much smaller, but quite well defined, and is wedged in between 

 the external moiety and the elongated poUical lobe Q^/.) of 

 the plantar pad, wliich anteriorly touches the posterior angle 

 of tlie internal lateral lobe of the plantar pad. In most of 

 the dried skins the area between the plantar and carpal pads 



* 111 mj paper upon Cynogale (Anu. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) xv. p. 359, 

 1915), I have suggested the possibility of the simple structure uf the 

 scent-gland in that genus being attributable to the adoption of an 

 amphibious lite and to the modilications in habits thereby enforced, 



Ann. (k Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 8. Fo/. xvi. 2i 



