356 On the Genera GallJia, GuliJictis, dec. 



It would be rasli to claim that the j)attern in either of 

 these i;t.'iiera is tiie j)rimitive caniivoic pattern ; but, since 

 there is a good deal ot convergent evidence that the primitive 

 pattern ot" this order consisted of longitudinal lines, it is 

 interesting to find this type present in Mascarene genera, 

 intonnediate in some res})ects between such widely divergent 

 groups as the genets and mongooses. Analysis of the 

 })atfcern of the genets, as a whole, shows that on the body it 

 is resolvable into five longitutlinal bands of spots on each 

 side and a median uninterrupted stripe down the back. Over 

 the shoulders and the nape of the neck the continuity of these 

 stripes is generally interrupted to a greater or less extent, 

 and their course is not always easy to follow ; but the 

 extension of the three dorsal stripes on each side over tiie 

 shoulders and up to the occiput in Mungoticds vittatus (see 

 Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) xvi. pi. vii. fig. 3), suggests 

 tliat the pattern on the neck of genets is derived from the 

 breaking up of at least six stripes with the addition of the 

 median stripe. Although in some examples of Galidictinse 

 the median spinal stripe does not exist, nevertheless, it can 

 be detected as a narrow l)and on the fore part of the neck of 

 Gal'idictis exiinius and on part of the dorso-lumbar area in 

 Mungutictis vittatus. 



The resemblance in pattern between GaHdictis and Mungo- 

 tictis, on the one hand, and the Genets, on the other, strengthens 

 the claim of relationsliip between the Galidictinai and the 

 Viverrinaj based upon the structure and relations of the 

 peilume-gland. 



EXPLAXATION OF THE PLATES. 



Plate XIV. 



Fig. 1. Right hind foot of Galidia elegans, drawn from dried skins. 



Fig. 2. Ilight fore foot of the same. 



Ft'ff. 3. Anal and genital area of Galidia elegans (after Carlsson). 



a., auus; gl., glandular pouch, with labia distended ; v., vulva. 

 Fig. A. Anal and genital area of Galidictis e.iwiius ; lettering as in 



hg. 3, the labia of gland in contact. 



Plate XV. 



Fig. 1. Left hind foot of Mungotictis substriaiu-s, drawn from dried skin. 



Fig. 2. Left fore foot of the same. 



Fig. 3. Left hind foot of Galidictis eximius. 



Fig. i. Right ear of Galidictis e.vimius (from dried skin), b., bursa ; 



s., supratragus ; pe., postero-external or antitragal ridge ; 



ae., antero-external or tragal ridge; at., antero-internal ridge. 



