CARNTVORA. 159 



PLATE V. 



Herpestes mungo. 



NOT above 18 inches in length from nose to end of 

 tail ; bright rufous, with twelve or thirteen dark 

 bands ; tail pointed. Baron Cuvier does not notice 

 the transverse bands on the back. This species 

 is renowned for victorious conflicts with the most 

 dangerous serpents, and for causing the discovery 

 of that antidote against their poison, known by 

 the name of Ophioriza Mongos. 



Herp. vitticollis, Ben. Grisly, with red back 

 and tail ; a black spot from the side of ear to the 

 shoulder ; end of tail black ; length 22 inches ; tail 

 12 J inclusive of the hair. From Travancore, East 

 Indies. 



Herp. javanicus. The Java Ichneumon. Is 

 rufous-grey. Total length 20 inches. 



Herp. paludinosus, uniform grey-brown; Herp. 

 penicillatus, rufous-grey ; Herp. melanurus, and 

 Herp. albicaudatus from Africa, and recently a 

 species discovered in Spain ; it is the Herp. Widd- 

 ringtonii ; but Herp. Rufa. Desm., is most likely a 

 species of Cynictis. 



