

CARXIVORA. 209 



Dentition f , ^-^, -f = 38 : the f-f anterior molars 

 false, the carnassial above trilobate, with large in- 

 ternal central lobe; tubercular, middle-sized, trans 

 verse, below small ; head elongate ; toes 5-5, claws 

 strong, the anterior long, compressed ; feet planti- 

 grade, soles naked to near the heel ; tail moderate 

 length. The species known belong to Eastern Asia. 



Hel. moschata. Twenty-three inches long, in- 

 cluding eight inches of tail ; above silvery grey ; 

 silvery white at the sides and at tip of tail ; head 

 and fore feet brownish-ash ; a white streak between 

 and two others near the eyes, with other spots on 

 lips and near the ears, and the limbs of the same 

 colour. Inhabits China. 



Hel. orientalis. Gulo orlentalis^ Horsf Bay- 

 brown, a white streak from between the eyes passing 

 over the forehead and neck to the loins ; the orbits, 

 region round ears, lips, throat, and breast, of the 

 same colour. 



The next group returns again to the skunks, by 

 the mephi;ic qualities of Mydaus ; but in form, 

 organs of motion, and powers of digging, they asso- 

 ciate with badgers. 



Genus MELES. The Badger. Dentition $, ^-{, 

 i'S = 38 ; the second incisors placed backwards; 

 first molars above very small, the second and third 

 pointed, the fourth tirenchant externally, and the 

 fifth large and tuberculous; below the penultimate 

 the most trenchant ; body thick, limbs short, eyes 

 and ears small ; fetid secretion from a pouch be- 

 neath the tail ; fur coarse, rather long, 

 o 



