2 7 6 



THE ORIENTAL REGION. 



[CHAP. 



istic of the region, although two of them are not confined to it. 

 The first of these comprises the three species of sand-badger 

 (Arctonyx), two of which are found in the Himalayan and Burmese 

 sub-regions, while the third is Tibetan. The single Oriental 

 species of ratel (Mellivora) is restricted to India, exclusive of 

 Ceylon ; a fossil species occurring in the Siwaliks. The only other 

 living form is Ethiopian. Its distribution would thus seem to 

 indicate that the genus originated in northern India, whence it 



FIG. 63. INDIAN RATEL (Mellivora ratel). 



migrated into Africa while there was a free communication between 

 the two continents, and that it only reached southern India (where 

 it is unknown on the Malabar coast) at a comparatively recent 

 epoch. The third genus, Helictis, comprising badger-like animals 

 with long bushy tails, is represented by four species, ranging from 

 India to China, but unknown in Ceylon. Lastly, the teledu, or 

 small burrowing badger (Mydaus meliceps) of the Malayan sub- 

 region, is the sole representative of its genus, and is found at con- 



