THE SUR1CATE. 



207 



webbed at the base, and provided with short, retractile claws. The close thick fur is of a yellowish- 

 brown colour, lighter on the under side of the head, and over the eyes, and darker on the legs. 

 The mode of progression is nearly plantigrade. 



There is not much known of the habits of the Cynogale, except that it frequents the neigh- 

 bourhood of water, and is also a good climber. It is found in the island of Borneo. 



THE CYNICTIS.* 



This animal, a near relative of the Ichneumons, is found in South Africa, where it is represented 

 by three species. The head and body attain a length of about half a yard ; the tail of about a foot. 

 The pelage is smooth, of a reddish colour, darker on the head and limbs ; the tail is bushy, of a 

 greyish colour, and tipped with white. There are five toes on the fore foot, three on the hind foot. 



THE MANGUE.f 



The Crossarchus, Mangue, or Kusimanse, presents a good deal of resemblance to the Cynogale, but 

 differs from it in having rough fur and a comparatively long tail. It is also a much smaller animal, not 

 exceeding fourteen or fifteen inches in length from snout to root of tail, which latter appendage is about 

 eight inches in length. The body is thick and stout ; the fur brown, becoming lighter on the head ; 

 the ears are short, and the snout is long and flexible, projecting some distance beyond the mouth, 

 somewhat like that of the Coati. The secretion of the tail glands is very fetid. 



The single species of Crossarchus is found in tropical Africa. Very little is known of its habits 

 in a wild state ; in captivity it soon becomes tame, and seems to prefer animal to vegetable food. 



THE SUIUCATE.J 



This is a South African species, and, as in the case of the last two forms, little or nothing is 

 known of its habits in a state of nature. It is about the size of the Crossarchus, the body and head 



Cynictis penicfllata. 



f Crossarchus obscurus. 



Suricata zenick. 



