Feb., 191 2. Mammals of Illinois and Wisconsin 



Cory. 



345 



Mephitis hudsonica 



Mephitis mephitis 



^ 



M. m. putida 



M. m. avia 



M. m.mesomelas 



Area of intergradation 



Map showing supposed distribution of Skunks belonging to the genus Mephitis in Illinois and 

 Wisconsin and adjoining states. 



Mephitis hudsonica (Richardson). Type locality — Plains of the Saskatchewan, 

 Canada. Size large ; total length from 26 to 29 inches ; tail with blunt black brush 

 at tip, without white pencil; no median spine on palate; description as previously 

 given . 



Mephitis mephitis (Schreber). (Saugthiere, III, 1776, p. 444, tab. CXXI.) Type 

 locality — "America." (The name is now restricted to the northern form of the 

 Eastern Skunk.) Palate without median spine ; zygomata heavy and not greatly 

 expanded; tail rather short, mixed black and white, the end white. 



Mephitis m. avia (Bangs). Type locality — San Jose, Illinois. Description as 

 previously given. Resembles mesomelas, but larger; tail more than half the 

 length of body and usually wholly black. 



Mephitis m. putida (Boitard). (Jard. Plantes Paris, Mamm., 1842, p. 147.) Type 

 locality — New Jersey. Palate with distinct median spine ; end of tail with 

 white pencil ; tail vertebrae less than 1 1 inches. 



Mephitis m. mesomelas (Lichtenstein). (Darst. Saugeth., 1832, text, pi. 45, fig. 2.) 

 Type locality — Louisiana. Palate without median spine; size small; tail 

 usually wholly black; length about 23 inches; tail vertebrae about 9 inches. 



Mephitis m. elongata Bangs. (Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., XXVI, 1895, p. 531.) 

 Type locality — Micco, Brevard Co., Florida. Size medium; tail long, usual 

 over 11.50 inches, with white pencil; palate with spine; frontal region arched; 

 rostrum broad. 



