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DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE GENUS HELOGALE. [Nov. 12, 



The following papers were read : — 



1, Notice of Helogale, a New Genus of Viverrid^. 

 By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S., F.L.S., etc. 



In making out a list of the skulls of the animals in the Museum, 

 Mr. Edward Gerrard called my attention to a peculiarity in the skull 

 of some of the smaller African Mangoustes. They are externally 

 like the true Herpestes, but they want the smaller false premolar 

 teeth in the upper jaw, which are always to be found in the true 

 species of that genus. I propose to designate the group Helogale, 

 which may be thus characterized : — 



Helogale. 



Cutting teeth |^ ; Can. ^ ; Premol. ^^ ; Mol. ^^ = 36. 

 Body slender ; head oval ; ears distant ; toes 5 — 5 ; claws com- 



Skull of Helogale parvula (side view). 



Skull of Helogale parvula (upper surface.) 



pressed, acute ; soles of hind feet half bald and callous ; tail hairy, 

 tapering. 



1. Helogale parvula (Herpestes parvulus, Sundeval). 

 Skull broad. 



Hab. Natal. 



2. Helogale t^nionota {Herpestes tcenionotus, A. Smith). 



Skull elongate. 

 Hab. South Africa. 



The skull differs considerably in shape from that of the species of 

 true Herpestes. 



