1882.] AFRICAN MUNGOOSES. 83 



gradually fills up, but never produces the row of small holes found 

 in Suricata. Other characters as in Herpestes. 



This genus is a very distinct and well marked one, not only on 

 accouQt of its different number of digits, but also of the fact that its 

 skull is very differently shaped from that of Herpestes, more resem- 

 bling that of Suricata than that of any of the genera of this section. 



In Smuts's work on the Mammals of the Cape, published a year 

 before Mr. Ogilby described the genus, the absence of the hallux in 

 this form was noticed, and Dr. Smuts stated his opinion that a special 

 genus ought to be formed for it. He did not, however, give it a 

 name, so that that given by Mr. Ogilby stands unaltered. 



The only well authenticated species is 



1. Cynictis penicillata. 



Herpestes penicillatus, Gr. Cuv. R. A. (edit. 2), i. p. 158 (1829). 



Mangusta leoaillaatii, A. Smith, Zool. Journ. iv. p. 43/ (1829). 

 *Cynictis steedmanni, Ogilby, P. Z. S. 1833, p. 49 (1833). 



Cynictis typicus. Smith, S. Afr. Quart. Journ. ii. p. 116 (1835). 

 *C.ogilbii, Sm. t. cit. p. 1 17(1835); 111. Zool. S. Afr. pi. 16(1849). 



Ichneumia albescens, Geoff. Mag. Zool. 1839, pi. 12 (figure, not 

 description) (1839). 

 *C. leptura, Smith, 111. Zool. S. Afr. pi. 17 (1849). 



Hab. Cape Colony. 



Size medium ; form slender, head rather small in proportion. Tail 

 about the length of the body without the head, very bushy. Colour 

 varying from dark yellow (C. steedmanni) to light yellowish grey 

 (C. oyilbii) ; longer hairs with their basal halves light yellow, then 

 with a black subterminal ring, and their tips white. The variation 

 in the general colour is caused by the different lengths of these white 

 tips to the hairs. Underfur rich yellow. Chin white ; belly and 

 legs rather paler than back. Tail very bushy, the hairs often over 

 2 inches in length, and coloured like the longer back-hairs — namely, 

 first yellow, then black, and the tips white. Hairs at tip of tail 

 white to their roots. Dental percentages 57-66. 



Dimensions. 

 Head and 



