MAMMALS. 



21 



'V: 



■I. 



■ 1 



I' 



Ilephifis vittata^ of tbe same autlior, has three \\liite stripes on the nape and one lateral on 

 each flank, "with a white tuft in the end of the tail. 



The description of M, varmns^^ by Gray, is very unsatisfactory ; hut there can he little 

 douht that he had this species hefure him, especially as the locality given is Texas. 



This species is ahundant throughout Texas, but has not been observed in California, Its 

 southern and northern limits have not been ascertained. 



"709. $. Monterey, Mexico. Lt. D. N. Couch. — 237. O- Mataraoras, Mexico. Lt. D. 

 N. Couch.— 127. Mier, Texas. April, 1852. A. Schott.— 233. Eagle Pass, Texas. Sept. 

 1, 1853. A. Schott. 



19. MEPHITIS BICOLOR, Gray, (p. 197.)— T^itile Striped Skunlc. 



Several sltulls of a small slrunk were collected at Indianola hy Mr. Clark, which I refer to 

 this species. Ko skins were, however, obtained, which throws some uncertaiuty on the 

 question. 



20. TAXIDEA BEELANDIERI, B a i r d. (p. 205.)— Mexican Badger. 



Sp. Ch. — Similar to the T. lahradona^hMi smaller; above reddish gray, with a narrow white stripe e.xtcndinn^ from the 

 muzzle to the root of the tail. 



The differences between skins of American badgers brought from Mexico and those found in 

 the more northern regions of North America have long since been pointed out by Richardson 

 and Bennett, although supposed to be due to local causes entirely, and not indicating diiFerent 



species. I have not bad the opportunity of comparing skins from Mexico and the northern 

 United States ; but an examination of several skulls in the Berlandiere collection^ together with 

 bis MSS. description and figures, clearly point out distinctive characteristics. The name 

 assigned by Berlandiere would have been retained^ had it not been a so-called barbarous one, 

 and as such not to be perpetuated, if unpublished, however much the propriety of changing it, 

 when properly brought before the scientific world, might be questioned. 



Bennett, in referring to this species, says, that with the same general form and pattern the 

 California '^variety" has a much darker ground color, of a blackish brown, and grizzled with 

 white on the lunder part of the head. The middle white line shows indistinctly in several 

 places along the back ; in fact, the most striking external distinction is seen in the extension of 

 the line on the top of the head, over the whole length of (he back to the root of the tail. 



Judging from a comparison of skulls, thi«j species is smaller than T. lahradoria. The true 

 molars are, however, decidedly larger ; the outline of the posterior upper one is triangular, the 

 antero-internal angle nearly right angled, its sidvs about eqtial. The penultimate molar, too, 

 is broader, with its axis more nearly transverse. In T. labrodoria the posterior molar is smaller, 

 the antero-internal angle rather obtuse, and the penultimate molar not so oblique. From these 

 there results a greater interval between these two teeth, which are in contact only externally, 

 insttad of being applied against each other for half their contiguous sides. The coronoid pro- 

 cess of the lower jaw is less elevated in T. btrlandleri than in T. labraduria, while the condy- 

 loid is even higher in proportion. 



teeth 



*.w. 



vaitatts. 



>lack, With a narrow white streak on the forehead, a largo tq 

 bones. Tail black ; base of the hairs while. Ijih^bitd Tuxai. 



\ 



