1899.] ON THE CANID^Ti; OF AFEICA. 533 



5. On the Species of Canidce found on the Continent of 

 Africa. By W. E. de Winton, F.Z.S. 



[Eeceived March 6, 1899.] 



The acquisition by the Society of two Hving Jackals from SoniaU- 

 land, of the species called by Prof. Noack Canis hcujenbecki, hitherto 

 unknown in a living state in this country, enforced the necessity 

 of re-examhiing the African Dogs, and our Secretary has asked me 

 to undertake the task. This communication is not confined to the 

 Jackals of the Ethiopian Eegion, but takes in all the members of 

 the family of Canidte inhabiting the continent of Africa. 



While endeavouring to throw some light into the hopeless 

 confusion the nomenclature of the Jackals of Africa is now 

 in, I do not expect the present communication to clear up all 

 the disputable points ; but it is hoped that by sifting the old 

 descriptions and giving an account of the forms so far as are 

 known to the principal Museums and Zoological Gardens of 

 Europe, some better agreement as to which names shall be applied 

 to certain forms may be arrived at. In no single museum is 

 there to be found a good representative collection of the different 

 African species, so that it is extremely hard to make comparisons 

 and to recall exact characters of specimens examined in different 

 museums. The type specimens of the older described forms have 

 been in most cases mounted, therefore faded and worn almost 

 beyond recognition, and the skulls inaccessible. 



One species, Canis lateralis, described by Dr. Sclater in 1870, 

 from West Africa, has since been generally considered to be 

 identical with the C. adushts of Sundevall. So far as I can make 

 out, the probability is that Sundevall had an example of C. late- 

 ralis before him, as it doubtless extends into S.E. Africa. But 

 without examining the type it is impossible to be certain on this 

 point, and 1 prefer to use the first name, of which there can be no 

 doubt, as in this way no confusion can occur on the subject in the 

 future. 



Dr. Noack has lately published, from not at all satisfactory 

 material, descriptions of four additional forms which I have little 

 hesitation in assigning to one or other of the already well-known 

 species. I am quite prepared, however, to find that this subject 

 will soon require revision. 



If, when we know more of the Airican Jackals, further subspecies 

 are thought necessary, it will be quite evident, on looking at the 

 synonymy given in this paper, that some of these names can be 

 utilized, but so far I see very little use in subdividing the species. 



I consider the Jackals and Eoxes of the Old World so readily 

 recognizable one from another that I should like to keep them 

 apart, though no important character by which to distinguish them 

 can be given. Even the outward characters and habits are beyond 

 my power to define ; and I regret to say that even Dr. Blanford's 

 distinctions (Geol. & Zool. Abyss, p. i!39) will not stand when 



Proc. Zool. Soc— 1899, No. XXXV. 35 



