366 DR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE ARCTOIDEA. [Apr. 21, 



The lumbar vertebrae are found much as in Meles. The spinous 

 process of the 13th dorsal vertebra is vertical '. The scapula is less 

 quadrate than in Meles and more like that of Procyon. The fibula 

 is strongly divaricated from the tibia. The proportional length of 

 the ultimate phalanges is nearly the same as in Meles. 



The skull has the outline of the muzzle, when seen in profile, very 

 like that of Nasua, and the lateral posterior portion of the palate 

 shows a trace of the swelling present in the last-named genus. The 

 bony palate is also very prolonged, extending back behind the molars 

 to a line joining the two glenoid surfaces, as it does also in Procyon 

 and Nasua. In addition to the various cranial characters given by 

 Prof. Flower", it may be noted that the sagittal ridge is large, the 

 postorbital processes of the frontal very obscure, and those of the 

 malar wanting. The infraorbital foramen is very large Mndeed. The 

 pre- and postglenoid processes are smaller and shorter than in Meles. 

 The pterygoids descend much as they proceed backwards, are 

 twisted, everted, and somewhat bullate. 



The basis cranii is more flattened than in any form yet here noted. 

 The mastoid and paroccipital processes form together a continuous 

 ridge on each side of the skull round the region of the bulla, from 

 which the principal process is rather remote. The glenoid foramen 

 is singularly posterior in position witlt respect to the glenoid surface. 

 The zygomata do not arch much outwards. The angle of the man- 

 dible is, as it were, more pushed up close to the condyle than in any 

 form yet noticed, and projects so little as to be almost obsolete. 

 There is no distinct subangular process, but only a roughened tract 

 in the place of it. 



Molar formula = P. \, M. \. 



The first premolar above and below is often rudimentary or absent. 

 The form of the molars is much like that in Meles ; but the pre- 

 ponderance of the first upper molar over the sectorial is slightly less. 

 The fourth upper premolar is very like that of Meles ; but it has 

 but a single inner tubercle, and this is smaller than the corre- 

 sponding part in the tooth of Meles. The first upper true molar 

 is quite like what that of Meles would be if its anterior internal 

 angle were obliquely cut off. The lower premolars and molars are 

 like those of Meles, except that the second true molar is longer in 

 proportion to its breadth. 



The canines are more trihedral than hitherto, and the upper 

 incisors are arranged in a more prolonged curve, and the lower ones 

 are more proclivous. 



The tongue has two or three circumvallate papillae on each side 

 of the median line, and narrow as usual. Small papillae are scattered 

 everywhere, and coat the tongue, which offers no conspicuous cha- 

 racter. 



The anal glands are normal. 



' As also in Meles. It is the 12tli wliioh is vertebral in Proci/on and Cerco- 

 leptes, and the lltli in Ailnnis and Bassaris. 

 - P. Z. 8. 1869, p. 12. 

 '■' It is at its maximum, amongst Carnivores, in this genus and Liitra, 



