434 MR. B. T. POCOCK ON THE EXTERNAL CHARACTERS 



Text-fieure 24. 



Taxides. 



A. Posterior view of the skull of Taxidea. X | approx. 



C. The same of MeJes. 



B. Inferior view of posterior portion of skull of Taxidea {f.o., foramen 



ovale). 



D. The same of Ileles. 



Conclusions. 



In view of the nature and number of the differences between 

 Meles and Taxidea in skull and teeth, it seems no exaggeration to 

 sny that the resemblances between the genera in those particvdars 

 are onl}^ such as entitle them to a place in the famil}^ Mustelidie. 

 Unquestionably the skull of Taxidea presents a greater likeness 

 to tliat of Mellivora than to the skull of Meles ; but it is, in my 



