1839.] -'■ ' * [Cope. 



within the inner margin. Tlie posterior margin is slightly elevated, and 

 in front of it is another very small cusp, similar to those on the external 

 margin. 



The characters are less carnivorous than those in Ursus, and approach 

 remotely the smoothness of Cercoleptes. There are indications of two 

 roots, one of which is broken away. The arc of the base of the 

 crown determines the position of this one, and of the anterior margin of 

 the tooth. The strong anterior tubercle is slightly transverse, and the 

 anterior face near its crest being preserved, indicates the extremity of the 

 crown to have been but little beyond. Hence the following measurements: 



Lines. 



Length to crest of transverse tubercle. 3.7 



Width at median outer tubercle 3.5 



Depth ci'own between roots 1.8 



Width of root 1,6 



Galera perdicida,* (Joiie, sp. nov. 



This is a small carnivore of the Lutrine group of the Mustelidae, appa- 

 rently allied to Mephitis and Lutra. It is only represented by a left ra- 

 mus of the mandible, with dentition complete. Its characters are as 

 follows: Dentition |, ^, |, |.. The tubercular molar is relatively 

 as in the allied genera, but Avithout sharp tubercle; the sectorial charac- 

 terizes the genus as distinct from the two mentioned. The posterior lobe 

 is without the marked internal and external acute tubercle seen in Me- 

 phitis, nor the tubercular crest of Lutra, but is rounded and slightly 

 concave. The median crests, inner and outer, are strongly developed, 

 and with the anterior, quite as in Mephitis. 



The jaw pertained to an adult individual of smaller size than the com- 

 mon skunk, Mephitis chiuga. The bases of the crowns of the first and 

 second premolars, and to the outer side of the canine are surrounded by 

 a well marked cingulum. The length of the crown of the molar is 

 greater in proportion to the length than in the skunk. The axis of 

 the coronoid process is as in it, at right angles to that of the ramus. 

 The latter is straighter on the inferior border than in the skunk, and ex- 

 hibits a marked difference in the angle being nearly on the same line, and 

 not raised above it, as in the species of American skunks and otters, fig- 

 ured by Baird. 



Measu7^ements. 



Lines. 



Fi'om angle to outer incisive alveolus 15.6 



Depth at coi'onoid 8. 



From base condyle to tubercular molar 5. 



Length sectorial molar 3.6 



Width " '• 1.2 



Height from basal shoulder 2. 



Depth ramus at tubercular 2.7 



'• " at pm. 2 8.1 



Length of crown of canine 3. 



*The pedant would write this perdicicida. 



