RELATIVE VIABILITY IN MAMMALS AND BIRDS. 



441 



more than thirty years. Ray Lankester * has recorJed a domestic 

 dog of 34 years ; the oldest Metchnikoff was able to procure was 

 22 years and was very decrepid. The maximum record in this 

 list — a Jackal which lived in the Gardens for nearly fourteen years, 

 but the age of which on arrival is unrecorded, — is, therefore, not 

 at all unexpected. The viability varies roughly with size, the 

 wolves having a better average than jackals, small wild dogs 

 and foxes. Within the period recorded, so far as I can ascertain, 

 the wolves have been freely exposed to the open air, whilst many, 

 although not all, of the smaller animals have been provided with 

 artificial heat. 



Capt. Stanley Flower has no higher records. 



MUSTELID^. ^Y^ .Av.flur. Max. dur. 



Indiv. Ill months, m mouths. 



J/ws^e^a, whole genus 38 29 123 



M. erminea (Common Stoat) 7 21 39 



iT/./oina (Beech-Marten) 5 48-4 84 



if. marges (Pine- Marten) 7 27 107 



J/. j9e7i?t«?iii (Canadian Marten) 1 123 123 



M. 2naork(s (Fole-ent) 11 10*6 26 



M. vulgaris (Weasel) 7 38*7 94 



Gido liiscus (Glutton) 6 42 64 



Gcdictis harhara (Tayra) 13 30 95 



G. vittata (Q^ri^an) 12 41 117 



/cto?iy£cyre?i«^« (Banded Zorilla) 1 2 2 



I Ayhica {lJs}oj2,r\. 7ioy\S\s^ 8 8"5 41 



/. «or;m (Cape Zorilla) 18 15 65 



Helictis suhaurantiaca (Orange-bellied 1 48 48 



Helictis). 



Mellivora capensis {Qiv^Q 'Ka,tQ\) 1 208 208 



M. indica (Indian Ratel) 1 152 152 



T«,Tj(Zea «7?z,mca?ia (American Badger) 2 130 145 



Meles anhmna i^iind. 'Ba.Agev) 3 79 152 



M. leptorliynchus (Sharp-nosed Badger) 19 9 



if. toicits (Common Badger) 26 32 137 



All Badgers 32 41-5 152 



Mephitis me'phitica (Canadian Skunk) .5 25 50 



Conepatus mapurito (Chilian Skunk) .5 21 49 



Lutraleptonyx (^\ii&\\-c\?iwedi Otter)... 2 7 10 



X. JiaiV (Indian Otter) 3 32 52 



L. vulgaris {Com^moxx Otter) 36 40 87 



The average and maximum durations of the various Musteline 

 carnivores vary irregularly. The longest dvxration, 17 years for 

 a Cape Ratel, is surpassed by an Indian Ratel which has been for 

 20 years in the Gardens and is still alive. It is clear that the 

 potential longevitj^ of the Mustelines is high, if their relatively 



* Quoted by E. Metchnikotf, 'The Prolongation of Life,' English Tiaiislatiou. 

 Heineinaun, Loudon, 1907. 



