i34 



ME. "W. E. BE AVINTON ON 



[Apr. 18, 



put to the test. A Jackal vaaj have a sharp bark, as C. adustus 

 (called " Qaaha " by the Oaffirs, from its cry), and the ears of a Jackal 

 may be longer than those of the Common Fox, as in G. variegatus 

 and C. mesomelas. 



It is impossible to follow Gray (P. Z. S. 1868, pp. 492-525), 

 who gave no anatomical or practical reasons for his arrangement 

 and subdivision of the genus, but the Jackals and Foxes as they are 

 usually classed form very natural and convenient groups or sub- 

 genera. The skull of a Pox is very much less powerful than that 

 of a Jackal ; the suborbital parts of the zygomata are more expanded 

 and the inner surfaces of these bones are turned upwards. The 

 small Poxes I shall group together under the name of Sand-Poxes, 

 keeping the Pennec to form a separate subgroup by itself. 



On looking at a number of skins of r)ogs, one is struck with the 

 constancy of the general pattern of the markings. Thus all the 

 Jackals are inclined to a saddle-mark ; this reaches perfection in 

 C. mesomelas, while in G. anihus there is no defined line, though the 

 fur is longer and thicker within the same limits. But the tendency 

 to have a black spot on the dorsal surface of the tail, about two 

 inches from the root, is a character which runs through the whole 

 genus, Jackals and Poxes alike. This spot is no doubt due to a 

 gland, for the hair of this region is more rigid than elsewhere, and 

 there is no underfur growing upon it ; the stiff hairs are generally 

 shorter than those of the surrounding part of the tail and lie 

 rather flat, forming a depression in the fur ; and in many instances, 

 in the dried skin, a yellow substance is found to clog the hair, 

 which has a distinctly aromatic smell. 



I have to record my best thanks to Dr. J. Anderson, P.R.S., 

 Mr. E,. J. Cuninghame, Major Harrison, D.S.O., and Mr. P. J. 

 Jackson, C.B., who have helped me with specimens of Jackals, 

 also to Colonel Lugard, C.B., for the loan of a specimen of the 

 Hunting-Dog from British East Africa. 



Genus 1. Canis. 

 Cajjis simensis. (Pig. 1.) 



Gaiiis simensis, Eiipp. Neue Wirbelth. Abyss, p. 39, pi. 14 (1838) ; 

 Mivart, Canida3, p. 18, plate, skull fig. IS. 



Pis. 1. 



Skull of Cauls simensis, g nat. size. (B.M. 42.8.15.11 ; 162 a.) 



