1909.] THE STRUCTURE OF THE CARNIVORE GALIDIA ELEGANS. 477 
2. On some Points in the Structure of G'alidia elegans, and 
on the Postcaval Vein in Carnivores. By Frank KE. 
BepparD, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S., Prosector to the Society. 
[Received March 18, 1909. | 
(Text-figures 123-131.) 
The death of a specimen of this Madagascar Viverrid on 
February 21 last has enabled me to supplement my account of 
Galidictis striata* with some notes upon its ally Galidia elegans, 
of the anatomy of which there is at present but little knowledge. 
The two genera are undoubtedly very closely allied, but never- 
theless there are some differences which fully justify the generic 
separation of the two, and which include facts of some little 
interest as a contribution to the anatomy of the Viverride. I 
have endeavoured to examine into all the matters which are known 
to be of importance from a systematic point of view, and the 
excellent condition of the specimen fortunately permitted a careful 
study of some of the veins. 
$ Katernal Characters. 
The external characters of Galidia are for the most part known 
and are referred to by Mivart in his account of the genera of 
Ailuroidea 7. He observes that “ the anus does not seem to open 
into any cutaneous depression.” I find that this statement, made 
perhaps somewhat tentatively £, is perfectly correct. I also agree 
with Mivart in finding no prescrotal glands. 
Carpal vibrissz are present, as In so many other Carnivora $. 
It will be noted that the absence of prescrotal glands dif- 
ferentiates the genus Galidia from Galidictis, in which they are 
present, but that both agree in the absence of a cutaneous pouch 
into which the anus opens. The anus is large in Galidia, as is 
also the case with Galidictis. 
§$ Alimentary Canal. 
y 
In my paper upon Galidictis I have recorded the fact that in a 
skull of Galidia elegans examined by me the first premolar was 
present on both sides, there being thus—so far as this specimen 
was concerned—no difference from the allied Hemigalidia. I 
find, however, from an examination of the example of Galidia 
elegans which forms the subject of the present communication to 
the Society, that the tooth in question is absent, and from both 
* “On sonie Points in the Structure of Galidictis striata,” P.Z.S. 1907, p. 803. 
+ “On the Classification and Distribution of the Aluroidea,”’ P. Z. S. 1882, 
p. 135. 
{ It is queried in the definition of the subfamily Galidictine, loc. cit. p. 189. 
§ Beddard, “ Observations upon the Carpal Vibrisse in Mammals,” P. Z.S. 1902, 
vol. i. p. 127. 
