ORDER CARNASSIER. 307 



In the middle of each duct is a very minute aperture, sur- 

 rounded by a muscular ring, somewhat swelled, which 

 enables the animal at pleasure to discharge or to retain the 

 fetid fluid secreted by the glands. The ducts enter the 

 rectum about half an inch within the external aperture. 

 The internal surface of these glands is covered with 

 numerous wrinkles disposed transversely. The fluid se- 

 creted by them is perfectly analogous, in its odour, to that 

 secreted by several species of Mephitis in America, parti- 

 cularly to that of the Mephitis Striata of Fischer. Having 

 experienced that of the latter, which is known in most parts 

 of North America by the name of Skunk, I readily recog- 

 nised it in Java." 



The dentition of the mammiferous genera is the main 

 foundation of our author's arrangement of that branch of the 

 Animal Kingdom : in this particular the species in question 

 agrees, except in a slight variation of the incisive and canine 

 teeth with the Mephitic Weasels of America. In other cha- 

 racters, however, it differs from them, and M. F. Cuvier, 

 who describes the Teledu under the name Telagon, refers to 

 these discrepancies, as follows: — The Chinche-Mephitisdi- 

 midiata, has a rounded head, a short pointed, not very broad 

 muzzle, which calls to mind the head of the Fitchet, or 

 rather of the Cat, if the muzzle of this were less obtuse. 

 On the contrary, the head of the Telagon calls to mind the 

 elongate muzzle and snout of the Badger, with a face still 

 narrower. The Chinche further has a large tail, furnished 

 with long bushy hairs, which it elevates as a plume on its 

 back, in the same manner as Squirrels. The Telagon, on 

 the contrary, is almost deprived of this organ, its tail being 

 scarcely an inch long, and very scantily provided with hairs. 

 The examination of the bony parts further confirms the pro- 

 priety of separating these animals into distinct genera. The 

 elongation of the head of the Telagon, and the narrowness 

 of its muzzle, are the cause that the grinders are indivi. 



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