360 



GENUS MELES.— BKI3S0N. 



DENTAL FORMULA. 



Incisive ^ ; Canine ;^ ; Molar =— = = 34. 



D 1 — 1 5—0 



OR, 



Incisive =- ; Canine -^ ; Molar -:—, = 32. 



D 1 — 1 4 — 4 



The canine teeth in this genus are rather large and strong. In addi- 

 tion to the four persistent molars on each side in the upper jaw, there is 

 an additional small molar which is deciduous, dropping out when the 

 animal is quite young. 



Nose, somewhat elongated, obtuse at the point ; tongue, smooth ; ears, 

 short and round ; eyes, small ; body, thick-set ; legs, short. Mammae, six, 

 two on the lower part of the chest and four on the abdomen. There are 

 transverse glandular follicles between the anus and the root of the tail, 

 which discharge a fetid matter. 



The feet are five-toed, and are armed with strong nails. The fore-feet 

 are longer than the hind-feet. 



Three species of this genus have been described ; one inhabits Europe, 

 one India, and one America. 



The generic name is derived from the Latin word Meles, a badger. 



MELES LABRADORIA .—Sabine. 



Ahebican Badger. 



PLATE XL VII Male. Natural size. 



Supra, ftisco-ferruginea ; infra, subalbida ; capite, fascia longitudinale 

 alba ; cniribus et pedibus nigris. 



