498 DE. P. CHALMERS MITCHELL ON THE 



shown in fig. 32, p. 494, the hind-gut consists of a straight rectal portion with occa- 

 sionally a slight proximal looping. There is a peculiarity, however, which is not well 

 marked in the figure of Cercoleptes, but which is conspicuous in Hassans, Nasua, and 

 Procyon. Immediately distad of the terminal or recurrent straight portion of Meckel's 

 tract the calibre of the intestinal tract suddenly increases. The anterior mesenteric 

 vein is bent rather sharply on itself and receives very numerous, long, radiating 

 tributaries from the minor loops of Meckel's tract. It is joined by the usual posterior 

 mesenteric vein. 



Family Uksidje. Ursus malayanus (fig. 34, p. 496). 



The duodenum is represented by a fairly distinct loop. Meckel's tract consists of a 

 series of rather regular open loops arranged at the periphery of a nearly circular 

 expanse of mesentery, the whole tract being relatively rather long. There is no 

 caecum. The hind-gut consists of two portions, a slightly looped colic region (C.L. in 

 fig. 34) and a long, wide, and nearly straight rectal portion. The anterior mesenteric 

 vein curves round the Meckelian mesentery and receives a large colic branch, whilst it 

 is joined by the posterior mesenteric vein from the rectum. 



Family Canid.e. Canis familiar is, Cants vulpes (fig. 35, p. 497). 



I follow Max Weber (27) in placing the Canidse in the Arctoid division of the 

 Carnivora. In this family the duodenal loop is well distinct from the next portion of 

 the gut, this distinctness being better marked in puppies than in adults. Meckel's 

 tract is relatively shorter than in the other Arctoids, and is composed of rather short, 

 irregular, minor loops and a terminal, recurrent, straight portion at the circumference 

 of an elongated oval expanse of mesentery. The caecum is present and of moderate 

 size ; it is twisted in a cork-screw fashion, the twisting being less marked in young 

 puppies than in adults. The hind-gut is divided into a colic portion, usually better 

 marked than in fig. 35, which was drawn from a Fox, and a relatively long, nearly 

 straight, rectal portion. The anterior mesenteric vein is sharply bent on itself as in 

 the Procyonidse, and is joined by a posterior mesenteric vein which drains both the 

 colic loop and the rectum. 



Division Hekpestoidea. 



Family Hy^enim;. Hycena crocuta (fig. 36). 



In the Hyasna there is a distinct duodenal portion. Meckel's tract is relatively very 

 long, and consists of a closely-set mass of contorted, irregular, minor loops and a long, 

 straight, recurrent portion, suspended at the circumference of an elongated oval expanse 

 of mesentery. There is a comparatively long, straight caecum. . The hind-gut is much 

 wider in calibre and consists of a distinct colic loop and a long wide rectum. The 

 anterior mesenteric vein is very large and is bent on itself and receives numerous 

 regularly placed affluents from the course of Meckel's tract. It is joined by a short 

 colic branch and a long posterior mesenteric vein from the rectum. 



