232 VERTEBRATE REMAINS, PORT KENNEDY BONE DEPOSIT. 



table by which they may be distinguished from the two best known recent species 

 M. mephitica and M. putorius. I add here that Dr. Merriam has endeavored to 

 substantiate the reference of the latter species to a separate genus under the name 

 of Spilogale 1 . He gives a list of characters which he regards as generic, but which 

 are to me specific only, as they only consist of proportions of the skull and teeth. 

 I. M^ with para- and metaconule forming a straight longitudinal crest ; no 

 posterior ledge. 

 Metaconid small, low ; inferior premolars 2-3 overlapping ; entoconid, 

 low ; M. fossidens Cope. 



II. Mi with distinct V-shaped para- and metaconules, separated by a fossa 

 inwardly ; 

 Metaconid small, low ; inferior premolars 2-3 not overlapping ; ramus, 

 lower border rising posteriorly ; entoconid, low ; M. orthostichus Cope. 

 III. M 1 without metaconule, but with a broad posterior ledge ; paraconule, 

 V-shaped. 

 Metaconid small ; premolars not overlapping ; ramus not rising poster- 

 iorly ; smaller ; M. putorius L. 

 Metaconid, large ; premolars not overlapping ; ramus rising posteriorly ; 

 entoconid elevated ; larger ; M. mephitica L. 

 As isolated mandibular rami are more frequently found than superior molar 

 teeth, I give the following characters of the species based on this part. 



I. Inferior border of ramus rising posteriorly. 



a. Entoconid elevated. 



Premolars 2-3 not overlapping ; m. series 24 mm. ; M. mephitica L. 

 oca. Entoconid low. 



Premolars 2-3 not overlapping ; m. series 21 ; depth of ramus at 



m T 9 mm.; M. orthostichus Cope. 



Premolars 2-3 overlapping ; m. series 21 ; depth of ramus at m T 



7 mm.; slender; M. leptops Cope. 



Premolars 2-3 overlapping ; m. series 27 ; depth of ramus at m T 



10 mm.; robust; M. fossidens Cope. 



Premolars 2-3 overlapping; m. series 15 mm. ; depth of ramus at 



m T 5 mm. ; least; M. obtusatus Cope. 



II. Inferior border of ramus nearly horizontal posteriorly (entoconid low) ; 



Premolars 2-3 not overlapping; m. series 18 mm.; depth of ramus at 

 m T 6 mm. ; small ; M. putorius L. 



There are jaws and teeth of at least fiftj-five individuals of the genus Me- 

 phitis in the collection obtained by Mr. Mercer. Of these I can determine, as to 

 specific character, twenty-four. All belong to extinct species except perhaps two 

 fragments of upper jaws, which contain the tubercular molars and other teeth, the 

 former resembling the corresponding tooth of the existing skunk ; no lower jaws of 



1 North American Fauna, No. -i, 1S90, p. 5. 



