MOUSTELIDA : 579 
consequence of which there is no crucial fissure, and the so-called 
“Ursine lozenge,” so characteristic of the Arctoidea, is incomplete 
behind. The superior gyrus, as in Ictonyx and Afustela, ceases at 
the superior posterior angle of the hemisphere. 
Lctonyx.A—Dentition : i 3, ¢4, p 3, m4; total 34. In general 
characters the teeth much resemble those of the Polecats (JMustela), 
being more delicately cut and sharply cusped than in most of the 
foregoing. Upper molar smaller than the carnassial, narrow from 
before backwards. Lower carnassial with a small narrow talon and 
distinct inner cusp. General form of body Musteline. Limbs short. 
Fore feet large and broad, with five stout, nearly straight, blunt, 
and non-retractile claws, of which the first and fifth are considerably 
shorter than the others. Tail moderate, with longer hairs towards 
the end, giving it a bushy appearance. Hairs generally long and 
loose. The best-known species of this genus, J. zorilla, the Cape 
Polecat, was placed by Cuvier in the genus Jfustela, and by 
Lichtenstein in Mephitis; and in many characters it forms a 
transition between these genera. It is about the size of an English 
Polecat, but conspicuous by its coloration, having broad, longitudinal 
bands of dark brown, alternating with white. Its odour is said to 
be as offensive as that of the American Skunks. From the Cape of 
Good Hope it ranges as far north as Senegal. Another species, 
I. frenata, from Sennaar and Egypt, has been described. 
Subfamily Mustelinze.—Toes short, partially webbed; claws 
short, compressed, acute, curved, often semiretractile. Upper molar 
of moderate size, wide transversely. Kidneys simple. Terrestrial 
and arboreal in habits. 
Galictis."—Dentition: 7 3,¢ 4, p #,m4; total 34. Molars small 
but stout. Upper carnassial with the inner tubercle near the middle 
of the inner border of the tooth. Lower carnassial with talon small, 
and inner cusp small or absent. Body long. Limbs short ; claws 
non-retractile. Palms and soles naked. Head broad and depressed. 
Tail of moderate length. The best-known species are G. vittata, the 
‘vison (genus Grisonia, Gray), and G. barbara, the Tayra (genus 
Galera, Gray), both South American; G. allamandi is an inter- 
mediate form. 
Remains of (alictis occur in the Pleistocene cavern-deposits of 
Brazil, and also in the Pleistocene of North America. 
Mustela.2—Dentition: i 8, ¢ 4, p aaa m4; total 34 or 38. 
Upper carnassial with inner tubercle close to the anterior edge of 
the tooth. Molar nearly as large as carnassial. Lower carnassial 
with small or no inner cusp. Vertebre: C7, D14, L6, 8 3, 
C 18-23. Body long and slender. Limbs short, digitigrade. Feet 
1 Kaup, Thierreich, vol. i. p. 352 (1835). 2 Bell, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1837, p. 45. 
3 Linn. Syst. Nat. 12th ed. vol. i. p. 66 (1766). 
