62 



EINAR LONNBEBG, MAMMALS COLLECTED IN CENTRAL AFRICA. 



Mungos paludinosus conf. rubescens Hollister. 



Two specimens probably from Rutshuru, only one of them with a skull. 



As the fauna at the locality mentioned chiefly is of a West African type it appeared 

 to be of interest to compare these specimens in the first rank with western specimens of 

 the Marsh Mungoose group. The investigation showed then very soon that the affinities 

 were not to be found in the west, but as complete descriptions of some western represen- 

 tatives of this group of Mungooses may prove to be of value at future studies, I have de- 

 cided to publish the following notes, the more so as I have been able to receive some 

 direct knowledge about Tbmminck's )>Herpestes pluto». The relation of this form to 

 the Cameroon Marsh Mungoose has been rather obscure to me hitherto, but the informa- 

 tion, which I have now been able to obtain, may be useful to others, and is thus included. 



The following measurements indicate the dimensions of the type-skulls of Tem- 

 minck's ))Herpestes pluto», which the present author has had the pleasure of measuring 

 thanks to the great kindness of the director of the Rijks Museum van Natuurlijke Histo- 

 ric in Leiden, Dr. E. D. van Ooet. 



Greatest length 



Condyloinoisive length 



Basal length 



Zygomatic breadth 



Interorbital breadth 



Least postorbital breadth 



Distance from orbit to gnathion . . . 

 Palatal length from gnathion .... 

 Palate breadth outside p* (posteriorly) 

 Combined breadth of upper incisors . 



Longest diameter of p* . . 

 Length on outer side of p' 

 Transverse diameter of p* . 

 «i' 



Back of m^ to front of canine 

 Length of lower jaw .... 



? (?) 



107 mm. 



97.2 » 



91.5 » 



19 



17.6 » 

 32,0 » 



34 » 



13.7 » 

 6,2X5,3 » 



11 » 



9,3 J 



8,2 i> 



9,5X6,7 » 



6X3 » 



37.3 « 



It is especially noteworthy that very small p^ are present only in one of the speci- 

 mens which is signed » ? ». In the other there is no trace of p"^ and the diastema is short. 

 Both specimens are fully adult with well developed crista sagittalis. The upper canines 

 of both specimens are provided with well developed sharp knife-like edges as well in front 

 as behind, and these edges are by a fluting or groove both on the inner and the outer side 

 separated from the central cone of the tooth. Thanks to this the upper canines look 

 very broad when viewed from the side, their greatest antero -posterior diameter in the 

 male amounting to 7 mm. 



