43 2 THE PIG-LIKE BADGER chap. 



whole surface of the world, with the exception of Australia and 

 Madagascar. The molar teeth are generally reduced to one in the 

 upper jaw, and sometimes to one in the lower jaw, which thus 

 gives "a sort of inima facie resemblance to the feline dentition." 

 There is no alisphenoid canal ; postglenoid and condyloid fora- 

 mina are found. 



Sub-Fam. 1. Melinae. — Of this sub-family there are repre- 

 sentatives both in the Old and New Worlds. 



Melcs, the Badger, is exclusively Palaearctic in range.^ Dr. 

 Mivart says that Mdcs has a relatively longer dorsal region than 

 any other Carnivore, and that it is most nearly approached by 



Fig. 218. — Badger. Mdes taxus. x J. 



its allies Ictonyx and Conej^atios. The molar formula is, as in 

 Ardonyx, Mydaus, and Helictis, Pm |- M -J-- The molars differ 

 from those of anj' other Carni^'ore in the much greater size of 

 the first molars than of the last premolars. The nose is not 

 grooved ; the soles of the feet are naked. The claws of the fore- 

 feet are much longer than those of the hind-feet. 



The genus Arctonyx is a " pig-like badger " from Hindostan, 

 Assam, and North China. Tlie epithet " pig-like " is derived from 

 the long and mobile snout, which is truncated and has terminal 

 nostrils. It is remarkable for having a part of the palate formed 

 by the pterygoids, as in Whales and certain Edentata (e.g. ifynnr- 

 cophaga). There are sixteen dorsal vertebrae. A. collaris lives in 



' As a small point of likeness between this Jlustelid and the Procyonidae may 

 be mentioned the colours of the face. 2L anakuma is particularly Raccoon-like. 



