486 . ZOOLOGY. 
The genus Putorius had representatives during the last period of the 
tertiary epoch only; a few only are known. 
The genus Mephitis (skunk) is composed of species emitting a very strong 
odor from a, liquid secreted by anal glands. They burrow in the ground, or 
dwell in fissures of rocks, living on poultry, birds’ eggs, small quadrupeds, 
and insects. Large families are occasionally found in the same hole. The 
head in this genus is short, the nose somewhat projecting, and the snout 
generally blunt. The body is usually covered with long hair, very long on 
the tail. There are five toes to each foot; the toes of the fore feet armed 
with long and curved nails, indicating the habit of burrowing in the earth. 
In walking the heel is very little raised; they are semi-plantigrade. The 
‘species of this genus are quite numerous, most of them are South American 
or Mexican; three are found in North America. The common American 
skunk (Jf chinga) is one of them. The two others are also found in 
Mexico. Of the genus Mephitis, the only fossil remains which are known 
indicate one species in the caverns of Brazil. 
The genus Mydaus includes a species from Java (JL. meliceps), differing 
from the skunk by a truncated snout resembling that of the hog. 
The genus Paleomephitis resembles very aon Mephitis, but differs 
. from it by a broader and more depressed skull. A single species is known, 
from the fresh water strata of Wirtemberg. 
The genus Lutra (the otters) is distinguished from all the preceding 
genera of the same family by palmated feet, and a horizontally flattened 
tail. The head is broad and rounded, terminated by a blunt snout. The 
ears are very short, as well as the legs. The body itself is robust. They 
have aquatic habits, live along the banks of streams, and feed upon fishes. 
The common otter of Europe (Z. vulgaris) is represented on pil. 113, 
fig. 16. We have one species in North America, L. canadensis (pl. 114, 
fig. 10), very nearly allied to it.. Other species of this genus occur in 
_ Brazil and in the Hast Indies. 
The genus Lutra had several species in the tertiary fauna of Kurope, one 
of which is the type of Geoffroy’s genus Potamotherium. 
The genus Hnhydra, which embraces the sea otter, is.characterized by 
six incisors above, as is usually the case, but only four beneath. The body 
- is very long, prion resembling the prcccatnes genus. 
Enhydra marina is found in North America along the Pacific coast. At 
one time the fur of this animal was the most valuable known. 
Fam. 2. VivERRID#. This family is composed of small but purely carni- 
vorous animals, chiefly distinguished from the Mustelidz or weasels in 
their external characters. They have an anal pouch more or less developed, 
which serves to secrete an unctuous matter, in some species highly 
- odoriferous. Their tongue is rough, with sharp papille. This family is 
nearly absent in North America; a single species is found in its warmer 
portions. 
In the genus Viverra (the civets), the anal pouch is deep, and divided 
into two sacs; the abundant pomade, which is secreted by the glands of 
the pouch, ne a, strong musky odor, and is an article of commerce, used 
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