576 



KEPOKT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



prairie spotted skunk {Spilogale interrupt a) is similar, but has 

 much less white. 



Skull and teeth. — The skull of this species is long and 

 narrow compared with the other members of the genus, although 

 the general form is much like that of the large skunks. The zygo- 

 matic arches are widely spreading and the teeth are heavy. 



Measurements. — Howell states that seven adults vary from 470- 

 563 mm. (183/4, in. to 221/2 in.) in total length; tail, 193-219 mm. 

 (734 to 83/4 in.) ; hind foot, 45-51 mm. (13/4 to 2 in.). 



Range. — Spilogale putorius has previously been known in the 

 southern Appalachain region and Grulf States, the nearest records 

 being from Tennessee and West Virginia. I am indebted to Mr. 

 E. J. Chansler, of Bicknell, who has furnished me with so many 

 valuable records, for all the knowledge I have concerning the oc- 

 currence of this species in the State. In his list of Knox County 

 mammals first sent to me in April, 1907, Mr. Chansler mentioned 

 the "civet cat," saying that a fur dealer who formerly resided in 

 Vincennes stated that he had obtained a few ''civet cats" from the 

 southern part of the State. He stated that they had several curved 

 white stripes and spots on the body. The civet family {Viverridae) 

 are not inhabitants of America at all, and at my request Mr. 

 Chansler set about getting further information. In reply to his 

 inquiries Funsten Brothers Company, of St. Louis, one of the 

 largest dealers in raw furs in the United States, stated that they 

 obtained a few civet cat skins from Indiana and they further gave 

 him an accurate account of the range of the genus Spilogale and a 

 brief but accurate statement concerning some of its different spe- 

 cies. Andersch Brothers, of Minneapolis, also informed him that 

 they obtained a few civet cats from this State. 



A more definite record, and one which seems to certainly estab- 

 lish the occurrence of these animals in the State, is the capture of 

 a ''civet cat" near Overshot bridge on the Vandalia railroad, be- 

 tween Bicknell and Bruceville, in Knox County. Although the 

 skin was not seen by any trained naturalist, the man who trapped 

 the animal reported it to Chansler and stated that he received a 

 small price for it, as the fur was in poor condition. I have learned 

 from several fur dealers that the skins of these skunks are handled 

 under the trade name of "civet cats" and there doc^s not seem to 

 })e any j)()ssibility of confusing them with other animals. Moreover, 

 nil of the Fur dealers consulted have been able to give identifiable 

 descri[)1 ions of the {inirrials and definite information as to their 

 distribution. It is certain that these skunks are very rare in the 



