432 



MR. II. I. POCOrjPv ON THE EXTIillNAL CHARACTERS 



nearly at a right angle, abruptly and irregularly fattened and 

 grooved " {toni. cit. p. 269). 



This description is not very int;^lligible, and it is doubtful if 

 the describer knew either the proximal from tlie distal extremity 

 or the dorsal from the ventral surface; but I infer that the bone 

 is compressed, grooved throughout its extent below, tliickened at 

 the base and hooked at the apex, but whether the curvature of 

 the hook is directed upwards or downwards does not appear; 

 and wliether the apex is symmetrical or asymmetrical is also 

 unknown. 



Skull and Teeth. 



The skull of Meles meles was fully described and illustrated by 

 Miller ; that of Taxidea was figureil and described by Cones. 



Text-figure 23. 



A B 



A. Upper view of the skull oF Taxidea. X f approx. 

 15. TliL' same of Meles. 



Elliot also reproluced photo,uraphs of it*, and Baird pointed out 

 some of tile difterenccs between the two genera in the crania and 

 teetb. 



Field Columb. Mus. ii. p. 320 (1901). 



