2i8 The Mammals of Colorado 
There seems to be no difference in markings sufficient to dis- 
tinguish it from the other species. 
Distribution. — ^The Great Basin Spotted Skunk is found in Utah, 
western Colorado, northern Nevada, southern Idaho, eastern Oregon, 
and northeastern Cahfornia. In Colorado it is found in western 
Routt and Rio Blanco counties, is recorded from Grand Junction and 
Newcastle, probably having its eastern limit in the Grand Valley 
at about Glenwood Springs; it is also recorded from Coventry, 
Montrose County. Its eastern limit in Routt County seems to be 
Sunny Peak. In this State it ranges somewhat above 7,000 feet. 
Family PROCYONIDiE 
Smaller and less bulky forms than bears, with plantigrade 
or semi-plantigrade limbs and a long tail, which is generally 
annulated and sometimes prehensile; five toes to both 
limbs, with the claws short, curved, and non-retractile; skull 
with the bullae and paroccipital process as in the Ursidce, 
but without alisphenoid canal; dentition with molars f, 
tuberculate or multicuspid; upper carnassial short and 
broad. 
Key of the Genera 
A. Form more stout; feet plantigrade, soles naked; tail short, 
about half the length of the body. Procyon, p. 218 
B. Form more slender; feet more or less digitigrade; soles partly 
hairy; tail as long as the body. Bassariscus, p. 220 
Genus PROCYON (Lat. Procyon, Grk. Prokuon, pro, before, + kiion, 
dog, a star or constellation rising a little before the dog star) . 
Procyon Storr, Prodr. Meth. Mamm., p. 35 (1780). Type Ursus 
lotor Linnaeus. 
Body stout; tail rather bushy, about ^ length of body, annulated ; 
soles naked, feet plantigrade; muzzle pointed; ears short; palate 
extending back of molars nearly ^ the distance to foramen magnum ; 
dentition: i. f ; c. \; pm. f ; m. | X 2 = 40. 
This genus is confined to the New World and is spread 
over both the northern and southern Americas. In North 
and Middle America there are found, according to Elliot's 
Check-list, three species, one of which is further subdivided 
