MELLIVOEA. 
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MELLIVORA. 
Mellivora, Storr, Prodr. Meth., Mamm. 1780, p. 34. 
Size large, form very massive and heavy, fore-quarters more powerful than the hind¬ 
quarters. Ear-conch almost absent. Dorsal surface of the body grey. Face, sides, 
limbs, and the whole of the under parts black. 
Dentition : i. ■§, c. j, pm. g, m. ^ = 32. 
The skull is heavy and, apart from the absence of the second lower molar, is chiefly 
characterized by the extreme width of the base, the shortness of the postorbital 
processes, and the roundness of the premolars ; it is exceedingly like that of the 
Sonth-American genera Galera and Galictis, which are simply enlarged forms of 
Ictonyx so far as their skulls go ; and the fact that the smaller of these South-American 
genera, Galictis (Grison), is almost identical in colouring with the Old-World genus 
Mellivora, is a circumstance of particular interest. 
A glance at the generic names mentioned in the synonymy of the African species 
will show that great uncertainty has existed as to the true relationship of this animal. 
Even in the latest text-books it has been placed among the Badgers, while, in truth, 
it is nothing but a giant weasel modified for digging, and quite closely related to 
Ictonyx. This fact is recognized in the latest arrangement of the exhibition series in 
the British Museum. 
Since so much confusion exists as to the relationship of the different members of 
the Mustelidce, a rearrangement of the subdivisions is here given: 
Subfamily Lutuinje. The Otters. 
Genera : Lutrd, Latax. 
Subfamily Melina. The Badgers. 
Genera: Meles, Mydaus, Helictis, Arctonyx, Taxidea. 
Subfamily Musteline. The Weasel Tribe. 
Genera: Mephitis, Conepatus, Galera, Galictis, Mellivora, Ictonyx, Mustela, Putorius, 
Poeciloqale, Lyncodon, Gulo. 
W. E. DE W. 
