MELLIVOEA EATEL. 
247 
Measurements of skulls. 
B.M. No. 97.11.5.18. 
Fish E., 
Grabamstown. 
Suakin, 
Mr. Maso 
c?. 
$. 
Suakin. 
mm. 
mm. 
mm. 
Greatest length (premax. to occipital condyle) . 
147 
117 
138 
„ breadth at mastoids. 
93 
645 
82 
„ „ zygomata. 
91 
64 
77 
Basal length. 
135 
108 
130 
Palatal „ . 
72 
53 
66 
Alveolar length of P’"- ^. 
13 
12 
13 
The measurements given above show the extremes in size of African specimens as 
represented in the collection of the British Museum. 
Hadendowah names, ‘ Weelahoar ’ and ‘ Magoon.’ 
Buppell, in the ‘Neue Wirbelthiere,’ says that “the Arabs call this animal ‘Abu 
Keem;’ it lives in holes in the ground and feeds on gerbils, hares, and even 
tortoises.” 
Heuglin (Verhandl. K. Leop.-Carol. Ak. Naturf. xxix. 8, Jena, 1861, p. 19, fig. 
skull) gives the Arab name of the Batel as ‘ Abu Djaga ; ’ and says that it feeds on all 
sorts of larvae and grubs, and is particularly fond of the honey and wax of bees, also of 
mice and other small animals, and will eat flesh and any carrion. It does not climb. 
The specimens from Suakin are the only ones known within our boundary.— 
W. E. DB W. 
