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Show 662 MR. F. E. BEDDARD ON BASSARICYON ALLENI. [June 19, appeared to be an instance of the phenomenon known as mimicry. It seems to be more likely due to nearness of relationship, combined with a similar mode of life. Besides the external characters, Mr. Thomas described and figured the skull of the animal; I shall return to his descriptions later. The genus Bassaricyon was first made known by Mr. Allen, who figured the skull of B. gabbi l. This species has been lately re-investigated by M. Huet2, who figured the external characters as well as the skull; the latter was naturally especially compared with that of the Kinkajou. I am not myself acquainted with the skin of this species ; but if M . Huet's figure really represents the appearance of Bassaricyon gabbi, then that species is very different indeed from Bassaricyon alleni, and not in the least like Cercoleptes. The skulls of two individuals are figured, the one being that of a young animal, the other of an older specimen. In the Proceedings of this Society for 1885, Dr. Mivart summed up w hat was known about the animal at that date3. Dr. Mivart pointed out that " the skull is more like that of Procyon and Nasua than of Bassaris." An important point ascertained by the same author was that " a cast of the inside of the skull shows that the brain possesses an Ursine lozenge."* This point alone would serve to refer the animal without any doubt to the Arctoid division of existing Carnivora, a conclusion to which other anatomical facts lead. It will be seen later that I am able to confirm this statement by an examination of tbe actual brain. External Characters. I have made the following measurements of the animal, after preservation in spirit. Extreme length of body (measured along the curve of the back) from snout to root of tail 17 inches. Length of tail5 10± „ Length of fore limb 6i Length of hind limb 9 Length of ear ]i As to the colour of the fur I have nothing to add to Mr. Thomas's remarks, except to say that the specimen studied by myself was darker. I agree with him that the tail offers no evidence of being prehensile. 1 Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1876, p. 21, pi. i.; andBull. U.S. GeoL Survey, v. p. 169. 2 " Note sur les Oarnassiers du genre Bassaricyon," Nouv Arch Mus Paris (2) v. p. 1. 3 " O n the Anatomy &c. of the Arctoidea," P. Z. S. 1885, p. 363. 4 " Notes on the Cerebral Convolutions of the Carnivora," Journ. Linn Soc Zool. xix. p. 13. "' The tail was defective; I consider that about one inch is missing. s |