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Show 98 DR. ST. G. MIVART O N [Mar. 18, Mr. Sclater exhibited on behalf of Mr. Robert B. White, C.M.skins belonging to four species of Mammals obtained by Mr. White at an elevation of from 5000 to 7000 feet on the mountains of the Upper Magdalena valley, in the department of Tohma, U. b. ot Colombia. . , Mr. Oldfield Thomas had kindly referred these specimens to the following species:- 1. Cebusfatuellus. Native name, " Mico Maizero." 2. Lagothrix humboldti. Native name, " Churuco." 3. Nyctipithecus vociferans. Native name, " Dormilon " or " Putamono." 4. Galictis barbara. Native name, " Zorro " or " Ulauca." The following papers were read:- 1. Notes on the South-American Canida?. By ST. G. MIVART, F.R.S. [Received February 24, 1890.] Some of the South-American Canida present as yet rather trying difficulties to the systematic zoologist. My object in the present paper is to endeavour to make a small contribution towards clearing up existing difficulties of classification and synonymy. My hope is that this attempt may at least, by criticism and collecting together references to the literature of the subject, facilitate a future complete rectification. What, however, is greatly to be desired is the acquisition of a large number of skins with skulls in them, the sexes being ascertained, and both the localities where and the season of the year when the individuals were obtained being carefully noted in each case. No naturalist who has worked at either the skins or the skulls of the Dog family can have failed to be struck with their great variability. This fact was strongly expressed by Professor Huxley in his paper (P. Z. S. 1880), both with regard to the form of the skull and the proportions of the teeth. Quite recently Dr. Windle, after making most elaborate measurements and comparisons of different breeds of domestic dogs, has told us " the variation in any breed is much greater, in almost every case, than that existing between any two breeds." Some studies recently undertaken by me at the British Museum (for much kind aid during which I have to express my thanks to |
