OCR Text |
Show 1882.] AFRICAN MUNGOOSES. 69 *Herpestes badius, Smith, 111. Afr. Zool. pt. ii. pl. iv. (1838). *H. granti, Gray, P. Z. S. 1864, p. 561 (1864). *Calogale venatica, Gray, t. cit. p. 563 (1864). Hab. South-African subregion, and northwards to Zanzibar. d. Variety ochraceus. *H. ochraceus, Gray, P.Z. S. 1848, p. 138, pl. viii. (1848). Galerella ochraceo, Gray, P. Z.S. 1864, p. 564 (1864). Hab. Abyssinia. Specific Characters.-Size small, form slender ; tail slightly shorter than the head and body. Fur of medium length, not longer either at the base or tip of the tail; colour very variable, sandy, rufous, or dark grey-brown. Tip of tail always deep shining black, the black part varying from 1 to 4 inches in length. Underside of tarsus naked. Skull like that of a miniature II. ichneumon ; the teeth similarly slender and sharp. Last molar about half the length of the 4th premolar (46 to 59 per cent.). Varietal Characters. Typical variety.-General colour above and below dark brownish grey, with or without black annulations ; the tips of the hairs often with a distinct ruddy tinge. In unannulated specimens the black tail-tip not so sharply separated from the rest of the tail. Var. melanurus.-General colour above and below dark rufous, distinctly annulated with black. Fur short and crisp. Var. badius.-Bright rufous, sometimes annulated with black. Fur rather long and soft. Var. ochraceus.--Light sandy yellow, annulated, in the only known specimen, with black. Dimensions. Head Typical variety. and body. Tail. Hind foot, a. Abyssinia (Riippell) 14*5 12*0 2*5 b. Natal (Type of punctulatus).... 12'5 11*5 2*3 Var. melanurus. c. Sierra Leone 13*0 11*0 2*3 Var. badius. d. S. Africa (type) 12*8 11*0 2*0 e. Cape 12*0 10*7 1*9 Var. ochraceus. f. Abyssinia (type), imm 10*0 9'8 1*9 |