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Show 1882.] AFRICAN MUNGOOSES. 79 II. HELOGALE. rji Helogale, Gray, P. Z. S. 1861, p. 308 H. parvula. Range. Mozambique to Natal. Toes 5 - 5 . Teeth, I. | C. j, P.M. -f. M . f x 2 = 3 6 . Outlines of skull more rounded than in Herpestes, even in old specimens. Underside of tarsus naked. Tail shorter than the body. Other characters as in Herpestes. This genus was separated from the true Mungooses by Dr. Gray on account of the presence of only three premolars in each jaw, instead of four as normally possessed by Herpestes. It is true that in that genus, as mentioned above, the first small premolar is frequently absent; but in these cases there is always a vacant space where the tooth usually stands; while in Helogale the tooth which corresponds to the second premolar stands quite close to the canine, leaving no diastema whatever. In addition to this character, the general shape of the skull is quite different from that of Herpestes, being shorter, broader in proportion, the walls of the brain-case thinner, and all the surfaces much smoother, with less well-marked muscular ridges. The figures of the skull quoted in the synonymy below show the difference in general appearence very well. The form of the teeth is, as Prof. Peters remarks, very similar to that found in " Herpestes fasciatus," which likeness extends to the other species of Crossarchus: but the two genera may of course be readily distinguished by the different shape of the skull, and by the presence in Helogale of the distinct naked line from the nose to the upper lip already referred to. The skulls and dentition of the two species of this genus seem to be very much alike, though there is a slight difference in the size of the last molars. 1. HELOGALE PARVULA. * Herpestes parvulus, Sundev. (Efv. af Kongl. Vet. Ak. Fbrhandl. 1846, p. 121. Helogale parvula, Gray, P. Z. S. 1861, p. 308 (woodcuts of skull). Hab. Natal (Wahlberg). Size small, form slender; tail rather shorter than the body without the head. General colour above and below dark finely grizzled grey-brown, the hairs annulated with black or brown and yellowish white. Feet and tail like body but rather darker. No trace of rufous on any part of the body. Last molar proportionally somewhat larger than in H. undulata. Dental percentage 79-80. Dimensions. Head and body. Tail. Hind foot. a. Natal (one of the types) 9*5 5*5 L5 I. ,, (Warwick) 8*3 4*6 - |