H EiR P B ST-X Ei 3 ; "B-A P TTT S . _ Plate- 4)
H E R P E S T E S BADIUS.—S m i t h .
M am m a lia.— P la t e IV. ( F em a l e .)
H. badius, subtus pallidior, ad fulvum transiens, dorsi, caudasque pilis sordide flavo et nigro-annulatis;
caudse apice nigro; oculis rubris.
Longitudo corporis cum capite 12 unc., caudce 12 unc. 4 lin.
I chneumon R atlamuchi, App. to Rep. of Exped. page 42, June 1836.
C o lo u r .— Above bright bay, beneath lighter, inclined to fulvous; extremity
of the tail shining black. On the head, upper part of the neck, and limbs and
tail, the colour is darkest; on the back and upper part of the sides it is
slightly variegated by a fine pencilling of dull yellow and black; each, or at
least most of the hairs being annulated with these two colours in addition to
the bay which is the prevailing tint. Towards the root of the tail the hairs
are marked after the same fashion, only the q uantity of brown is greater;
whiskers black. Ears coloured like the body; eyes red; nails a dark
horn colour.
F orm , &c .j—Figure very slender; head short, broad between the ears and
slender towards the muzzle; ears very short; legs of moderate length; nails
nearly straight. The hair is slightly rigid; on the head it is short, on the
body considerably longer, and on the posterior portion of the back, outer
surface of the thighs and the tail it is longest, on some places measuring fully
three inches. On the tail it is laid close, so that though long, this part of the
animal is nevertheless moderately slender. On the ears the hair is very short,
and on their posterior surfaces is almost wanting.
DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length from the tip of the nose to the
root of the t a i l .................... 12 0
of the ta il........... ........... 12 4
Height at the shoulder ........................ 4 2
Inches. Lines.
Distance between the point of the nose
and the eye ........................ 0 10
between the eye and the upper
extremity of the ear........... 0 10