k 



Zoological Society. 151 



Mr. Hodgson then enumerates the Mammalia which have heen 

 observed in Nepal, adopting in their arrangement the system of 

 Cuvier, and noticing as regards each the region in which it occurs. 

 He adds occasional remarks as to their habits ; and notices many 

 which appear to him to be undescribed. An abstract of this portion 

 of his communication is given in the " Proceedings;" from which 

 the following are extracts. 



Felis Moormensis, Hodgs., belong to the central region; as does 

 also an undescribed and beautifully marked species. 



Felis viverrinus, Benn., is confined to the Tarai. 



Lutra, Linn. Of this genus Mr. Hodgson conceives that no less 

 than seven species are found in Nepali, five of which differ from the 

 two which inhabit the plains of Hindoostan. Four of these he re- 

 gards as new, diflTering materially in length, in bulk and propor- 

 tions, and in colour ; one of them is yellowish white all over ; the 

 rest are brown, more or less dark, some having the chin and throat 

 or under surface paled nearly to white or yellow. 



Canisfamiliaris, Linn. The Pan«^ is the only Do^ of the lower 

 and central regions. ^Phe Thibetan Mastiff is limited to the Kachar, 

 into which it was introduced from its native country, but in which 

 it degenerates rapidly ; there are several varieties of it. 



Canis primcevus, Hodgs. 



Elephas Indicus, Cuv., 



Rhinoceros unicornis, Cuv., are both abundant in the forest and 

 hills of the lower region, whence in the rainy season they issue 

 into the cultivated parts of the Tarzii to feed upon the rice crops. 



Mr. Hodgson suggests that there are two varieties, or perhaps 

 rather species, of the Indian Elephant, the Ceylonese and that of 

 the Saul forest. ITie Ceylonese has a smaller lighter head, which 

 is carried more elevated; it has also higher fore -quarters. The 

 Elephant of the Saul forest has sometimes five nails on its hinder 

 feet. 



The Rhinoceros goes with young from seventeen to eighteen 

 months, and produces one at a birth. At birth it measures 3 feet 4 

 inches in length, and 2 feet in height. An individual born at Kat- 

 mandoo eight years since measures now 9 feet 3 inches in length ; 

 4 feet 10 inches in height at the shoulders ; the utmost girth of his 

 body is 10 feet 5 inches ; the length of the head, 2 feet 4 inches ; 

 of the horn, 5 inches : he is evidently far from being adult. It is 

 believed that the animal lives for one hundred years ; one, taken 

 mature, was kept at Katmandoo for thirty-five years without exhibit- 

 ing any symptoms of approaching decline. The young continues to 

 suck for nearly two years. It has when born and for a month after- 

 wards a pink suffusion over the dark colour proper to the mature hide. 



Mr. Hodgson states that the wool of the Huniah or Bhotean do- 

 mesticated Sheep is superb ; and suggests that attempts should be 

 made to naturalize the race in England. To such attempts he is 

 willing to render every assistance in his power. It is suited only 

 for the northern region of Nepdl, suffering much from the heat of 

 the central district. 



