xii MAMMALOGY OF THE HIMALAYAS. 
interesting to find the common forms of Europe and Northern Asia occurring in the analogous climates 
of the Himalayas. No fewer than three distinct species of Hedgehogs, for instance, have been described 
from the Western Hills: 
Erinaceus spatangus, a small dark-coloured species, not more than twice the size of a large mouse ; 
Erinaceus Grayjii, of a grizzled black and yellow, from the spines being annulated with these 
two colours, rather smaller than the common European species ; and 
Erinaceus collaris, by some supposed to be identical with EF. Grayii, but easily distinguished by a 
white collar half surrounding the neck. All these species, however, require a careful revision; they 
are founded on single specimens, those of the two former deposited in the Zoological Society’s Collec- 
tion, that of the last in the British Museum, and of which a figure is published in the Indian Zoology 
of Messrs. Hardwick and Gray. It is possible that more extensive and accurate observation may prove 
the whole three to be identical: at all events, it is certain that one, either of these, or a different species 
(Erinaceus indicus of Royle’s Illustrations, &c. p. 6), inhabits the neighbourhood of Delhi, where it 
would be interesting to observe the phenomena attending its hibernation, such as the temperature of its 
body, the nature of its respiration, &c. during the period of repose. Mr. Hodgson, in the letter to the 
Zoological Society, already referred to, denies that there are any Hedgehogs in Nepal, but mentions 
a small dull slaty-blue variety of the common Indian Shrew or Musk Rat (Sorex indicus), as common 
in the lower and central regions, to which he speaks of it as being confined. Other species no doubt 
exist in the more temperate parts of the mountains, though their small size and shy habits screen them 
from observation. ‘The same gentleman mentions the Mole (Talpa), as abounding in the Kachar, or 
northern region of Nepal, and Traill* says it is common in Kemaon; but no one appears to have 
described, or even examined it, and we are ignorant of every thing relating to it, except the name. It 
will probably prove to be a distinct species from its European congener, if it exist at all; but the question 
is involved in great doubt, and is well worthy of a careful examination. 
CARNIVORA PLANTIGRADA. 
_ Of this family, the majority of which likewise belong to the temperate regions of the earth, various 
forms and species occur among the Himalayas. First, of the genus Ursus, we have the Bhaloo, or 
Common Bear of India (Ursus labiatus), and, according to Mr. Hodgson,+ the Malay Bear (Ursus 
Malayanus), inhabiting the Turai, or sultry regions, at the base of the mountains, to which localities 
he appears to intimate that they are confined. But the habitat here assigned to the Malay Bear is 
| extremely doubtful. It rests solely on the authority of Mr. Hodgson, who, from the want of proper 
_ means of comparison, is often mistaken in the identification of species; moreover, we have never 
_ received this animal from any part of Continental India, but only from the great islands of the Indian 
Archipelago ; and it is therefore not improbable that it may have been in this instance confounded with 
— the Ursus Thibetanus, which, from the general similarity of the two species, may have readily hap- 
_ pened. Mr. Hodgson, indeed, expressly mentions this latter species as an inhabitant of the Central 
. and Northern regions of Nepal; and Dr. Royle informs me, that it is confined among the more 
- western hills, to the Doon and warm valleys, where it is called Reech by the natives. Lieut. T. Smith, 
. of the 15th: regi rim N.1., however, an officer well acquainted with the Mammals of the Himalayas, 
anda keen s sportsman, assures me that the Common Sloth Bear (Ursus labiatus) does not ascend above 
~ the: nies pea IPA ead Mountain Chain of Northern India; that it is there replaced by the Reech 
or Reek, which occupies the whole of the more elevated hills, as far up as the snow line, where it is 
wancceded 2 in its turn Ru the wn or Yellow Bear (Ursus isabellinus), a species hitherto very imper- 
fectly 
* Asa Revers, vl x 153, | __ t Proc. Zool. Soe Soe., i. 96. 
