Ixvi MAMMALOGY OF THE HIMALAYAS. 
similarly protected by the inhabitants.* The Mustela lanigera of Mr. Hodgson resembles the 
common Weasel of Europe, but differs in its spirally twisted hair; and the same gentleman mentioned 
another species so nearly approaching our common Pole-cat, that he is unable to perceive any specific 
difference ; however it will probably turn out to be distinct. Both these latter species abound in the 
northern and central regions. No fewer than seven species of Otters are said by Mr. Hodgson to inhabit 
the Himalayas; but they require to be carefully studied and compared, before we can venture to 
pronounce definitely upon their specific distinction. It is certain, indeed, that several species do actually 
exist in these Hills ; Mr. Hodgson has himself given brief characters of four which he regards as new,+ 
besides the two common species of the plains, (Lutrae Nair and Leptonyx), and seems to intimate that 
the seventh may be no more than a variety of the common European Otter.t The following is the 
substance of Mr. Hodgson’s observations in the letter already referred to, and I give them at length in 
the hope that they may induce other observers to co-operate with that gentleman in filling up the sketch 
of which he has given an outline. “Of Lutra we have seven species, five differing from the two 
usually found in the plains, as well as from all described species, except the common Otter (L. vulgaris), 
of which the largest Nepal species seems to be only a variety. It is five feet long, including the tail, and 
is the largest, though not the longest of our species. It is peculiar to the lower region, where also three 
other species inhabit: two more belong to the central, and one to the Kachar. One species is yellowish 
brown all over; the others brown, more or less dark, some having the chin and throat much paler than 
the rest of the body, and approaching nearly to white or yellow. They differ in length from five feet to 
one and a half feet ; some being quite vermiform, and others as bulky as the Badger. Detailed descrip- 
tions, skulls, and skins of these animals, are much want 
Of the genus Canis, different species are found everywhere. The common Pariah Dog is universally 
dispersed through the mountains, but the Thibet Mastiff is confined to the Kachar, into which it is 
imported from its native country. There are many distinct varieties of this noble animal. That called 
Sassa, a large black kind, with dew claws on the hind feet, is esteemed the finest: another called 
Mustang is of a bright red colour. The common ‘Wild Dog, called simply Janglee Coota in the 
Plains and Buansu in Nepal (Canis Duckunensis of Sykes, and C. primeevas of Hodgson) is only 
found in the lower regions, but is replaced farther up by two other wild species, likewise called Jwnglee 
Coota by English sportsmen. Lieut. Smith informs me that one of these is larger and the other smaller 
than the Junglee Coota of the Plains, from which they both differ in having shorter tails and a lighter 
or more ashy colour: both species ascend the Hills even to the snow line; they hunt in packs, and 
inhabit ravines and rocky dells ; but, being excessively shy, are not very often seen. The Junglee Coota 
of the Plains, in other respects, does not appear to me to differ from the Canis Sumatrensis of Genera 
Hardwicke. The Kokree, or small Indian fox (Canis Corsac, Indicus, Bengalensis, Kokree, &c.); and 
the Berria, or Wolf of India (Canis pallipes, Sykes), never ascend the Hills. The Jackal (Canis aureus), 
: is however occasionally said to be found in the central regions; but the higher mountains are inhabited 
_ bya very beautiful species of Fox, which Dr. Royle first noticed as the Hill Fox,§ and of which he 
brought home the first skin ever seen in England, and which was described at the time in the present 
a memoir, and afterwards in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, Part iv. p: 103, by the name 
oo : eur — Mr. Pearson, then Curator of the Museum of the Asiatic Society at Calcutta, 
= kewise escrib it about the same time as the latter;|] and as he had a few months priority in point 
of publ ication, his: name of Canis montana must have the preference. 
The Hyena of India — virgata), a native of the Plains, sometimes ascends even to Simla. 
RODENTIA 
* Asiat. Res., xvii. 16. + Journ, As, Soc., viii, 319. 
§ Journ. As, Soc. 71, p. 99, 1832, 
¢ Letter to Zool. Soc. 
| Journ, As, Soc., vy. 113, 
