Mr. B. II . Hodgson on Four new Species of Otter. 27 



in other Carnivora there is always a slight trace of this process, but 

 in none does it inclose the condyles, as in most of the Mustelidce. 



The genera contained in this family are Mustela, Zorilla, Galictis, 

 Bell (which must not be confounded with the Galictis of Is. Geoifroy 

 St. Hilaire, published in the * Comptes Ilendus' for October 1837, 

 p. 581.), Mellivora, Ursitaxus, Helictis and Gttlo, in which the true 

 molar of the upper jaw is transverse ; Lutra and Jlephitis, in which 

 this tooth approaches more or less to a square form ; Taxidea, in 

 which it is triangular ; and lastly, Metes, Arctonyx and Mydaus, in 

 which the true molar is longer than broad. This last-mentioned ge- 

 nus evinces an approach to the order Insectivora. 



In the Ursidce there are two well-developed true molars on either 

 side of each jaw : the ' carnassiere' here has changed its function, not 

 being suited, as in other Carnivora, to cutting flesh. The palate is 

 considerably elongated. In the Bears ( Ursus and its subgenera) it 

 is small, being robbed as it were of its nutriment by the true molars » 

 which are very large. In the other Ursidce (Procyon, JYasua, Cer- 

 coteptes, Arctictis and Aiturus,) the ' carnassiere,' especially that of 

 the upper jaw, and the true molars, are nearly equal in size, and also 

 nearly resemble each other in other respects*. 



In the true Bears the form of the lower jaw differs from that of 

 any of the preceding Carnivora in having a projecting process on 

 the under side of the ramus, and situated a little in advance of the 

 angle of the jaw. The same character is also found in many Seals 

 {Phocidce), which in several other respects appear to approach the 

 Bears. 



VII. — Summary Description of Four new Species of Otter. By 

 B. H. Hodgson, Esq., Resident at Catmandu, Nepalf* 



One of the most remarkable features of the mammalogy of Nepal 

 is the great number of distinct species of Otter characterizing it. 

 There are at least seven species, I believe, though not one of them 

 is numerous in individuals, at least not in comparison of the common 

 Otter of commerce, which is produced in the neighbourhood of Dacca 

 and Sylhet. This rarity of species, added to the circumstance of 

 the animals not being regularly hunted for their skins, renders it 

 very difficult to procure live specimens ; and without live specimens 



* " From an examination of the external characters of Bassaris astula, 

 it appears to me that it belongs to this group.'' 

 t From the Asiatic Journal, No. 88, p. 310. 



