292 REVIEWS. 



obtained by M. Du Chaillu, is Dr. Gray's Presbytes albigena, described 

 and figured in the Zoological Society's " Proceedings"* for 1850, 

 from an example formerly living in the Society's Menagerie. The 

 typical specimen was, as far as we know, previously unique, and the 

 exact locality uncertain, so that in this, as in other cases, M. Du 

 Chaillu has done us good service in increasing our knowledge of pre- 

 viously known species of Mammalia, although he may not have been 

 so fortunate as to have discovered many new to science. Now that 

 its African habitat is fully established, a more accurate examination 

 will probably show the necessity of removing this Monkey from the 

 Asiatic group Presbytes, with which it has been hitherto arranged. 

 M. Du Chaillu has also described as new a Lemur from this country, 

 {Otolicnus apicalis) which will require further investigation. 



Among the Carnivora, the Leopard appears, according to M. Du 

 Chaillu's narrative, to be tolerably abundant in the Gaboon country. 

 "We observe also in his collection skins of a Jackal (Canis mesomelas?) 

 and several Genets (Genetta poensis and G. par din a), upon one of 

 which M. Du Chaillu has probably established his Genetta fieldiana. 

 There are likewise skins of an Otter (Lutra), and of a little Otter- 

 like animal, which we believe to be really new to science, and which 

 M. Du Chaillu has describedf as Cynogale velox, with the sub- 

 generic name Potamogale, attached in case of necessity. The skull 

 and teeth being absent, it is impossible to determine the true position 

 of this interesting Mammal in the natural series, without accurate 

 examination and comparison ; but, if M. Du Chaillu's account of its 

 habits and teeth are correct, he is perhaps not far out in his views as 

 to its natural affinities. 



He tells us (Proc. B. S. N. H. vii. p. 362) :— 



" This extraordinary animal is found in the mountains of the interior, or in the 

 hilly country explored by me north and south of the Equator. It is found along the 

 watercourses of limpid and clear streams, where fish are abundant; it hides under 

 rocks along these streams, lying in wait for fish. It swims through the water with a 

 rapidity which astonished me; before the fish has time to move, it is caught; on 

 account of the rapidity of its movements I have given it the specific name of velox. 

 The animal returns to land with its prey almost as rapidly as it started from its 

 place of concealment. The great motive power of the animal in the water seems to 

 be in its tail." 



"With regard to M. Du Chaillu's Antelopes, we cannot but agree 

 with Dr. Gray in recognising Mr. Ogilby's Antilope euryceros in the 

 Tragelaplius albo-viryatus, but M. Du Chaillu certainly has the merit 

 of having obtained the first tolerably perfect example of this animal. 

 Among the smaller species of this genus, we observe four species of 

 the genus Cephalophus, amongst which are C. sylvicultrix, badius, 

 Oyilbyii, and a fourth, very probably new. There are likewise skins of 

 the only representative of the Musks (lloschi) in the ^Ethiopian 

 Fauna — the Hyomosclius aquaticus. Can M. Du Chaillu give us any 

 information as to the reputed aquatic habits of this animal, for the 



* See P. Z. S. 1850, p. 77, pi. xvi. f Proc, B. S. N. H. vii. p. 361. 



