THE ZOOLOGY OP BRITISH INDIA. 7 



and a single species of Whalebone whale of the genus BalfEnoptera^^ 

 which occasionally even enters the Persian gulf. Not the least 

 remarkable of these is the freshwater Dolphin, Flatanista gangelica, 

 which is only found in the fresh waters of the Ganges and neigh- 

 bouring rivers. It is said to be common in the Brahmaputra in the 

 valley of Assam, and to ascend that stream probably up to the foot of 

 the mountains. In the Indus and its tributaries this Dolphin appears 

 to be replaced by an allied, but distinct species, recently described by 

 Mr. Blyth as Flatanista indi,\ of which, we believe, no specimens 

 have yet reached this country. 



Mr. Blyth now enters upon the most formidable order of 

 Mammals, as regards their classification, both from their varying forms 

 and from the numbers of the species. The Order Eodentia in India as 

 elsewhere in the world (except always those lands of exceptions, 

 Australia and Madagascar) comprises a greater number of specific 

 forms than any other of the great divisions of the Mammalia. The 

 Squirrels, Sciuridce, of which we have only one species in this 

 country, are very numerous in the extensive forests of India, both in 

 those of high and of low elevation. Many of the former pass into 

 well-marked geographical varieties in difierent regions, and have 

 been distinguished as species by Mr. Blyth, who has devoted much 

 attention to tiiis group of Mammals. Of the Flying Squirrels 

 {Fteromijs and Sciuropterus) our catalogue enumerates some thirteen 

 Indian species, and of true Sciuri about fifteen, besides many others 

 of the adjoining Malayan provinces and great Asiatic Islands, 

 The Myoxidse or Dormice on the other hand, a group, it is true, not 

 very numerous in species, have only one representative in India. 

 This is a singular and very little known form, allied to the African 

 GrapMicri, but with sharp flat spines on the back. It is only found 

 on the Malabar coast, and was described by Mr. Blyth a few years 

 ago as Flatacantliomys lasiurics.X The Spalacidae in like manner have 

 but one or perhaps two representatives within the area of India 

 proper, in the shape of the Bamboo-rats of the genus Bhizomysj 

 of which one species occurs in the north-eastern parts of the 

 country. The Muridae or true Mice are numerous. Mr. Blyth's 



* B. indica, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxviii. 488. 



t Ibid. p. 493. X J. A. S. B. xxviii. p. 288. 



