TUE ZOOLOGY OF BEITISK INDIA. 



are at present iu such a state of confusion both as regards genera 

 and species — that we shall content ourselves by merely stating that 

 Mr. Blyth records the existence of three i'rugivorous* Bats in 

 Continental India, and enumerates the names of about thirty-ii\'e 

 others belonging to the Insectivorous families of the group. 



Of the Carnivora of India, although many of the genera are still 

 in a stat€ of confusion, almost rivalling that of the Bats, and little 

 creditable to Naturalists, we can speak rather more at length. The 

 Indian Canidae consist, according to Mr. Blyth's catalogue, of the 

 Cuon rutilans~t\iQ " Dhob" or "Wild Dog," as it is commonly 

 called, the Canis palUpes, or Indian "Wolf, the Jackal {C. aiu^eus) and 

 a fox, Vuljyes hengalerisis. Four other species of the latter genus are 

 also recorded as inhabiting the Subhimalayan and north-western 

 districts, but some of these require further examination. One species 

 only of Hyena is found in India — namely, the widely diffused 

 jH". striata^ which appears to have diffused itself from the true focus 

 of this group in Africa throughout South-western Asia, and though 

 not general in Lower Bengal, to extend its wanderings occasionally 

 even to the gates of Calcutta. The more typical Viverridse of India 

 consist of the Viverra zibetlia, or Indian Civet — still kept in cages in 

 many parts of the country for the supply of the drug whence it 

 obtains its name — as is likewise the Basse Viverricula malaccensis, a 

 smaller animal of the same type, and several species of Paradoxurus. 

 In the same group, Mr. Blyth arranges the Subhimalayan repre- 

 sentative of the genus Prionodon ; a small, but very bold and 

 rapacious quadruped resembling Herpestes and Viverra in many 

 particulars, but in its "short close fur and other characters showing an 

 affinity to the true Telidge. The very singular Binturong {Artictis) 

 likewise ranges from Sumatra along the hills of the Indian penin- 

 sula into Assam, and even as far north as ISTepal, according to 

 Mr. Blyth, while some seven species of Herpestes complete the list 

 of Indian Viverridse. The typical TelidaB which follow next in 

 IMr. Blyth's catalogue are well represented in British India, at least 

 10 or 11 species of Felis beiug more or less common in various parts 

 of the country — amongst which are the largest and finest forms of 

 the genus, such as the Lion, now nearly extinct except in the 



"^^ Pteropus meilitis, Tcmm. (generally called erroneously P, edwardsU) Pt. 

 Icschcnaultii and Cynoptcnis murgiiinti'S. 



