154 PINNIGRADA. 



Tibet or Sikim, but has given no description. Vtilpes Jlavescens, Gray 

 ( V. montanus apud Hodgson, olim, and Horsfield), is a liandsome fox 

 from Tibet, of a peculiarly bright light yellowish-fulvous colour 

 throughout, with black ears and a supei'b brush. It is about the size of 

 the English fox, but has the fur finer, longer, and denser. It has not 

 I believe occurred on this side of the Himalayas. It is said to be 

 common at Lhassa. Blyth has another species from Afghanistan, 

 formerly referred by him to V. Jlavescens, which he now names V. 

 Griffithii, Cat. 134. Beside the weU-known English fox, Vtdpes fulvus, 

 there are others in Europe, the V. melanogaster, and the Arctic or blue 

 fox, V. lagoints, so much esteemed for its fur. There are very many 

 other species generally diffused over both continents. 



The PiNNiGRADA, or A m2)hibia, comprising the Seals and allied animals, 

 are not represented in the Indian seas, being inhabitants of colder regions. 

 Their feet are short and completely enveloped in skin. They have a 

 lengthened body covered with short close fur, a very moveable spine, and 

 are able swimmers. They have no tubercular teeth, all being conic and 

 trenchant, and the true and false molars are alike. Their bones are light 

 and spongy. 



They are most abundant in the cold seas of the Arctic and Antarctic 

 regions. The Seals, of which there are several genera, constitute the 

 family Phocidce ; and the remarkable Walrus, or sea-horse, Trichecus 

 rosmarus, L., is the representative of another family, Trichecidce. Their 

 most natural position would, perhaps, have been following the Otters, 

 between them and the Felidce ; but in the present classification they are 

 followed naturally by the Cetaceans. 



