Liberia ^ 



The Clawless Otter {Lutra or Aonyx capensis) is found in 

 Liberia as well as in most of the rivers of South and West 

 Africa. It is a much larger animal than the European otter, 

 or than the spotted-necked otter, which is the other kind found 

 in Liberia. This type of otter (the sub-genus also exists 

 throughout Tropical Asia) is noteworthy from the almost 

 complete absence of claws on its feet. There is scarcely a 

 trace of the claws on the fingers of the fore-feet ; but on 

 the toes of the hind-feet there are rudiments of claws on 

 the middle toes, and small pits or depressions on the outer 

 toes. These pits may also be distinguished on the fingers 

 of the fore-feet. The colour of the shining fur is uniform 

 brown. Lutra maculicollis (the spotted-necked otter), which 

 ranges in its distribution nearly all over Tropical Africa, is 

 about the size of the European otter. Its throat is whitish 

 yellow, the upper parts of the body being a dark glossy brown. 

 The edges of this white patch are very jagged, so as to give 

 it the appearance of detached white spots on the neck, whence 

 its name. These yellowish white spots and patches occur on 

 the chest and belly as well. 



The hoofed mammals of Liberia include several peculiar 

 or interesting types. There is perhaps only one species of Tree 

 Hyrax {^Procavia dorsalis)} Some ten members out of fifteen 

 of this genus ^ are really tree-dwelling mammals, about the size 

 of a rabbit. For a long time the best-known species were 



' Biittikofer distinguishes two species, Procavia dorsalis and P. stampflii; 

 the last-named form was apparently described from a single specimen collected 

 by Stampfli, Biittikofer's companion. Its specific distinction from P. dorsalis has 

 not yet been admitted. 



' Hyrax was in general use as the Latin name of this genus, but has been 

 displaced lately in favour of Procavia. An attempt has been made to provide 

 an Englisli name for these animals by adopting the Cape Dutch term, "dassy" 

 (which really means badger) ; but it seems to the present writer more convenient 

 to retain the familiar name " hyrax " as the vernacular title. Many zoologists retain 



708 



