LUTRA. 181 



xvi, p. 763, pi. xxix). The species is, however, a typical Meles, 

 not a Taxidea, and very closely allied to the European M. taxus, 

 of which it may prove only a variety. It is grey above, the hair 

 long and grizzled, being white at the 'base, black near the end, and 

 white again at the tips. Lower parts and limbs- dusky or black, 

 and a blackish line from the upper lip over the eye. Head and 

 body 27 inches, tail 7, and with hair 10. Skull of a female 4-2 

 inches long from foramen, 2-65 broad across zygomata. 



The other recorded species from Tibet, M. albogularis, Blyth, is 

 probably an Arctonyx. Meles taxus or an allied form may perhaps 

 occur in Southern Afghanistan and Baluchistan. 



Subfamily LUTRIN^. 



The otters form the last subdivision of the Mustelidce, and are a 

 well-marked group in which the general musteline type is pro- 

 foundly modified and the animal adapted for swimming. The feet 

 are strong, short, and rounded, and the toes webbed. The body is 

 very long. The tail is of considerable length, thick at the base, and 

 in general flattened. The head is broad ai:d depressed. The upper 

 posterior molars are large and subquadrate. 



Three fossil species of otter have been detected in the Siwalik 

 beds of the Punjab : two of these, L. palceindica and L. bathygnathus, 

 were not larger than living species ; whilst the third, L. sivalensis, 

 was the size of a leopard, and had a very different upper sectorial 

 tooth. It was distinguished by Falconer as Enhydriodon. 



Genus LUTRA, Erxleben (1777). 

 Syn. Aonyx, Lesson ; Barangia &c. ; Gray. 



The feet are in general completely webbed. Soles of the feet 

 naked, the naked sole of the hind foot not extending to the heel. 

 Head long and flat. Ears small. Fur close and short, with woolly 

 underfur. 



Skull broad and depressed, with the brain-case large, the facial 

 portion in front of the orbits very short, the frontal region between 

 the orbits and the brain-case long. 



Vertebra) : C. 7, D. 14-15, L. 6-5, S. 3, C. 20-26. 



Dentition : i. gj, c. {=j, pin. |=|, m. g. Anterior upper pre- 

 molar very small, situated quite inside the canine. Upper sectorial 

 with a trenchant tricuspid blade and a very large inner lobe, having 

 a raised sharp edge and a deep hollow between the edge and the 

 main blade of the tooth. True molar large, subrectangular broader 

 than long. 



All otters are very much alike externally, and the determination 

 of the species is consequently in some cases difficult ; but the various 



