252 ORDER V. 



paler; tail darkening to blackish, in length only 

 half the body. 



In this division also occur L. Calif or nica, L. Chi- 

 nensis, and L. Barang. 



It is here likewise that several of the seven species, 

 noticed by Mr. Hodgson in Nepaul, will most likely 

 be located, there being at present no further infor- 

 mation that we have seen concerning them, than 

 that they vary materially in length, bulk, and pro- 

 portions, and in colour, one being yellowish-white 

 all over, and the rest brown; and some with the 

 chin and throat, or under surface, pallid or whitish- 

 yellow. 



*** Soles of the feet covered with hair. Lutra 

 latrix. . 



b, Without mufle. 



Lutra Braziliensis. Brazilian Otter. Body 

 and neck long ; head comparatively small ; tail com- 

 pressed near the tip. The specimen we measured 

 was 5 feet 3 inches in length, entirely of a rich 

 brown ; this was one of those which frequent the 

 sea coasts, and, we believe, to have been observed 

 near Honduras ; it is said to extend into the Florid as 

 and up the Mississippi. But the species described 

 by Azara, we doubt, is distinct, having more or less 

 white about the head and under surface of the body ; 

 smaller dimensions; habits occasionally of wandering 

 on land, and on the rivers and lakes, forming so- 

 cieties of many together, fishing with a common 

 purpose, c. We doubt even whether the absence 



