118 CATALOGUE. 



Aonyx Horsfieldii, Gray, Mag. Nat. Hist. 1836. 



Lutra Barang et Aonyx leptonyx, Cantor, Catal. Malay. 



Mamm. p. 25. 

 BARANG BARANG, or AMBRANG, of the natives of Sumatra, 



Raffles and Midler. 



ANJING AYER, Marsden Hist, of Sumatra. 

 WARGUL and WELINGSANG, of the Javanese, Horsfield. 

 SERO, of the Sundanese, Muller. 

 DENGEN, of the Bedadju-Dayaks of Borneo, Muller. 



HAB. Java, Horsfield. Sumatra, Marsden, Raffles, Java, 

 Sumatra, Borneo, Muller. 



A. Adult. B. C. Young. Horsfield's Collection from 

 Java. 



The genus Aonyx was established by Mons. R. P. Lesson in 1827, 

 on the Lutra inunguis, G. Cuv. (or Delalandi), found at the Cape of 

 Good Hope. (See Manuel de Mammalogie, p. 157.) 



In the form of the body and general exterior it agrees with the 

 genus Lutra, but the structure of the feet and toes affords an essential 

 character, separating it from the latter genus. In Aonyx the feet are 

 palmated ; the toes are united by a membrane, the third and fourth 

 exceed the others in length, and are more closely united ; they are 

 cylindrical, with a slight horizontal compression, somewhat incrassated, 

 blunt and rounded at the end ; the claws are very minute, not pro- 

 jecting, but imbedded in the last phalanx. This description applies to 

 the species from the continent of Asia and from the Indian Archipelago. 

 Mr. E. Blyth, in comparing the cleaned skulls of the Lutra Nair and 

 L. leptonyx, observed a difference indicating a peculiarity in the osteo- 

 logical structure respectively, which he details in the eleventh volume 

 of the Journ. As. Soc. Beng. p. 603, and which deserves attention in 

 determining the generic character of these two genera. 



The hairy covering of the head and body of the Adnyx leptonyx is 

 chestnut-brown, somewhat glossy, with a slight orange cast. The lips, 

 sides of the head, chin, throat, and anterior portion of the breast, are 

 yellowish white, the shade being deeper on the breast. 



In its habits the Javanese Otter resembles the European species. In 

 its adult state it is extremely ferocious ; but, taken young, it may easily 

 be domesticated. In general, the otters from the continent and islands 

 of Asia agree in their manners and peculiarities. They live on fish, and 

 are found near rivers and lakes. Dr. S. Muller informs us, that in the 



