316 On a new Species of Wild Dog from Demerara. 



specimens. In the type of P. Grayii, upon which the genus 

 Charon is founded, there is only one posterior tibial joint ; so 

 that, if a species with three joints does exist, the genus must 

 fall, as not being founded upon the species to which it is 

 ascribed. 



XXXVI. — Description of a new Species of Wild Dog from 

 Demerara. By Dr. Albert Gunther, Keeper of the 

 Zoological Department, British Museum. 



At the beginning of the present year I received from the 

 Ilev. W. Y. Turner a living example of a dog from Demerara 

 which was evidently distinct from all the other species de- 

 scribed from South America. My esteemed correspondent in- 

 formed me that the animal must be very rare, as but few 

 of the people in his neighbourhood knew it. It had been 

 brought up in captivity, was perfectly domesticated, and 

 allowed to run about the house like a domestic dog. During 

 its journey to England it lost some of its tameness ; but soon 

 became accustomed to its new home, which it never left of 

 its own accord. It was very playful, especially towards even- 

 ing, but slept during the night. It never barked or wagged 

 its tail, but uttered a short sharp cry when left by itself, or a 

 hiss when an attempt was made to take its food. During my 

 temporary absence from London it was found necessary to 

 confine it in a cage — a change which it survived for a few 

 weeks only. 



This species is allied to Ganis vetulus, from which it differs 

 by having longer legs, a less bushy tail, and a much darker 

 coloration. 



Body slender, with long legs and tail, pointed snout, and 

 rather long ears. Fur harsh, brownish grey, the long hairs 

 on the back being black, those on the side whitish ; snout 

 coloured very much like the body. Head without conspicuous 

 markings ; chin and anterior portion of the throat black ; 

 posterior part of the throat, abdomen, and inner side of the 

 thighs dirty whitish. Legs and tail of the same greyish 

 colour as the sides of the body ; sole of the fore foot, hinder 

 side of the hind foot, and terminal fourth of the tail black. 



in. lin. 



Total length 38 6 



Length of the head 5 9 



Distance of the eye from the nose 2 6 



Length of the ear 3 



Distance of the ear from the tail 21 



Length of the tail 12 6 



