CARNARIA. 89 



elongated muzzle), the canines placed further bacKwara, and the molars more shaqjly tuberculateu, 

 recalling to mind those of the Insectivora], feet, and colouring even of the Skunks, have the muzzle 

 truncated, so as to assume the form of a snout, and the tail reduced to a small pencil, [which, however, 

 is also held erect, as in the Badgers, &c.] Only one species is known, — 



Tlie Javanese Teledu {Mid. melaceps, F. Cuv.)— [Brownish] black, the nape of the neck, a stripe along the back, 

 and tail, white ; the dorsal stripe sometimes interrupted about the middle. [Fur soft and rather fine.] Its stench 

 is equally horrible with that of the Skunks, [and precisely similar, as I am informed by Dr. Horsfield, who has had 

 experience of both : it subsists principally on earth-worms, for which it turns up the light soil with its snout, in the 

 manner of a Hog ; is easily tamed, and by no means oflensive in captivity ; and it is especially remarkable for its 

 restriction to a particular elevation on the mountains of Java, below which it is never found. 



^Ye may here also introduce 



The Nyentek {Helictis, Gray; Meloyale, Is. Geof.), — 

 The body of which appears to be more lengthened and vermiform, and the tuberculous molar small 

 and transverse : it is described to have three false molars above, and four below ; the upper carnivorous 

 tooth three-lobed, with a broad two-pointed internal process : soles of the feet bare, and toes united. 



The Nyentek of the Javanese {Gulo orientalis, Horsf. ; H. moschatus. Gray.) — Size of a Polecat : brown, with a 

 \\hite stripe along the back, crossed by another less distinct over the shoulders, and a white spot on the head ; tail 

 of mean length. This animal inhabits eastern Asia, and smells strongly of musk : it is one of the few Mammalia 

 known in Europe to inhabit China, where the larger indigenous species are supposed to have been exterminated. ] 



The Otters {Lutra, StoiT) — 

 Have three false molars above and below, a strong process to the upper carnivorous tooth, an internal 

 tubercle to the lower one, and a large tuberculous grinder that is nearly as long as broad ; their head 

 is flattened, and the tongue rather rough. They are distinguished from all the preceding genera 

 by their [more completely] webbed toes, and horizontally flattened tail, — two characters which pro- 

 claim them to be aquatic animals : they subsist on fish. 



The European Otter (3/^M^ lutra, Lin.)— Brown above, whitish round the lips, on the cheeks, and the whole 

 under parts. The rivers of Europe [and sometimes the sea-coast. Is occasionally spotted above with white. The 

 species of this extensive genus, which is almost generally diffused, are mostly very similar externally, and are best 

 distinguished by the configuration of the cranium, &c.] That of India {L. nair, F. Cuv.) is employed for fishing, 

 as the Dog is for hunting. The Cape Otter (L. capensis, F. Cuv.) is remarkable (at least at a particular age) for 

 having no nails ; a character on which M. Lesson has founded his genus Aony.v : young individuals, however, have 

 been received from the Cape, which possess nails ; and it remains to ascertain whether they are of the same species. 

 The American Otter (M. brazUiensis), from the rivers of both Americas, has the extremity of the muzzle, which in 

 most other animals is naked, covered with close fur: [it is also very gregarious in its habits. But the most remark- 

 able species is the great Sea Otter (Musfela lutris, Lin., composing the division Enhydra of Fleming. It is 

 twice the size of the European species, from which it differs in the form of its hind feet, which have the 

 outermost toe longest. The adults have but four lower incisors, the exterior pair being doubtless forced 

 out by the canines.] Its blackish velvet-looking fur is extremely valuable, to obtain which the English and 

 Russians hunt the animal throughout the northern shores of the Pacific Ocean, for the purpose of disposing of it 

 to the Chinese and Japanese. [A species intermediate to the Sea Otter and the others constitutes the Ptero- 

 nura, Gray. M. Temminck has received a new genus allied to the Otters, which he names Potamophilus. 



We here arrive at the termination of an extensive and very distinct natural group, which 

 falls under two principal subdivisions, the limits of which, however, are not easy to define. 



Tlie first consists of exclusively ground animals, with a thick and heavy body, stout limbs, 

 and strong claws adapted for burrowing with rapidity. It comprises the Badgers, Teledu, 

 Skunks, Taxels, Bharsiah, and Ratel ; nearly all of which ordinarily erect the tail, and are 

 more or less striped longitudinally. 



The remainder are vermiform and agile, and most of them ascend trees witli facility : they 

 are also more predatory, though some of the former (as the Ratel) possess an equally carni- 

 vorous dentition : many are marked similarly to the preceding. 



The Zorilles might almost be referred to either section; but we prefer retaining them near 

 the Weasels.] 



The second subdivision of the Digitiguada [I)eing tlie first, strictly so named,] possesses 

 [like the Ursidte] two flat tubcrculated molars posterior to the u})per carnivorous tooth*, 



* There arc three tuberculous molnrs to each jaw in the Canii {Megalotit) Lulaiidi, i>nd De Ulaiiiville (inures the cr.inium of a common Dog 

 in which the same was observable. — Ed. 



