58 LETTER FROM CAPT. T. HUTTON. [Jan. 28, 
with Dr. Gray’s description, especially of Mr. Bartlett’s specimen of 
Pteronura sandbachii, that I do not even consider it impossible that 
my Brazilian Otter may be of that species. At all events, I con- 
sider it certain that it is different from the considerably smaller Luéra 
brasiliensis; and I may add that the more experienced hunters of 
the province Minas Geraes distinguish clearly between two Otters 
indigenous there: the smaller one they call ‘ Lontra ;’ to the larger 
one they give the name ‘Ariranha.’ Prof. Burmeister is not accu- 
rate when, in his ‘ Uebersicht der Thiere Brasiliens,’ he states that 
these denominations are used indiscriminately for the same animal, 
Lutra brasiliensis.” 
Mr. Blyth exhibited and made some remarks upon a pair of horns 
of one of the new Antelopes (Strepsiceros imberbis) described by 
him at the last Meeting. 
A communication was read from Capt. Thomas Hutton, C.M.Z.S., 
containing notes upon certain Indian Mammals, principally regard- 
ing their habits and distribution in India. The species alluded to 
were the following :— 
1. Tue Inp1An Buatoo (Ursus labiatus of Jerdon’s ‘ Indian 
Mammals’). 
Capt. Hutton gave a full description of the variety of this animal, 
met with in the north-western provinces, which appeared to present 
some points of difference, and gave copious notes upon its habits, 
stating in particular that, although it can climb trees readily enough 
in search of fruits, it finds difficulty in doing so unless the trunk of 
the tree is gnarled and rough. 
2. Toe Snow-Bear or THE Himataya (Ursus isabellinus). 
This species of Bear was stated to be entirely confined to the 
snowy region of the northern Himalaya and Tibet, where it subsists 
upon roots, berries gleaned from the neighbouring cultivated spots, 
fruits both wild and cultivated, and such small animals as it may 
occasionally surprise. Capt. Hutton was of opinion that this spe- 
cies was essentially distinct from the Syrian Bear (Ursus syriacus), 
to which it had been united by some authors. 
3. THe Ounce, or SNow-LeEoparp (Felis uncia). 
This species was stated to be resident among the snows in the 
treeless region of the higher Himalaya, occurring occasionally on the 
Indian slope of the snowy range, where a fine living female, which 
had come into Capt. Hutton’s possession in 1864 when about five 
months old, had been captured by Mr. Frederick Wilson and 
brought into Mussooree. In the following year two other cubs were 
seen about the same place, but were not captured. Capt. Hutton 
gave a full description of the first-mentioned animal when about six 
months old; its length at that time was about 2 feet 33 inches, and 
