LUTRA LEPTONYX. 



the anterior of which arises from the sides of the nose near the upper lip; the poste- 

 rior, opposite the jvinction of the jaws. The bristles are numerous, rigid, and closely- 

 applied to the head. The ears agree in form with those of the Common Otter ; they 

 differ, as already observed, in their disposition, being far removed from the eyes, 

 and from the angle of the mouth. The teeth have the characters of the genus Lutra 

 as defined by lUiger, and as represented by Fr^d. Cuvier on the 29th Plate of the 

 " Dents des Mammif^res." They differ in no essential point from those of the Common 

 Otter. In the Javanese specimens there are but two false grinders in the upper jaw ; 

 this is the same in Mr. Sabine's specimen of the Common Otter, and in the American 

 Otter ; in a specimen belonging to the British Museum, which is remarkable on 

 account of its size, there are three false grinders above. The eyes are situated near 

 the nose, and are small, vivid, and dark-coloured. 



The covering of the Lutra leptonyx has the same character as that of the Lutra 

 vulgaris ; it is made up of hairs which are downy at the base, rigid, and somewhat 

 bristly at the termination, and closely apphed to the body ; the fur would be useful, 

 could the animal be obtained in sufficient numbers. Dr. Finlayson, in his account of 

 the Siamese Otter, which he considers to be the same with the Common Otter, states, 

 that the skins form an article of trade between Siam and China. 



In its size the Javanese Otter is somewhat inferior to the Common, and to the 

 American Otter, as appears from the following estimate. 



DIMENSIONS OF THE LUTRA LEPTONYX. 



Feet Inches Lines. 



Length of the body and head, from the extremity of the nose 



to the root of the tail, (English measure) 2 10 



the tail... 10 



Circumference of the tail at the base 5 



Breadth of the tail at the base 16 



Distance between the ears 3 6 



DIMENSIONS OF THE LUTRA LEPTONYX, 



From the Batavia Society's Transactions. 



Length of tlie body and head, from the extremity of the nose 



to the root of the tail, (Dutch measure) 1 6 



the tail 10 



Breadth of the tail at the base 2 



Distance between the ears 3 



