Remarks on an undescribed species of Civet. 59 



numerous and incomplete. It also differs from V. civetta, 

 in having a white throat, and from V. zibetta, in the neck 

 being crossed below by a black band. Should it prove a 

 new species, as we have no doubt it will, we trust that its 

 name may be connected with that of the distinguished 

 botanist to whose liberality we are indebted for the first 

 knowledge of its existence ; and who, while employed himself 

 in one extremity of India, can find means for supporting, 

 and time for organising establishments for collecting natural 

 productions in another. 



The different animals of the Civet kind are in India called 

 Catas ; there is one in Bengal, probably V. indica, Geof, 

 which is very common, and has been known even to enter 

 houses in Calcutta at night in search of poultry. A few 

 months ago an instance of the kind occurred in a house 

 surrounded by a high wall, and in which there were several 

 dogs. The Catas on finding itself pursued, entered a large 

 pond, and appeared to rely with much confidence on its 

 dexterity in the water for its safety. 



On two undescribed species of Skate, or Raidce. By Mr. J. 

 M'Clelland. 



We are acquainted with five species of Raidce inhabiting 

 the waters of Bengal, though nothing seems to have been 

 written about them. Buchanan describes one, Raia sancur, 

 without a caudal sting or spine ; it ascends in the Ganges, he 

 observes, as high as Cawnpore, and attains a great size; I 

 have not yet met with the species alluded to by this author. 

 I am therefore much inclined to suspect it to be the 

 Wolga tenkee of Russel, a species whose tail is armed with 

 a spine, but from the estimation in which this is held by 

 the Hindus as a charm, it is generally removed before the 

 fish is brought to market ; should this conjecture prove cor- 

 rect with regard to Buchanan's species, it may become 

 doubtful whether any species of stingless Raiae ( Anacanthus 



