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On a new Species of Prionodon. P. Pardicotor nobis. 

 By B. H. Hodgson, Esq. Resident at the Court of 

 Catamandu. 



In my catalogue of Nepalese mammals, drawn up for the 

 Linnsean Society, and in my descriptions of new species in 

 the Journal of the Asiatic Society, I have omitted all men- 

 tion of a very beautiful little animal that is sufficiently 

 common in the mountains of Nepal, though not until the 

 last three years known to me as a denizen of them. 



Two of the four specimens I now possess were procured 

 for me by Dr. Campbell in Sikim, I having in vain endea- 

 voured to obtain a. perfect specimen in Nepal. 



The last from Sikim exhibits the dentition in a very com- 

 plete manner, as also the feet, leaving therefore only the 

 anal and pubic follicles subject to doubt ; and as I see no 

 immediate prospect of obtaining a fresh or living specimen, 

 I will no longer defer giving a short but distinct account of 

 this new species of Prionodon, for such I believe the animal 

 in question to be, beyond all doubt. 



The teeth, Plate 1, Jig. 3 a, b, answer exactly to Dr. 

 Horsfield's formula of Prionodon, whilst the feet are most 

 completely feline, with the requisite exception of the fifth 

 posterior digit which is here present, though wanting in 

 Felis. These are the essential marks of the genus Priono- 

 don ; and are found in our animal, as in the generic type, 

 united with a vermiform structure and inferior size, such 

 as are seen in the lesser civets of India, or that form 

 between which and the true cats the Prionodons take their 

 place. 



Our little animal further approaches the cats and the type 

 of Prionodon by its soft glossy fur, which is closer and finer 

 than in any species of civet. Head elongate-conic, compress- 

 ed, viverrine, with the eyes placed at equal distance between 



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