1832.] 



Mammalia observed in the Dakhan. 163 



None of the domesticated Dogs of the Dakhan are common to Europe. 



The first in strength and size is the Brinjari Dog, somewhat resembling the 

 Persian Greyhound, in possession of the Society, but much more powerful. It is 

 employed by the erratic people, the Brinjaris, in protecting their herds and in 

 hunting. Its strength enables it to pull down the largest animals of the chase. 

 It is courageous and intelligent. 



The Pariah Dog is referable to M. Cuvier's second section. These animals are 

 very numerous ; they are not individual property, and breed in the towns and 

 villages unmolested. Many of these dogs hunt very well by scent. 



Amongst the Pariahs is frequently found the Turnspit Dog, long backed, with 

 short crooked legs. 



There is also a petted minute variety of the Pariah Dog, usually of a white co- 

 lour and with long silky hair, corresponding to a common Lap-Dog of Europe • 

 this is taught to carry flambeaux and lanterns. 



/.The last variety noticed is the Dog with hair so short as to appear naked like 

 the Canis JEgyptius. It is known to Europeans by the name of the Polygar Dog. 



Cams pallipes, Sykes. — Landgah of the Mahrattas. 



Can. sordid e rufescenti albidus ; dor so nigrescenti ferrugineoque vario ; pedibus 

 totis pallitle ferrugineis ; cauda sublongd pendente. 



This is the Wolf of the Dakhan. Its head is elongated, and its muzzle acumina- 

 ted : a groove exists between the nostrils. Eyes oblique : irides yellowish bright 

 brown. Ears narrow, ovate, erect ; small for the length of the head. Tail pen- 

 dent, thin but bushy, extending below the os calcis. General colour of the fur a 

 dirty reddish white or whited brown. Along the back and tail very many of the 

 hairs are tipped black, mixed with others tipped ferruginous. The tail ends in a 

 black tip. The inner surface of the limbs, the throat, breast, and belly, dirly white • 

 legs pale. From the ears to the eyes reddish grey, with a great number of short 

 black hairs intermixed ; from the eyes to the nostrils, light ferruginous. The fur 

 from the occiput to the insertion of the tail is two or three inches long, "radu- 

 ally shortening as it approaches the sides ; hence all over the body very short and 

 lying close. 



The description is taken from two three-parts grown animals, which I had alive 

 for a considerable time in my possession. 



Length from tip of nose to insertion of tail 35 to 37 inches ; of the tail 11 to 12 

 inches ; the hair extending two inches beyond the measurement. 



These animals are numerous in the open stony plains of the Dakhan ; but are 

 not met with in the woods of the Ghats. 



Canis aureus, Linn. Kholah of the Mahrattas. — The Jackal cf Dakhan appears 

 to be identical with the Lavantine and Persian Jackal, They are numerous in the 

 Dakhan, and are terrible depredators in the vineyards. They are easily domesti- 

 cated when taken young. I had a very large wild male and a domesticated female 

 in my possession at the same time. The odour of the wild animal was almost un- 

 bearable. That of the domesticated Jackal was scarcely perceptible. 



Canis Kokri, Sykes. — Kokri of the Mahrattas. 



Can, supra rufescenti-griscui, infra sordide albus ; cauda comosce a pice nigro • 

 pedibus rufescentibus ; pupilld elongatd. 



The Fox of the Dakhan appears to be new to science, although it much resembles 

 the descriptions of the Corsac. It is a very pretty animal, but much smaller than 

 the European Fox. Head short ; muzzle very sharp. Eyes oblique : irides nut- 

 brown. Legs very slender. Tail trailing on the ground ; very bushy. Along 

 the back and on the forehead fawn-colour, with hair having a white ring near to 

 its tip. Back, neck, between the eyes, along the sides and half way down the tail 

 reddish grey, each hair being banded black and reddish white. All the legs red- 

 dish outside, reddish white inside. 



Chin and throat dirty white. Along the belly reddish white. Ears externally 

 dark brown, and with the fur so short as to be scarcely discoverable. Edges of* 

 eyelids black. Muzzle red-brown. 



Length 22 and 22£ inches : of the tail 11§ to 12 inches. 



Viverra Indica, Geoff. {Viv. Basse, Horsf.) Jawddi Mdrjar, or Civet Cat of 

 the Mahrattas. — There are two varieties of this species of Viverra in the Dakhan • 

 one inhabiting the woods along the Ghats ; the other the country eastward of the 

 Ghats. The animal of the Ghats exactly resembles a specimen now in the 



Y 2 



