166 Catalogue of the [April, 



spines of the crest also are so long as to reach to the insertion of the tail. The 

 ears are much less rounded, and the nails are shorter, infinitely deeper and more 

 compressed, and with deep channels below. The white gular band is more mark- 

 ed ; and, finally, the Asiatic species is totally destitute of hair, spines where want- 

 ing being replaced by strong bristles even down to the nails. 



This species is abundant in the Dakhan and is very good eating. Like the African 

 Porcupine, when alarmed or irritated it shakes the tubes and spines of its tail vio- 

 lently, producing a startling noise. It stamps also with great energy with its hind 

 feet; and when it assails an adversary it runs obliquely backwards, transfixing the 

 foe with its spines. 



Lepus nigricollis, F. Cuv. Sassah of the Mahrattas. — This species of Hare is so 

 common in the stony and bushy hills of the Dakhan that I have had nearly a 

 dozen brought to me, in the course of a few hours, by two or three men using nets 

 called waggurs. 



Mania crassicaudata, Griff. Kuwli Manjur, or Tiled Cat of the Mahrattas. — 

 This species is very common in the Dakhan. They are incapable of climbing trees, 

 and invariably move with tlie foreclaws doubled under the feet, so that they appear 

 to walk on their knuckles. They live on white ants, and lap water like a dog ; and 

 like a dog also they are infested by the large blue tick. Their only defence is in 

 coiiing themselves up, and so strong is the muscular power of the tail, that I have 

 had two men attempt in vain to unroll an animal. 



Sus Scrofa, L. Dukar of the Mahrattas. — Wild Hogs abound in the Dakhan, and 

 the males attain to a very great size. I am not satisfied that there is any specific 

 difference between the European and Asiatic WildHog. Every village abounds 

 with Hogs, but any property in them is equally abjured by individuals and the 

 community. They live in the streets, are the public scavengers, and dispute with 

 the Pariah Dogs the possession of offal matters thrown out from the houses. They 

 are certainly of the same species as the WildHog. The flesh of the latter is eaten 

 by almost all castes of Hindus excepting the Brahmins and Banias ; but the flesh 

 of the village Hog is not even touched by the carrion-devouring outcasts the Mahr. 

 The village Hog is of the same colour as the wild animal, mostly a rusty black, and 

 the only variations are slate black or slate intense brown ; but it is not above two- 

 thirds of the size of the latter. Tail never curled or spirally twisted. 



Equus Caballus, L. Ghora of the Mahrattas. — A fine breed of Hones exists on the 

 banks of the Bima and Mann rivers in the Dakhan, supposed to have been improved 

 by the Arabian blood. I have been assured by a Brahmin that as much as 10,000 

 rupees (1,000/.) has been paid by a native chief for an animal oi: this breed. 



The variety of the horse called Pony by us, and Tattoo by the Mahrattas, is se- 

 dulously propagated in the Dakhan, on account of its great use in the transport of 

 baggage. The Tattoo is remarkable for its vicious propensities. 



Equus Asinus, L. Gadha of the Mahrattas. — The Ass of the Dakhan is very little 

 larger than a good mastiff or Newfoundland dog, but I have not remarked any other 

 difference between it and the ass of England. Wild asses do not exist there, but 

 they are said to be found in Katiwar. 



Camelus Dromedarius, L. Unt of the Mahrattas. — The Dromedary is rarely bred 

 in the Dakhan, but is in very general use; indeed armies in India could scarcely 

 move without its aid. The two-humped Camel is not known. 



Moschus Meminna, Erxl. Pisoreh of the Mahrattas. — This beautiful little ani- 

 mal is found in considerable numbers in the dense woods of the Western Ghats, 

 but never on the plains. It readily reconciles itself to confinement, and a friend of 

 mine had a pair that bred yearly. Its irides are of a deep brown. The flesh is ex- 

 cellent eating. 



Carvus equinus, Cuv. Sambur of the Mahrattas. — This animal, which abounds 

 in the Ghats of the Dakhan and in Khandesh, is no doubt the same as the Malayan 

 Eusa figured in Griffith's ' Translation of the R^gne Animal.' It wants the size of 

 the Cerv. Aristotelis of Bengal, also called Sambur (not Sambu), and is not so dark 

 in colour. 



Cerv. Mantjak, Zimm. Baiker of the Mahrattas. — This beautiful species of Detr 

 is a native of the Western Ghats of the Dakhan, and is never seen on the plains. 

 An examination of the animal now in the Society's gardens will afford satisfactory 

 evidence that those who have hitherto figured the animal, in works on Natural His- 

 tory, have been unhappy is not representing its true character. It always runs with 



