CARXARIA. ^0 



elongated muzzle), the caiimes placed further bacRwara, and the molars more sliarply tuhereulatea. 

 recalling to mind tbo^e of the Insccttvora], feet, and colouring even of the Skunks, have the muzzle 

 tiTineated, so as to assume the form of a snout, and the tail reduced to a small pencil, [which, however, 

 is also held erect, as in the Badgers, &c.] Only one species is known, — 



The Javanese Teledu {Mid. mdaceps, F. Cuv.)— [Brownish] black, the nape of the neck, a stripe along the hack, 

 and t.iil, white ; the dorsal stripe sometimes interrupted about the middle. [Fur soft and rather line.] Its stench 

 is equally horrible with that of the Skunks, [und precisely eiuiilar, as I am informed by Dr. Horslield, who has had 

 experience of both : it subsists principuUy on earth-worms, for which it turns up the light soil with its snout, in the 

 manner of a Hog ; is easily tamed, and by no means oil'ensive in captivity ; and it is especially remarkable for its 

 restriction to a particular elevation on the mountains of Java, bclowwhich it is never found. 



V.'e may here also introduce 



The Kyentck {Ilehctis, Cray; Mehyalc, Is. Gcof.), — 

 The Ijody of which appears to be more lengthened and vermiform, and the tuberculous molar small 

 and transverse : it is described to have three false molars above, and four below ; the upper carnivorous 

 tooth three-lohed, with a broad two-pointed internal process : soles of the feet bare, and toes united. 



TIic Nyentek of the Javanese {Gulo orJenfaliSy Horsf. ; //. vioschatus. Gray.)— Size of a I'olecat ; brown, with a 

 white stripe along the back, crossed by another less distinct over the shoulders, and a white spot on the head ; tail 

 of mean length. This animal inhabits eastern Asia, and smells strong-Iy of musk : it is one of the few Mammalia 

 known in Europe to inhabit China, where the larger indigenous species arc supposed to have been exterminated. ] 



Tht. Otters (Luira, Storr) — 

 Have three false molai's above and below, a strong process to the upper carnivorous tooth, an internal 

 tubercle to the lower one, and a large tuberculous grinder that is nearly as long as broad ; their head 

 is flattened, and the tongue rather rough. They are distinguished from all the preceding genera 

 by their [more completely] webbed toes, and horizontally flattened tail, — two characters which pro- 

 claim them to be aquatic animals : they subsist on fish. 



Tlie European Otter (il/;/.\V. /ufra, Lin.) — Bruwn above, whitish round the lips, on the cheeks, and the i\hole 

 untler parts. Tlie rivers of Europe [and sometimes the sea-coast. Is occasionally spotted above with white. The 

 species of this extensive genus, which is almost generally diffused, are mostly very similar externally, and are best 

 distingiushed by the configuration of the cranium, &c.] That of India (L. 7irt/i; F. Cuv.) is employed for fishing, 

 as the Dog is for hunting. The Cape Otter {L. capen-^iis^ F. Cuv.) is remarkable (at least at a pai'ticnlar age) for 

 having no nails ; a character on which JI. Lesson has founded his genus Ao»>i,v : young individuals, however, have 

 heen received from the Cape, which possess nails ; and it remains to ascertain whether they are of the same species. 

 The American Otter (J/, hraziliensis), from the rivers of both Americas, has the extremity of the muzzle, which in 

 most other aniuials is naked, covered with close fur: [it is also very gregarious in its habits. But the most remark- 

 able species is the great Sea Otter (Muntela luiris, Lin., composing the division Enhydra of Fleming. It is 

 twice the size of the European species, from which it ditlers in the form of its hind feet, which have the 

 (udermost toe longest. The adults have but four lower incisors, the exterior pair being doubtless forced 

 out by the canines.] Its blackish velvet-looking fur is extremely valuable, to obtain which the English and 

 Russians hunt the animal throughout the northern shores of the Pacific Ocean, for the purpose of disposing of it 

 to the Chinese and Japanese. [A species intermediate to the Sea Otter and the others constitutes the P^frf- 

 iDwn, Gray. M. Temminck has received a new genus allied to the Otters, which he names Potamop/iilus. 



AVe here arrive at the tevmination of an extensive and very distinct natural p^rou}), which 

 falls nuder two principal subdivisions, the limits of wliich, however, are not easy to define. 



The first consists of exclusively ground animals, ^vith a thick and heavy Ijody, stout limbs, 

 and strong claws adapted for burrowing with rapidity. It comprises the Badgers, Teledu. 

 Skunks, Taxels, Bharsiah, and Ratel; nearly all of which ordinarily erect the tail, and are 

 more or less striped longitudinally. 



The remainder are vermiform and agile, and most of them ascend trees witli facility : they 

 are also more predatory, though some of the former (as the Ratel) possess an equally carni- 

 vorous dentition : many are marked similarly to the preceding. 



The Zorilles might almost be referred to either section; but we prefer retaining them near 

 the AVeasels.] 



The second subdivision of the Digitigrada [being the hrst, strictly so named,] possesses 

 [like the Ursida'] two Hat tuberculated molars posterior to the irpper carnivorous tooth*, 



* TluTr tiru tliree tubcnMiliuiri mol^irs to eauh j^w in Oie Canis [McgnMh) LaUnidi, and Uc BlaUiviUo lj^;ll^<rs thi; cnuiium of n cooimuu Do^ 



