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Description of a new species of Paradoxurus. [No. 2 



Description of a new species of Paradoxurus from the Andaman 

 Islands. — By Col. Tytler. 



As the mammalia found on these Islands must he of interest, I beg 

 to send you the following description of a iew Paradoxurus which I 

 have named after myself, 



Paradoxttrits Tttleeii. 



Length from tip of snout to end of tail 3 feet and 5 inches, of which 

 the tail alone measures 1 foot and 8 inches, and the head about 6 inches 

 height at shoulder 8 inches, general colour, dark bister brown, thickly 

 mixed with longer light hairs of an Isabeline colour, giving the animal 

 a changeable colour from dark to light according to circumstances ; the 

 entire under surface is of a pale Isabeline hue ; feet, muzzle, and ears 

 dark, eyes hazel ; whiskers white, mixed with a few black hairs ; nails 

 nearly white ; teeth strong ; cheeks dark ; light down the nose, and 

 about the eyes ; very vulpine in appearance ; tail round not prehensile. 

 Naked area or glandular fold between the anus and the genitals ; large 

 feet of moderate size ; fur very thick and of a moderate length. The 

 above was taken from an adult male. In habits they are very nocturnal, 

 and appear to feed almost entirely on fruit and vegetables. I had two 

 males caught with a great deal of difficulty alive, but they soon died 

 in captivity : I have preserved their skins and skeletons. Their call is 

 rather cat-like, and they appear rather inoffensive in their habits, 

 notwithstanding that at times they fought slightly with each other. 

 I trust this brief account may be acceptable, and if so, should you 

 desire it, I shall be happy when opportunities offer, to send you 

 further notes from these distant islands. 



I ought to mention that the Paradoxurus I have described is not 

 very common ; the two I obtained were both from Viper Island where 

 they do great havoc amongst pine apples : they are great tree climbers, 

 nocturnal in their habits, and living during the day in holes. 



8th June, 1863. 



