858 Letter on the Zoology [April, 



great scarcity, for he mentions two specimens as having been among his 

 collections, but which he unfortunately lost. He states that it is called 

 poe, by the Burmese ; that the head is large and round, like an otter's ; 

 the cutting teeth like a rat's ; feet slightly webbed, somewhat resembling 

 in appearance, though not so strong as, the moles, with fur exactly like 

 the moles but larger in the staple, and, as he thinks, even finer ; that it 

 is little larger than an English mole, and burrows with great rapidity. 

 Dr. Richardson further says, that, there are two kinds of the same 

 animal, one being longer and covered with harsher hair than the other. 

 As the animal is probably a new one, and the two kinds he mentions 

 distinct species, it should be sought for and described, and specimens 

 procured. The squirrels of that country probably bear a resemblance of 

 those of the Islands of the Eastern Archipelago, of Arracan, Assam, 

 and the lower ranges of the mountains of continental India ; but some 

 new ones must be met with. I have lately had one pointed out to me 

 as an inhabitant of Assam, by Dr. McClelland. He described it, 

 as a very large black squirrel ; much larger than the Sciurus maxi- 

 mus ; and he states, that it is an inhabitant of Baugmaurea in Upper 

 Assam ; from which place he has given it the specific name of Baug- 

 maria. I am not sure if Dr. McClelland brought a specimen 

 with him, but I rather think he did; and I am almost sure he has 

 described it ; nevertheless the arrival of other specimens is desirable, 

 and they may be procured, it is likely, in the countries you are about 

 to visit : as may also various species of flying squirrels, whether of the 

 genus Sciuropterus or Pteromys, 



Of the Pachydermata, the elephaiit and rhinoceros seem to be com- 

 mon in the provinces to the north and east of Tenusserim ; and the 

 Malay Tapir or that of China if there be such an animal, may also be 

 met with. Of late a question has been raised as to the existence of the 

 Hippopotamus in the rivers of India. Lieut. Tickell of the 31st Regt. 

 N. I. has stated, that while out with his regiment against the Coles, in 

 1833, he received intelligence of a large animal, said by the natives to 

 be amphibious ; and which from the description they gave him, he be- 

 lieved to be the Hippopotamus. If this be so, that animal may be found 

 in our eastern Provinces ; at all events, it is desirable to ascertain the 

 existence, or probable non-existence of an Asiatic Hippopotamus, 

 Reasoning from analogy the point is very doubtful ; for if the Tapir of 

 the east and south America, fill the place of the Hippopotamus of 

 Africa, in the list of Pitchy tier mat a, then we have no reason to expect 

 it here ; but, on the other hand, the zoology of Africa is too little 

 known to allow us to conclude, that the Topir does not also exist upon 



