MAMMALIA. 21 



Gallictis vittata. 



Gallictis vittata, Bell, Zoological Journal, vol. ii. p. 551-2. 



, ? Proceedings of the Zoological Society, for April, 1837, p. 39. 



Gulo vittatus, Desmarest, Mamm. p. 175. 



"This animal is not uncommon at Maldonado, where it is called "Huron! 

 or thief, from the ravages it commits on eggs and poultry. Shortly after bein^ 

 killed this specimen weighed 1 lb. 8 oz. (Imp. weight)."— D. 



1. LUTRA PLATENSIS. 



L. vellere nitido, adpresso, intense fusco ; corpore subtiis pallidiore; gutture ad latent, 

 et subtiis, pallidh fusco ; mento rostrique apice sordide flavescenti-albis ; pedibus 

 nigrescenti-fuscis ; pilis caudce superne brevioribus, adpressis, Mis ad candce latera 

 longioribus et fimbriam ejfficientibus. 



Description. — This Otter is about equal in size to the common European species 

 (Lutra vulgaris, Auct.): its fur is short, glossy, and adpressed ; the under fur 

 is tolerably abundant and of a silky nature. The general colouring of the 

 ordinary fur is deep brown, and that of the under fur is very pale brown, 

 deeper externally. The tint of the under parts of the body is paler than the 

 upper, and may be described as brown, that of the throat, sides and under 

 part of the neck, pale brown ; and, on the tip of the muzzle and chin, dirty 

 yellowish-white. The hairs of the moustaches are brownish- white ; the ears 

 are covered with short deep brown hairs, those towards the tip are paler. 

 The hairs covering the feet above are short, and of a very deep brown colour. 

 The tail is tolerably long, thick at the base, whence it gradually tapers to the 

 apex. The hairs on the base of the tail resemble those of the body, but on 

 the remaining portion, they are short, glossy, and very closely applied to the 

 skin both on the upper and under surface, whereas those on the sides are 

 longer, and form a kind of fringe. The tip of the muzzle and the soles of 

 the feet are naked, with the exception of the hinder half of the tarsus. 



In. Lines. In. Lines. 



Length from nose to root of tail . . 28 Length of tail 18 



Habitat, La Plata, {July.) 



