22 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. 



* 



The La Plata Otter in its general colouring is of a somewhat deeper hue than 

 the European species, the cheeks and throat instead of being nearly white are of 

 a pale brown colour ; the tail is longer in proportion, and tapers more gradually ; 

 the tip of the muzzle is naked, but the hairless portion is less than in that species, 

 the boundary line between the naked part and the hair of the top of the muzzle 

 forming almost a semicircle ; the retiring extremities of this line touch the pos- 

 terior angle of the nostril on each side, whereas in the common otter the boundary 

 line of the hair of the muzzle is of a w-like form. The skull is figured in Plate 

 35, figs. 4, a, b, c, and d, and is compared with that of L. Chilensis in the next 

 description. 



"This specimen was killed by some fishermen a few miles from Maldonado, 

 near the mouth of the estuary of the Plata, where the water is quite salt. I am 

 not, however, by any means sure that it may not be a fresh-water species, which 

 had wandered from its proper station ; in the same manner as not unfrequently 

 is the case with the Hydrochcerus Capybara. I am indebted to Mr. Chaffers, 

 the master of the Beagle, for having kindly presented me with this speci- 

 men." — D. 



2. Lutra Chilensis. 



Lutra Chilensis, Bennett, Proceedings of the Committee of Science and Correspondence of the Zoological 

 Society of London for 1832, p. 1. 



L. fusca; vellere mediocri, laxo et sub-extante; mento, guld, et faciei lateribus, pallid e 

 fuscis ; pedibus saturate fuscis ; corporis pilis ad apicem pallide fuscis ; caudd 

 mediocri ; rostri apice calvo. 



Description. — This species scarcely equals a full grown European otter in size. 

 It is of a brown colour throughout ; the cheeks, chin, and throat, being 

 slightly paler, and the feet of a deeper tint, than the other parts. The fur 

 is moderately long, rather harsh to the touch, and semi-erect : the under fur 

 is abundant, and of a soft and silk nature. The hairs of the ordinary fur 

 are deep brown, but tipped with a very pale brown colour. The hairs of the 

 tail, like those of the body, are harsh and semi-erect ; towards the apex, 

 those on the upper and under part are in a slight degree shorter than those 

 at the sides, and lie closer to the skin ; these differences, however, are not 

 very apparent on the upper side, though distinct on the under. The feet 

 are naked beneath, with the exception of the posterior half of the tarsus. 

 The hair of the muzzle extends only down to the posterior angle of the 



