156 BOTANIC GARDENS MENAGERIE. 



Straits, and though the animal had never been outside a cage 

 in its life, having been born in captivity, after due considera- 

 tion the Government officials decided that a Dingo was a Dog 

 and as a Dog could not be admitted to the colony. It was a 

 curious looking animal of a rather dirty white colour, and 

 quite young. 



C. vulpes. 



Two foxes were kept in the Gardens at different times. 

 One was brought from China and appeared somewhat different 

 in colour from an ordinary English fox. It was very active, 

 playing about like a kitten all day. It was allowed a romp on 

 the chain every day for about half an hour which it much 

 enjoyed, but on three occasions when it was allowed this treat 

 after a day or two's intermission it became so excited that it 

 had a fit, and on the third occasion it died in spite of all that 

 could be done. The fox appears to be very liable to fits when 

 young, as similar occurrences are recorded in the account of 

 the animals in the Calcutta Gardens. 



The other fox was larger and came from Eussia. It 

 lived a long time and was eventually sold. During the hot 

 weather it shed great masses of matted hair, as the Dingo did. 

 At one time it became of a curious grey colour for a short time, 

 as if it was going to put on a white winter coat. Though tame 

 enough to allow the keeper to enter its cage, it would not allow 

 any one to handle it, but tried to bite. It became very friendly 

 with the jackal and used to slip through the bars between the 

 two cages to play with it. 



JjUTBIDM. 



Lutra cinerea. 



The clawless otter lived for some time in the gardens. 

 It was very tame, but like all others used to squeak incessantly 

 for food. It ate fish and meat in great quantities, and even- 

 tually died suddenly from overfeeding. When its skin was 

 taken off for stuffing at the museum it was found to be 

 extremely fat, the fat on its tail being nearly an inch thick. 



Jour. Straits Branch 



