IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 93 



temporarily. Next morning the animal was seen disporting itself close 

 to the island, but on the approach of the men it disappeared until, after 

 considerable search, it was found hidden inside a burrow. Its bewil- 

 dered appearance betrayed something unusual which was not properly 

 understood till after the capture of the beast, when it was discovered 

 that all the time it had been keeping company with a crocodile in its 

 hiding place. That it ever escaped being devoured was a wonder. The 

 crocodile was killed. A jcommon otter twice escaped, and on each 

 occasion it made for the nearest fish-market. 



(99) THE CLAWLESS OTTER. 

 (LUTEA LEPTONYX—JTo™/.) 



The chief characteristics of this otter are that its claws are extremely 

 small and rudimentary, and in some specimens altogether wanting, and 

 that the third and fourth toes on all feet are considerably longer than 

 the others : the skull also of this species is much smaller than in other 

 forms found in India. 



Hab, — Inhabits the greater part of the Oriental region. It occurs 

 in the Himalayas at low elevations, and is found in Bengal, Assam, 

 Burmah, Southern China, the Malayan peninsula, and Java. Except at 

 high elevations on the Nilgiri and some other places, it does not occur 

 in the Peninsula of India. 



Length of liee in captivity. 



The longest period during which one has lived in the garden has 

 not exceeded three years. 



With regard to housing, feeding, transport, &c, it may be treated 

 like other species mentioned above. 



Observations on its habits. 



As far as they have been observed, the clawless otters are certainly 

 tamer than the other specimens, but not less noisy, 



(100) THE EAOOON DOG-. 

 (NYCTEKEUTES PKOCYONOIDES-Gmy.) 



ZW^i^.-Total length, including the tail, about 25 inches • 

 general colour greyish brown, with black tips to the hair; cheek and 

 legs dark chocolate brown; tail short, thick and pale brown with white 

 tips to the hair. + 



Hab.— Japan and Amurland, 



Length of life in captivity. 



A specimen lived about eighteen months. Animals from such a 

 climate as that of Amurland are not likely, even under the most favour- 

 able circumstances, to thrive in Lower Bengal. 



