34 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 



chemical composition differs from both coal and bitumen ; 

 and they are unique in affording commercially valuable 

 substances, whence the industrialist may profitably extract 

 paraffin oil. Such minerals, and any similar substances 

 which may yet be discovered, deserve to be more clearly 

 disjoined than they have been from the ordinary mass of 

 cannel coals or bitumens. 



III. (1.) Notes on a Young Otter (Lutra ?), <jbc. recently sent from 



Old Calabar, Africa. By John Alex. Smith, M.D. 



This small specimen of an otter, preserved in spirits, and 

 now exhibited, was sent to me a few days ago by Dr He wan, 

 Old Calabar, through his friend, Andrew Elliot, Esq., pub- 

 lisher here. I need not remind the Society how much all 

 naturalists, and our Society in particular, have been indebted 

 to the gentlemen of this United Presbyterian Mission for 

 various additions made by them to the different divisions of 

 the animal and vegetable kingdoms. 



Dr Hewan informs me that " this species of otter is named 

 by the natives of Old Calabar the Jyung (the u being 

 sounded like ou in you), and with age it grows to the size of a 

 spaniel or poodle dog. It inhabits both marshy and dry land, 

 and lives on fish — small kinds caught on the banks of the 

 river at low water ; also on shell-fish, such as craw-fish, &c." 



This young animal is of a light ash or pale mouse colour, 

 and of a darker mouse colour on the upper part of head, and 

 across the muzzle in front of the eyes ; the muzzle and 

 sides of the head, as well as the chin and throat, and the 

 back part of the neck, being a light fawn colour, almost 

 white. There is also a darker spot of brown on the outside of 

 the fore legs, — the fore feet, as well as the hinder feet, being- 

 lighter in colour. The under surface of the animal, like 

 the upper, is of a pale mouse colour ; the tail is of the same 

 colour, rather short, flattened horizontally, and tapers to a 

 point. The head is broad and rounded, and the whiskers of 

 muzzle and cheeks are thick and long. The ears are short 

 and round, and darker in colour on their inner surface. 



It measures about 17 inches in length from the muzzle 



