438 



LUTRA VITTATA. 



the Otters. The name Lutra vittata is proposed, 

 as characteristic of the conspicuous white band or 

 vitta, which passes across its forehead, to the sides 

 of its neck. I am disposed to consider Viverra vit- 

 tata of Gmelin's edition of the Systema Naturae 

 and of Shaw, the Grison of Allamand and Buffon, 

 as a young specimen of this animal. The only mark- 

 ed differences seem to be in the proportions of the 

 limbs and tail. The general habits of the two ani- 

 mals do not materially differ. 



The specimen from which this description and 

 figure are taken, was killed in Demerara by Charles 

 Edmondston, Esq. and brought to this country by~ N 

 him in 1817. 



Lutra vittata.' 



Character. L, nigricans, vitta alba per frontem 

 et aures, ad humeros producta. 



Blackish Otter, with a white band passing 

 through the forehead and ears, to the should- 

 ers. PI. XIX. fig. 5. 



The upper part of the body, and thewholetail, have 

 a dark dingy grey hue, produced by the yellowish 

 white tips of its blackish hairs. The vitta passes just 

 above the eyes ; is about f ths of an inch broad on 

 the forehead ; includes the ears, which are round 

 and small ; dilates a little at the lower part of the 

 neck, and ends in a point on the shoulders. The 



