! 6 ] 
The Muslelitiiie form a small group anti inclufle Martens 
and Oilers. Two of the former are exhibited, the Indian 
Marten [Mustela flavigula\, and Ihe Malay Weasel [Putorius 
nudipes), a pretty beast with reddisli body and white head.— Of 
the Otter or ' Berang-berang ' three species occur in this 
neighbourhood, Ltdra baraitj^. L. sumtitranii and L. dnerea. 
The two first ones are difficult to distinguish from each other, 
both of them have claws and are much bigger than the third 
species which, on account of its having nails only instead of 
claws is also called Lutra leptonyx. 
The last group of the Carnivora are the Bears, repre- 
sented in this region by one species only, the Malayan Honey 
Bear or Bruang [Helurctos malayanus). It ranges from N. E. 
India and Indo-China down to the Malay Peninsuia, Sumatra and 
Borneo, but is said to be absent from Java. K group of four of 
them, from Malacca, is exhibited. Very noticeable is its short 
hair, quste different from the long, shaggy coat" of the Indian 
Bear which stands alongside. The Honey Bear is a good 
climber. It lives on small mammals and birds, if it is not too 
clumsy to catch them, but more probably on fruit, insects and 
grubs. Its long and narrow tongue seems specially adapted for 
the latter kind of food. Honey can surely form only a ver>' 
occasional item of \t% bill of fare. Unless attacked h is a harm- 
less beasL 
RODENTS (Rodentia). 
The Malayan Rodentia may be classified into Nystricidae 
(Porcupines), Leporidae (Hares), Muridae (Rats and Mice), 
Spalacidae (Bamboo Rats) and Scmridae (Squirrels). 
Two porcupines occur here, the Common Porcupine or 
' Landak kawan* (fiifslrix hngkattda) and the Brush-tailed 
Porcupine or *Landakbalu' {Atherura macrmmi]. The latter 
species is smaller and has a tail terminating in a tuft of bristles. 
The Hares are represented by two Sumatran species 
{Lepus uigricoiiis and Nesolagm titHscfien], \mi the Museum 
possesses no specimen of either. 
The Rats and Mice, Malay name " tikus,' are numerous, 
both in number of species and of individuals, but the average 
visitor will probably not be much interested in them. 
The Bambcm Rat or Dekan {Rkizomys sumatrensLs) is 
considerably larger than an ordinary rat. It has a yellowish 
fuft small eyes, small ears, short tail, strong claws and huge 
incisors and resembles the mole in its raode of life. 
