0 
LUTRA LEPTONYX. 
the anterior of which arises from the sides of the nose near the upper lip; the poste- 
rior, opposite the junction of the jaws. The bristles are numerous, rigid, and closely 
applied to the head. The ears agree in form with those of the Common Otter j they 
differ, as already observed, in their disposition, being far removed from the eyes, 
and from the angle of the mouth. The teeth have the characters of the genus Lutra 
as defined by llliger, and as represented by Fre*d. Cuvier on the 29th Plate of the 
" Dents des Mammiferes " They differ in no essential point from those of the Common 
Otter. In the Javanese specimens there are but two false grinders in the upper jaw ; 
this is the same in Mr. Sabine's specimen of the Common Otter, and in the American 
Otter ; in a specimen belonging to the British Museum, which is remarkable on 
account of its size, there are three false grinders above. The eyes are situated near 
the nose, and are small, vivid, and dark-coloured. 
The covering of the Lutra leptonyx has the same character as that of the Lutra 
vulgaris ; it is made up of hairs which are downy at the base, rigid, and somewhat 
bristly at the termination, and closely applied to the body ; the fur would be useful, 
could the animal be obtained in sufficient numbers. Dr. Finlayson, in his account of 
the Siamese Otter, which lie considers to be the same with the Common Otter, states, 
that the skins form an article of trade between Siam and China. 
In its size the Javanese Otter is somewhat inferior to the Common, and to the 
American Otter, as appears from the following estimate. 
DIMENSIONS OF THE LUTRA LEPTONYX, 
Feet Inches Lines. 
Length of the body and head, from the extremity of the nose 
to the root of the tail, (English measure) 2 1 0 
the tail 10 0 
Circumference of the tail at the base 0 5 0 
Breadth of the tail at the base 0 1 6 
Distance between the ears 0 3 6 
DIMENSIONS OF THE LUTRA LEPTONYX, 
From the Batavia Society's Transactions. 
Length of the body and head, from the extremity of the nose 
to the root of the tail, (Dutch measure) 16 0 
the tail 10 0 
Breadth of the tail at the base 0 2 0 
Distance between the ears 0 3 0 
