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 ?), dec. 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 Hewan, 
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 Jyilng (the it 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 
