194:— 18 INDIAN TERTIARY AND POST-TERTIARY VERTEBRATA. 
under consideration can have any affinity is Lutra campani. The lower jaw of that 
form is, however, unfortunately unknown, but from the fact that pm.l is absent, it 
may be inferred that the corresponding tooth in the lower jaw would probably be 
likewise wanting, which is not the case in the specimens under consideration. The 
only remaining fossil form to which these specimens could possibly belong is the 
species described below under the name of Lutra sivalensis , of which the upper 
dentition is figured in plate XXVII., figure 5. The lower jaws are, however, too 
small to have belonged to that form, as is shown by the lower molar series being 
considerably shorter than the upper ; the reverse being the case with all species of 
otters. There is another reason why these specimens should not belong to the same 
species ; — namely, that in L. sivalensis the first upper premolar is absent, whereas the 
whole series is present in the lower jaw. 
Conclusions. — From the foregoing comparisons it appears that the only otter to 
which the specimens under consideration are allied is the South African L. lalancli ; the 
resemblance between the former and the mandible of the latter being indeed so close 
that it is very difficult to fix on any differences of specific value : such, however, 
might probably be found if additional remains of the fossil were attainable. As it 
is highly improbable that the two forms are absolutely identical it seems better to 
assign a distinct provisional specific name to the fossil form ; and the term 
lathy gnathus, in allusion to the most marked character of the mandible, is accordingly 
proposed. 
It is a fact of extreme interest to find one of the Siwalik otters presenting no 
sort of affinity with any of the existing Indian species, but very closely allied to a 
living South African species, of which it is highly probable that it is the direct 
ancestor. This relationship affords another well-marked instance of the intimate 
connection of the tertiary fauna of India with the present African fauna. 
Distribution . — The two specimens above described, both obtained from the 
Punjab, are the only known remains of the species. As remains of Lutra 
palceindica are known only from the more easterly Siwaliks it is possible that these 
two species lived on the opposite sides of India, although considering the paucity of 
their remains it is hazardous to draw any very positive conclusions. 
