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BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA 
A remarkable animal from the point of view of distribution is the palm 
civet ( Nandinia ) which as far as is yet known extends right across from West 
Africa into Nyasaland, but is not found in East or South Africa. Ichneumons 
of three genera are found in this country. 
The only species of Jackal which is recorded from our collection is the side- 
striped jackal ( Cam's lateralis or C. adustus). It is entirely unlike the handsome 
black-backed jackal of South Africa, which has a black back and a silvery band 
of fur below the black; the centre of the back of the Nyasaland jackal is a rich 
chestnut brown and the silvery streak below is only faintly marked. 
The Cape hunting-dog 1 has been killed on Mount Zomba and is reported 
from West Nyasaland. Other specimens were obtained by Mr. Crawshay in 
the Lake Mweru district and sent home by me. From all accounts it is not a 
common animal in British Central Africa unless it be in the Luangwa valley. 
A SPOTTED HYENA 
M. Foa, a French sportsman, reports these animals as frequently met with in 
the Makanga country to the south-west of Nyasaland. 
A pretty little white-necked weasel 2 has been obtained in the Shire High¬ 
lands. I have also met with the ratel or honey badger in the same district, but 
we have not yet found the small black and white “ Cape polecat ” ( Ictonyx ), 
which inhabits South and East Africa, and whose range may—like that of so 
many other species—be interrupted by British Central Africa. 
An otter is very common on the Shire, in Lake Chilwa, Lake Nyasa, 
and in other large waters of British Central Africa. The only species recorded 
by complete specimens is Lutra maculicollis , or the “ spotted-necked otter ” ; 
but I am inclined to think that Lutra capensis is also found in parts of British 
Central Africa. I can only base my impression on dressed skins seen in the 
possession of natives, which I believe to have been of this animal. 
Except to naturalists there is nothing very interesting in the rodents of 
British Central Africa. A hare is present in Nyasaland of the big species, 
Lepus whytei. One or other types of hare are also found in the western part 
of British Central Africa but may possibly belong to species common to South 
1 Lycaon. 2 Pcccilogale. 
