_L. vellere nitido, adpresso, intensè fusco; corpore subtùs
pallidiore; gutture ad latera, et subtùs, pallidè fusco;
mento rostrique apice sordidè flavescenti-albis; pedibus
nigrescenti-fuscis; pilis caudæ supernè brevioribus, adpressis,
illis ad caudæ latera longioribus et fimbriam efficientibus._
DESCRIPTION.—This Otter is about equal in size to the common European
species (_Lutra vulgaris_, Auct.): its fur is short, glossy, and
adpressed; the under fur is tolerably abundant and of a silky
nature. The general colouring of the ordinary fur is deep brown,
and that of the under fur is very pale brown, deeper externally.
The tint of the under parts of the body is paler than the upper,
and may be described as brown, that of the throat, sides and under
part of the neck, pale brown; and, on the tip of the muzzle and
chin, dirty yellowish white. The hairs of the moustaches are
brownish-white; the ears are covered with short deep brown hairs,
those towards the tip are paler. The hairs covering the feet above
are short, and of a very deep brown colour. The tail is tolerably
long, thick at the base, whence it gradually tapers to the apex.
The hairs on the base of the tail resemble those of the body, but
on the remaining portion, they are short, glossy, and very closely
applied to the skin both on the upper and under surface, whereas
those on the sides are longer, and form a kind of fringe. The tip
of the muzzle and the soles of the feet are naked, with the
exception of the hinder half of the tarsus.
In. Lines.
Length from nose to root of tail 28 0
of tail 18 0