Lutra Chilensis, _Bennett_, Proceedings of the Committee of Science
and Correspondence of the Zoological Society of London for 1832, p. 1.
_L. fusca; vellere mediocri, laxo et sub-extante; mento, gulâ, et
faciei lateribus, pallidè fuscis; pedibus saturatè fuscis; corporis
pilis ad apicem pallidè fuscis; caudá mediocri; rostri apice calvo._
DESCRIPTION.—This species scarcely equals a full grown European otter
in size. It is of a brown colour throughout; the cheeks, chin, and
throat, being slightly paler, and the feet of a deeper tint, than
the other parts. The fur is moderately long, rather harsh to the
touch, and semi-erect: the under fur is abundant, and of a soft
and silk nature. The hairs of the ordinary fur are deep brown, but
tipped with a very pale brown colour. The hairs of the tail, like
those of the body, are harsh and semi-erect; towards the apex,
those on the upper and under part are in a slight degree shorter
than those at the sides, and lie closer to the skin; these
differences, however, are not very apparent on the upper side,
though distinct on the under. The feet are naked beneath, with the
exception of the posterior half of the tarsus. The hair of the
muzzle extends only down to the posterior angle of the nostrils,
where it terminates in a straight line, leaving the tip of the
muzzle naked.
In. Lines.
Length from nose to root of tail 31 0
of tail 14 3