. An introduction to the study of mammals living and extinct. Mammals. 568 CARNIVORA. Fig. 261.—Palate ot Lutra cimrta. Palceoniologia Indica,') (From the carnassial with a trenchant tricuspid blade, and a very large inner lobe, hollowed on the free surface, with a raised sharp edge, and extend- ing along two-thirds or more of the length of the blade. True molar large, with a quadri- cuspidate crown, broader than long. First upper premolar very small, and in some cases absent (Fig. 261). Skull broad and depressed, contracted im- mediately behind the orbits. Facial portion very short; brain cas
. An introduction to the study of mammals living and extinct. Mammals. 568 CARNIVORA. Fig. 261.—Palate ot Lutra cimrta. Palceoniologia Indica,') (From the carnassial with a trenchant tricuspid blade, and a very large inner lobe, hollowed on the free surface, with a raised sharp edge, and extend- ing along two-thirds or more of the length of the blade. True molar large, with a quadri- cuspidate crown, broader than long. First upper premolar very small, and in some cases absent (Fig. 261). Skull broad and depressed, contracted im- mediately behind the orbits. Facial portion very short; brain case large. Vertebrae: C 7, D 14-15, L 6-5, S 3, C 20-26. Body very long. Ears short and rounded. Limbs short. Feet more or less completely webbed ; claws usually well developed on all the toes, although they may be rudimentary or absent. Tail long, thick at the base and tapering, rather depressed. Fur short and close. The humerus may or may not have an entepicondylar foramen. In conformity with the shape of the skull, the posterior part of the brain is expanded laterally. The Common British Otter {L. vulgaris), as the type of the genus, may be described somewhat fully. It has an elongated, low body, short limbs, short broad feet, with five toes on each, con- nected together by webs, and all with short, moderately strong, compressed, curved, pointed claws. Head rather small, broad, and flat; muzzle very broad ; whiskers thick and strong; eyes small and black; ears short and rounded. Tail a little more than half the length of the body and head together, very broad and strong at the base, and gradually tapering to the end, somewhat flattened horizontally. The fur is of very fine quality, consisting of a short soft under fur of a whitish-gray colour, brown at the tips, inter- spersed with longer, stifFer, and thicker hairs, very shining, grayish at the base, bright rich brown at the points, especially on the upper parts and outer surface of the legs; the throat, cheeks, under parts
Size: 1888px × 1323px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorly, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectmammals
