Bulau, Or Tikns(gymnura Rafflesii, Vig. and Horsf.), an insectivorous mammal of the talpidm or mole family, inhabiting Sumatra and Malacca. In general shape it resembles the American opossum; the muzzle is much elongated, overhanging the lower jaw, and truncated at the end; eyes and ears small, the latter bare and rounded. The teeth are 11 on each side in each jaw, adapted for crushing insects; the feet are 5-toed, the 3 central toes the longest; on the anterior part of the body the fur is rendered harsh by long bristly hairs; the tail is nearly naked, scaly, and rat-like. The body is 12 to 14 inches long, and the tail 10 inches; the height at the shoulder about 5 inches. The color is a mixture of black and white, the latter prevailing on the head, neck, sides, and lower portion of the tail; there is a black stripe over each eye. It secretes a substance having a strong musky odor, which led Sir Stamford Raffles, its discoverer, to place it among the civets (viverra).

Bulau (Gymnura Rafflesii).