Why was the otter named 'Maxwell's otter'?
The otter was named Maxwell's otter because it belonged to a race previously unknown to science. When the author received the otter, it was a completely new species that the scientific community had not yet discovered, identified, or classified. This made the discovery highly significant for zoologists.
Consequently, after studying the animal, zoologists at length christened it by the scientific name Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell's otter, to honour the author who brought this previously unknown species to the world's attention.
Explanation
The provided text explicitly states that Mijbil was 'of a race previously unknown to science'. Because it was a newly discovered species, zoologists gave it a formal scientific name, Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, which is commonly referred to as Maxwell's otter, thereby naming the new species after its discoverer/owner.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify from the text that the otter was of a race previously unknown to science.
Step 2: Note that zoologists christened the new species Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli or Maxwell's otter, naming it after the author who introduced it to them.