5o8 



POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



Prof. Edward D. Cope's laboratory at Philadelphia, during the 

 past winter, the Felis bracatta from southern Brazil. The size of 

 the animal is that of the domestic type, and its coloration is very 

 near to that of the tortoise-shell pet. Prof. Cope would tell you 

 that its only structural resemblance was to that of Felis jagua- 

 roncli, a common Brazilian wild cat of similar size. It would 

 seem that color and size might be at least suggestive, when struc- 

 tural variation might possibly be accounted for by long years 



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K-^''^'^'//;//0^ 







Felis bracatta (Cope). Soutliern Brazil. 



of domestication, changes in environment and food. But this is 

 mere theorizing, an approach to venturesome ground, of which 

 the paleontologist has a natural horror. At another time and in 

 another article I propose to point out certain interesting resem- 

 blances between types of domestic and types of wild cats, even 

 at the expense of being criticised by my friends who stand by 

 teeth, skull, vertebrae, and claws. I propose to assume that the 

 ancients had patience and good methods of reducing wild ani- 

 mals. The origin of the cat is as much of a mystery as the north 

 pole, and entitled to the same venturesome exploration. Paleon- 

 tology can throw no light whatever on the domestication of ani- 

 mals. Zoology has so far rendered no material assistance. 



Only one specimen of the new Brazilian wild cat is in exist- 

 ence. Not long since Prof. Cope found the skin in a musty old 

 box, where he had labeled it Felis bracatta, and hurriedly placed 



