Dr. Horsfield's Researches in Jaxia, S&3 



of Squirrel, described in his " Zoological Researches in Java," 

 the Sciurus Plantani and S, insignis ; and also with the Bangsring 

 of the Javanese, a remarkable animal approaching in certain cha- 

 racters to the genera Sorex and Mygale among the Insectivorous 

 Carnivora^ but in other characters strikingly resembling the genus 

 Tarsius in the order Quadrumana, and masked, in addition, by 

 the external form and appearance of Sciurus^ belonging to the 

 Rodentia. On two other species of this singular form among 

 Mammalia^ as we shall have occasion further to notice in the 

 sequel. Sir S. Raffles afterwards founded the genus Tupaia ; and 

 adopting this generic appellation, derived from the Malay name 

 for the animals. Dr. Horsfield has described the Bangsring under 

 the name of T, Javanicii. In the same forests of Blambangan, in 

 the eastern districts of Java, in which Dr. Horsfield first collected 

 the Tupaia, he also discovered the FelisJavanensis, a new species 

 among the smaller animals of that genus, since denominated F. m/- 

 nuta by Temminck, by an unnecessary change of name ; together, 

 in the year 1806, with the Delundung of the natives, now called 

 by its discoverer Prionodon gracilis, an animal equally interesting 

 with the Tupaia, though in a different branch of mammalogy, as 

 exhibiting in an approach towards the Viverrw a deviation of the 

 genus Felis from its type, affording the first known link of con- 

 nexion between the feline tribe and the smaller animals among the 

 typical groups of the order Carnivora.^ 



* The history of the progress of inquiry respecting the station in the groups 

 f>i Mammifera of this animal, affords an interesting illustration of the important 

 assistance in the classification of subjects of natural history, to be derived 

 from the principles advocated in the HoreEEntomologicce of Mr.W. S. MacLeay. 

 As we shall find the interference of Mr. Raffles to have been mainly concerned 

 in securing for British Zoologists the support their late researches and con- 

 <.'lusions in the most elevated paths of the science have received from Dr. 

 Horsfield's labours, both as a collector and a naturalist, it will not be irrele- 

 vant briefly to relate this history. 



When Dr. Horsfield first discovered the Delundung, its dental characters, 

 lengthened muzzle, slender body, and five toes on its hind feet, appeared to him 

 to refer it to the genus Viverra, as defined by Gmelin; and under this generic 

 denomination he mentioned it in a catalogue transmitted to this country in the 

 year 1S12. And in 1819, that zealous cultivator of Indian zoology. General 

 Hardwicke, influenced, probably, by the same coubiderations, described it 



