294? Zoological Society, 



belief that this was the first individual of the species which had 

 fallen under the observation of zoologists since the days of Edwards, 

 its original describer, who saw and figured one which was living in 

 1755 in the possession of a surgeon in London. The description 

 and figure given by Edwards have consequently been hitherto the 

 only proofs of the existence of such an animal. Mr. Bennett added 

 that the black Lemur is the type of the Lemur Macaco, Linri. ; and 

 (hat the Vari, to which the name of Lem. Macaco has been applied 

 by modern authors, is given by Linnaeus as the Var. d. of that spe- 

 cies. Custom having, however, transferred the specific name to the 

 variety, he deemed it better to acquiesce in the use which has ob- 

 tained, leaving to the Vari the name of Lem. Macaco, and to the 

 black Lemur that of Lem. niger. 



Specimens were exhibited of various Mammalia, Birds, and Rep- 

 tiles, from the continent of India, which had been recently presented 

 to the Society by Thomas Heath, Esq. Mr. Bennett observed on 

 the several objects, pointing out especially the more interesting 

 among them. They included an individual apparently referrible to 

 the Semnopithecus cucullatus, Isid. Geoff. St.-Hil., although darker 

 in all its markings than is indicated in the description given by the 

 original observer of the species. They also included a species of 

 Felis, of a size intermediate between the larger and the smaller ani- 

 mals of that genus, and having in its gray colour and longitudinal 

 striping a general external resemblance to some of the Viverrce. 

 This Mr, Bennett regarded as new to science, and proposed to de- 

 signate it 



Felis viverrinus. Fel. Julvo-cinereus, subtus albescens ; capite, 

 nucha, dorso, gcnis, guldque nigro vittatis; lateribus, ventre, pedi- 

 busque nigro maculatis. 



Long, corporis cum capite, 33 unc. -, caudce mutilae, 7 ; auriculce, 1 4-. 



The prevailing colour of the upper surface is a rather deep yellow- 

 ish gray, the separate hairs being dusky at the base, yellowish in the 

 middle, and having short black tips. The black lines and spots are 

 formed of hairs destitute of yellow, and having the black tips of much 

 greater length. A longitudinal black band passes on each side, from 

 the inner canthus of the eye above the ear nearly to the shoulder; a 

 second, more internally, passes to the same distance backwards, and 

 is somewhat interrupted anteriorly ; and between this and its fellow 

 on the vertex is the vestige of a median line, which on the forehead 

 is broken up into a double row of spots ; these and the two adjoin- 

 ing lines subdivide in front into numerous very small spots between 

 the eyes. Two black lines pass downwards obliquely on either side 

 from below the eye, over the angle of the jaw ; and from their ter- 

 minations on each side there passes a transverse band across the 

 throat : the space between these lines is nearly white, as is also a 

 stripe over each eye, and the whole of the under jaw and chin. 

 There is a large black spot surrounding the base of the ear poste- 

 riorly, and the ear is also tipped with black. The long, linear mark- 

 ings of the back are disposed in about five interrupted, longitudinal 

 bands, and some of the spots on the sides assume a linear form. 



