FAUNA AMERICANA. 93 



which state continues about fifteen days, and ges- 

 tation about nine weeks ; its voice is between that 

 of the fox and dog, its skin is very precious. 



Inhabits the countries bordering on the frozen 

 ocean in Iceland, Greenland, and the continent of 

 America, according to Sabine. 



Genus. 



Cat, or Felis. Linn. Briss. Erxleb. Bodd. Cuv- 

 Geoff. Illig. 



CHABACTERS. 



{C Incisor 6. 

 superior 16. <. Canine 2. 

 C Molar 8. 

 C Incisor 6. 

 Inferior 14. < Canine 2. 

 (_ Molar 6. 



Inferior incisors, forming a regular series. Ca- 

 nine, very strong. Four molars above, viz. two 

 false or conical on each side ; one carnivorous, w ith 

 three lobes and a small tuberculous tooth, wider 

 than long, (the last sometimes wanting,) below, 

 on each side, two false, compressed, simple mo- 

 lars, and one carnivorous bicusped. Head round ; 

 facial line short, and slightly arched ; zygomatic 

 arches ventricose; jaws short; tongue covered 

 with corneous papillae, their points directed back- 

 wards ; nose terminated by a very small muzzle, 

 with the nostrils pierced inferiorly and at the 

 sides; ears short, straight, triangular; pupils con- 

 tracting sometimes in a vertical line, sometimes 



