CHAP. XII.] 



DIFFERENT KINDS OF CATS. 



400 



exists between the general ground colour and the parts enclosed by 

 the black borders of the spots and markings. The variety termed 

 F. pardoidcs * is very like the variety F. gnsca, but the spots affect 

 less the form of rings upon tlie flanks, while the stripes on the neck 

 are less distinct as well as shorter, the ground colour of the neck 

 being redder. There are also more or less spots in the middle of 

 the back. It differs from the typical F. pardalis by its grey 

 colour. 



This greyness in F. pardoidcs and F. grisea is not the effect of 

 age, since it already exists in the kittens. 



F. pardoidcs measures about twenty-five inches from snout to 

 tail-root, and the tail is thirteen inches long. 



Very different from all the foregoing, as well as from the typical 

 F.2)arda/is, is the variety which has been named F. mclanura.-\ Its 

 colours are most intense. The ground colour being bright fulvous, 

 and the black markings exceedingly numerous and deep, while the 

 white parts stand out in strong contrast to the rest. 



The ocelot ranges from Arkansas to Paraguay, and according to 

 Mr. Elliot, even to Patagonia. 



Certain other smaller and beautifully-spotted American cats are 

 also difficult to distinguish one from another ; but it seems to me 

 there are probably three distinct kinds, which are represented in 

 our National collection, and are named F. tigrina, F. gtiigna, and 

 F. 2J(ii'dinoidcs. 



(20.) The Margay {FcHs tigrina). t 



_ The animal thus named must be another very variable species, 

 since what I believe to be but different varieties have been de- 

 scribed as three distinct species, under the names of F. tigrina, 

 F. mitis (the Chati), and F. macroura. 



The F. tigrina of the British Museum, § has rather harsh fur, of a 

 dull grizzled colour, varied with black spots and rings. The tail is 

 marked with small black spots, often confluent, but not forming 

 continuous rings. There are three transverse black stripes on the 

 cheek. The head and body together measure a little over twenty- 

 four Inches, and the tail Is about eleven inches long. 



The specimens named F. mitis and F. macroura \\ have soft, bright, 

 fulvous fur, with black spots of variable size, but which are not 

 united in chains. The black-bordered patches sometimes have a 

 pale centre. 



* Gray, Pro. Zool. Soc, 1867, p. 403. 



t Pro. Zool. Soc, 1867, pp. 270 and 

 403. 



X See Biologia, Mammals, p. 61. 

 Both Messrs. Alston and Elliot have 

 agi-eed in considering that the three 

 varieties are merely varieties ; having 

 come to this conclusion after together 



examining the fine series of specimens 

 in the museum at Paris as well as in the 

 British Museum. I adopt their decision, 

 though I do not feel sure that the F. 

 tir/rina and F. milis of the British 

 Museum, may not he distinct species. 



§ Gray, Pro. Zool. Soc, 1867, p. 404, 



II Gray, I. c, p. 271. 



