1 88 Journal of Travel and Natural History 



the Lemurs and the Marsupials. This is usually called a relation 

 of analogy ; but without going the length of saying that there is 

 no such thing as a relation of analogy, or that all the so-called 

 relations of analogy are in point of fact relations of affinity, it 

 seems to us that in many cases they are so ; and, at all events, we 

 shall by no means be surprised if this should be hereafter 

 acknowledged to be the case in the instance of the Lemuridae 

 and Opossums. 



Cryptoprocta ferox, as to whose true relation so much discussion 

 has taken place, is here figured and described, and our authors 

 give the following brief estimate of its affinities : 



" Compared with the Cats, the Cryptoprocta recals these animals to mind by- 

 its physiognomy, by tlie general appearance of its form, by its system of denti- 

 tion, and its tolerably retractile nails ; and, in particular, it approaches more 

 nearly in respect of form to the Jagiiarondi, in respect of colour to the Puma, 

 (Felis concolor). The Cryptoprocta diverges, on the other hand, from the Cats 

 in general, by its form, somewhat more elongated in all its parts, including the 

 cranium ; by being not quite so high upon the legs, by its well developed anal 

 pouch, by an additional molar in each side of the under jaw, and by the bare- 

 ness of the soles of its four feet, being more extended and not divided by bands 

 of hairs into a certain number of compartments." 



Occupying, as it does in these respects, a somewhat middle 

 position between the true Cats and the Viverridas, it is not likely 

 that its nearest relations will ever be settled to the satisfaction 

 of every one ; but it is satisfactory to know exactly what the dif- 

 ferences are, so that every one may put his own value upon them. 



Of the Galidia elegans and concolor, we learn that they 

 both frequent marshy places, covered by aquatic ferns and reeds, 

 and prey on rails and other water birds and their eggs ; but after 

 their chase they retire into the forests, situated at a certain elevation, 

 They also feed on mice, rats, and some fruits, such as the banana. 



These animals were discovered by Bernier, in the north east of 

 Madagascar. The Galidia concolor is commoner than the G. 

 elegans, and G. olivacea is only a variety of it. M. Coquerel 

 made some observations upon one individual, which was kept in a 

 very frequented hotel at St Denis, in Bourbon Isle. It was com- 

 pletely free, and was constantly running about, giving utterance 

 to a sort of purring or clucking, like that of some birds. It made 

 continual war on insects and other vermin in the hotel. In a very 

 short time all the rats disappeared. It pursued them into the 

 narrowest holes, sucked their blood, and eat their brains. It got 

 quite tame, and followed its master everywhere. 



