I I 8 LLOYD*S NATURAL HISTORY. 



Catolynx marmoratus and C. charltoni, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 



1867, pp. 267, 268; id., Cat. Carniv. Mamm. Brit. Mus. 



p. 16 (1869). 



(Plate X.) 



Characters.— From the preceding species the Marbled Cat may 

 be distinguished not only by its inferior size (somewhat exceed- 

 ing that of an ordinary Domestic Cat), but by the much shorter 

 upper tusks, or canines, which are less than half the length of 

 the palate ; and likewise by the shorter and more rounded 

 skull, in which the nasal bones are very broad and flat, while 

 the orbit, or socket of the eye, is generally surrounded by a com- 

 plete bony ring. Moreover, the anterior upper pre-molar tooth 

 is almost always wanting. Externally, the characters are very 

 similar to those of the Clouded Leopard, the long tail being 

 of the same bushy nature, and the ground-colour of the fur 

 varying from fulvous to grey, with black cloudings and 

 mottlings ; the under-parts being paler. Length of head and 

 body, from 18*^ to 23 inches; of tail, from 14 to 15^2 inches. 



The coloration is described by Blanford as follows : "Sides 

 divided by narrow pale streaks into large, irregularly-shaped 

 darker patches, black on the hinder edges. Along the back 

 are angular black blotches or irregular rings, arranged more 

 or less in longitudinal bands. There are black spots on the 

 outside of the limbs, the upper surface of the tail, and usually 

 on the lower-parts ; but those on the belly are very variable, 

 being sometimes large and distinct, sometimes almost imper- 

 ceptible. The inside of the limbs and the chest are banded 

 or spotted, and there are the usual cheek-stripes. Two inter- 

 rupted bands, one from the inner corner of each eye, over the 

 head are continued as well-marked black stripes on the hind- 

 neck, spots or bands intervening between them on the head, 

 but not on the neck. The under-fur is rich brown." 



Distribution. — The Eastern Himalaya, from Sikhim to Assam ; 



