MAMMALIA. 
85 
Genus 57.— Ratelus. — Bennet. 
Generic Character. —Incisory teeth canines J-J, grinders 
tzl ’ tQ tal 32. Canines very thick, strong and triangular ; in 
the upper jaw the cheek teeth consist of two false molars, with 
conical pointed crowns; one lacerator, and one tubercular, ar¬ 
ranged exactly in the same manner as in cats ; lower jaw, three 
false molars, anterior to the lacerator, and having no tubercle 
behind it; body thick, heavy, and depressed ; legs short, stout; 
feet with five toes; claws arched and retractile, grooved on their 
under surface ; no external ears; snout lengthened ; muzzle 
naked: tongue aculeated. 
Ratelus mellivorus .— The Ratel. 
Plate X. fig. 9. 
Hail stiff and wiry; head, neck, back, and root of the tail, 
dull ash-gray, whiter towards the head ; under parts, muzzle, 
contour of the eyes, and remainder of the tail, deep black. 
Size of a badger. Inhabits Africa and India. 
Genus 58_ Felis. — Linnaeus. 
Generic Character. —Incisory teeth £, canines, }-}, grinders 
3 I 3 or ili > tota l 28 or 30. Head round, jaws short, tongue 
aculeated; ears in general short and triangular, in many spe¬ 
cies with a white spot on the back of them ; pupils of the eyes 
in some circular, in others vertically oval; fore feet with five 
toes ; hind feet with four only, furnished with long, sharp, re¬ 
tractile claws, usually contained in sheaths. 
* Without spots. 
Felis leo. — The Lion. 
Plate XIV. fig. 1. 
Lioness. 
Plate XIV. fig. 2. 
Fur fawn-colour; head large; neck furnished with a mane; 
G 
