88 
MAMMALIA. 
Fells catus —The Domestic Cat. 
Plate XV. fig. 9. 
Fur generally whitish-gray above, with clouds and streaks ; 
beneath white. Inhabits, in a wild state, the forests of Europe. 
Family III. — Amphibia. 
Feet short, enveloped in the skin, shaped like fins, and adapt¬ 
ed for swimming; hind ones horizontal. Incisory teeth vari¬ 
able; often four, and sometimes six, above, and from two to 
four in the under jaw. 
Genus 59.—Phoca. — Linnaeus. 
Generic Character. —The teeth of this genus vary much in 
the different species. The incisory teeth are |, or or \; differ¬ 
ing also in form ; canine teeth strong, conical, and slightly 
curved; grinders 5 5 z%, or ®-j?, or <>-6. total 30, 34, 36, or 38. 
The grinders are all cutting or conical; the head round, snout 
elongated, with strong mustachios ; the nostrils capable of being 
completely closed ; eyes large; no external ears ; feet with five 
toes; the anterior extremities having a fin-like hand, and the 
posterior feet only; the phalanxes of both enveloped in the 
skin ; the tail short and thick; they have four abdominal teats. 
In this genus, Cuvier seems to have paid little regard to ex¬ 
ternal form, as in this respect the animals which he brings to¬ 
gether are very different; taking the dentition alone for his cha¬ 
racter. 
Sub-Genus I— Phoca. — Peron. —Without external ears; 
incisory teeth with a simple edge; grinders edged; toes of the 
hind feet terminated by pointed nails, placed on the border of 
the membrane. 
Phoca vilulina. — The Common Seal. 
Plate XVI. fig- 3- 
Fur yellowish-gray, more or less variegated and spotted with 
