140 MR. E. T. BENNETT’S NOTICE OF CRYPTOPROCTA. 
flat, the inner is much smaller, and is considerably lower in the crown than the outer. 
Behind this is a closed cavity in the jaw, evidently containing the rudiment of a fifth, 
or second tubercular, molar tooth. In the lower jaw the six incisors are nearly of equal 
size, the outer one on each side being acute at its top. The canine adjoins the external 
incisor ; is more than twice its length, strong and broad at the base, narrower upwards, 
and curved somewhat backwards. Two false molars succeed, placed close to each 
other, similar to those of the upper jaw, and separated by a small interval from the 
canine anteriorly and the third molar posteriorly. The third molar has four acute 
tubercles succeeding each other longitudinally ; the first is small and short, ranging 
scarcely higher than the second false molar ; the second, much stronger, and twice the 
length of the first; the third, corresponding nearly with the first, and separated by a 
notch from the fourth, which is small and much lower. The fourth molar has also four 
sharp tubercles, of which the first two are strong and cutting, the second being the 
largest, and having behind it and somewhat internally the third, which is small and 
acute ; the fourth resembles the fourth tubercle of the third molar. An enlargement 
of the bone behind this tooth shows that the pulp of a fifth molar is inclosed within 
the jaw. 
Mr. Telfair states that this animal was sent to him lately from the interior and 
southern part of Madagascar, and that he has not seen in Mauritius any of the Mada- 
gascar people that were acquainted with it. He remarks, ‘‘It is the most savage 
creature of its size I ever met with: its motions and power and activity were those of 
a tiger: and it had the same appetites for blood and destruction of animal life. Its 
muscular force was very great, and the muscles of the limbs were remarkably full and 
thick. It lived with me for some months.” 
In conclusion I may add, that it is not impossible that the Cryptoprocta ferow may be 
identical with the animal described and figured by M. F. Cuvier, in the ‘ Mémoires du 
Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle’!, as a species of Paradowurus, with the trivial name of 
aureus ; the anal pouch, which distinguishes it from Paradowwrus, having, perhaps, been 
overlooked by that distinguished zoologist. The colours, form, and proportions appear 
to be the same. M. F. Cuvier’s specimen was young, though not so young as the one 
in the Society’s Museum: the country from which it was obtained was not recorded. 
1 Tom. ix. p. 46. tab. 4, fig. inf. 
PLATE XXI. 
CryPTOPROCTA FEROX. 
