Rimau-Dahnn^ or Fells Macrocelis. 543 



Sir Stamford Raffles. Having been obtained while very young, in 

 the forests of Bencoolen, it readily submitted to confinement. It 

 likewise supported, without inconvenience, a protracted and 

 tempestuous voyage, and was landed in excellent health : it is 

 however a subject of regret, that its death was occasioned, appa- 

 rently, by the combined causes of change of climate and of dis- 

 ease, connected with the process of dentition, to which it was 

 subject about six weeks after arriving. But a sufficient oppor- 

 tunity was afforded, both during the voyage and its continuance 

 in England, of noticing its manners and peculiarities. 



There is however a peculiar interest connected with the history 

 of the Rimau-Dahan, far exceeding that which arises from its 

 importance in a scientific point of view. The destruction of 

 the ship Fame, on the coast of Sumatra, has been a subject of 

 universal regret, as well as of universal notoriety : but it is less 

 generally known, that after returning to Bencoolen, stripped of 

 the result of the labours of seven years, by an instantaneous and 

 appalling calamity, Sir Stamford Raffles resumed his labours with 

 unabated energy and ardour. During the short period of a few 

 weeks, he succeeded in accumulating such a number of materials, 

 of an interesting nature, as alone to entitle him to the rank of an 

 eminent benefactor of science. 



Among the subjects thus meritoriously brought together, I have 

 the pleasure of enumerating the following: — First. The foetus 

 in utero of the Tapirus Malayanus, and many other parts of this 

 interesting animal, preserved in spirits. — Secondly. The subject of 

 the present memoir, the Rimau-Dahan, or Felis Macrocelis,* 

 a new species of the Genus Felis, equal in size to the Leopard, 

 the first distinct notice of which was given by Sir Stamford Raffles 

 in the Transactions of the Linnean Society. (See vol. xiii. p. 250). 

 Thirdly. The Felis Sumatrana, also brought in a living state to 

 this country. — Fourthly. Various specimens and skeletons of 

 Quadrumana, among which is an interesting species of Semno- 

 pithecus. — Fifthly. A collection of prepared skins of Birds, con- 

 taining several of the rarest Sumatran species. — Sixthly. Various 



* The specific name was applied to it by M. Temminck, as will be shewn 

 in the sequel. 



2 r 



