4. Felis chinensis, Gray. 
¢ 158 Yen-an Fu, Shansi. Alt. 2800 ft. January 19th, 1909. Skin and 
skull only brought in by natives. 12 caudal vertebrae remaining, measured 
146 m.m. Measurement of ear while still fresh and soft was 50 m.m. 
This cat, though common over the greater part of China, is here very 
seldom seen, and is difficult to capture. The Mongols of the Ordos trap 
it in large iron gins, usually set for wolves and foxes. The fur is valued 
by the Chinese. 
The present specimen was killed while it was raiding a chicken coop, 
and it displayed great ferocity. 
5. Vormela negans, Miller. 
Proc. U.S. National Museum, xxxviii., page 385, August rgth, rgr1o. 
Among some mammals collected in North-Western China and the Ordos 
Desert were two spotted polecats, readily distinguishable from the 
western Vormela peregusna by a peculiar inversion of the colour pattern 
of back. 
The larger skin was brought to me in a very poorcondition. The skull 
was missing, as were also the leg bones, while the tail was torn in two, and 
one eye was torn. I offered large rewards for a complete specimen; but 
though several Mongols and Chinese were induced to enter the Ordos in 
search of them, [ obtained nothing more than a small dry skin which 
accompanies the above-named specimen. From what I could gather the 
animal is not at allcommon. It frequents spots where trees exist, and 
climbs freely. The Chinese name “ Ma-nai-hou” would also signify this 
fact, the last syllable ‘‘ hou’”’ meaning ‘‘monkey” or ‘‘ ape.” They are 
sometimes caught in traps set for foxes. Their skins, however, have no 
market value. They are very savage when caught. The above-mentioned 
facts were given and confirmed repeatedly by natives who had traded in 
the Ordos. 
Type specimen.— Adult male (skin only). 
Cat. No. 155,001. U.S. National Museum. 
Taken by natives in the Ordos Desert about 100 miles north of Yii-lin 
Fu, Shensi. Original number 92. 
Diagnosis—Like Vormela peregusna, but light markings paler and more 
extensive, those on posterior half of back confluent, so that this region is 
yellow mottled with brown, instead of brown mottled with yellow; under 
parts, fore-legs, and inner surface of hindlegs black instead of dark brown. 
178 
