Notices respecting Neija Books. 57 



scribed in the first number of these Researches : and as the 

 most rigorous comparisons and examinations have confirmed 

 my original views, regarding the natural affinity of this ani- 

 mal, I shall now concisely detail their result. 



" For the purpose of following me in one of the most 

 essential points of this description, I beg the reader to take 

 before him the plate of illustrations contained in the first 

 number, and that which is annexed to the present number, of 

 these Researches. It will then be perceived that between the 

 grinders of the Fclis gfacilis, and of the Mangusta javanica, 

 there is a great resemblance. In the grinders of the upper 

 jaw of tlie Fclis gracilis this resemblance appears, indeed, only 

 partially. The view, which, in making the delineation, was 

 taken from the specimen prepared for the Museum, did not 

 exhibit the tuberculous tooth with the minuteness of detail 

 that would have been desirable ; and what appears a single 

 posterior tuberculous tooth will probably, on an inspection of 

 the naked cranium, be found to consist of two teeth placed in 

 close contact : but the contour and separate parts of the other 

 teeth are given with a degree of accuracy sufficient for my 

 present purpose. In the grinders of the lower jaw this re- 

 semblance is strong and apparent : thus, with the exception of 

 the additional heel of the base of the first three false grindei's, 

 these teeth, in both animals, are perfectly similar ; and in the 

 most characteristic tooth, the fifth grinder, being the true car- 

 nassier, or carnivorous tooth, it is difficult to perceive any dif- 

 ference whatever. But if the comparison be extended to the 

 front teeth of these two animals, they will be found to be 

 perfectly dissimilar. The front teeth of Mangusta javanica 

 have all the characters of the Viverrine animals enumerated; 

 namely, Ge?ietta, Viverra (as above limited), Suricata (agree- 

 ably to Desmarest and Illiger), and Maiigiista ; while those of 

 the Felis gracilis will be found strictly to agree with the teeth of 

 Feline animals. After these remarks relating to the teeth alone, 

 I proceed to compare the other characters of Felis gracilis with 

 those of Viverrine animals generally. The Felis gracilis, ex- 

 clusive of the lengthened muzzle and slender body, has the 

 general physiognomy of Feline animals. Its claws are com- 

 pletely sheathed and retractile, and its feet have jirecisely the 

 same covering, disposition, and attitude as those of Cats; with 

 this difierence, that Felis gracilis has five toes to the hind I'eet, 

 while the genus Felis, as previously known, has only four. To 

 afford a (Ustinct view of this most essential character, care has 

 been taken both in the j)late of details and in the figure of 

 Felis gracilis. This animal further agrees with the Feline tribe. 

 Vol. G6. No. 327. Jiilj/ 1825. H in 



