CARNIVORA. 183 



Genus CYNAILURUS, Wagler. The Hunting Leo- 

 pards are distinguished from all the Felinae by the 

 imperfect power of withdrawing the claws, which, 

 consequently, are always observed to be worn at the 

 points. 



Felis jubata, or the Maned Hunting Leopard, is 

 the type of the group, and occurs wild in Africa, 

 India, and Ceylon ; according to Colonel Sykes, 

 Felis venatica differing in appearance only by being 

 domesticated.* 



In a fossil state, the bones of a large feline animal 

 have been discovered in the caverns of Geulenreuth, 

 which Baron Cuvier found to have a greater resem- 

 blance to the Jaguars of South America than any 

 other species. 



THE MUSTELID^E. 



THIS family Mr. Waterhouse regards as standing in 

 the same relation to the Felidce, as do Vwerridce 

 to dogs. They have, like the cats, a short obtuse 

 muzzle, but the skull more elongated, having on 

 either side in each jaw one true molar, the upper 

 being well developed, and generally transverse. The 



* All the specimens, whose origin was unquestionable, that 

 we have hitherto been able to compare, offered a black tip to 

 the tail, and a more silky fur, in those of Asia ; a white tip, 

 coarser fur, and bristly hairs about the neck, in those of* 

 Africa, whose skulls we think comparatively larger. 



