THE CHATL 195 



in Brest, without his being able to ascertain whence 

 it came. It now seems to be pretty well ascertained 

 that the species is a native of South America, and that 

 it will most probably be identified with some of the 

 doubtful species which have been described by the 

 older travellers in that country. 



" This is a very beautiful and graceful animal, and 

 possesses all the general characters of the diurnal 

 cats. It is about one-third larger than the domestic 

 cat, being in length, exclusive of the tail, rather more 

 than two feet ; and in height, at the middle of the 

 back, about one foot two inches. The tail is eleven 

 inches in length. The ground colour of the fur, on 

 the upper parts of the body, is of a pale yellowish 

 tinge ; on the lower parts it is pure white ; at the 

 roots it is of a dull grey, and it is very thick and 

 close. The whole body is covered with irregular 

 dark patches ; those upon the back are entirely black, 

 and are disposed longitudinally in four rows. Those 

 upon the sides are surrounded with black, have the 

 centres of a clear fawn colour*, and are arranged 

 in nearly five rows. The spots upon the lower part 

 of the body, where the ground colour of the fur is 

 white, are full, and appear arranged in two ]ines, 

 composed of six or seven patches on each side. The 

 limbs are covered with nearly round spots of smaller 

 dimensions ; and upon the fore legs, near the body, 



* Temminck calls these spots irregularly surrounded with 

 black, and having the centre of a reddish fawn colour 

 MonographieS) p, 150. 



