THE EGYPTIAN CAT. 239 



sent similar spots or semicircular lines. Along the 

 back runs a dark streak, which, after rising of a lighter 

 colour over the shoulders, becomes darker on the cross, 

 and gradually loses itself on the upper part of the tail, 

 the lower surface of which is of a white-yellow co- 

 lour ; the tail itself is almost of an equal thickness, 

 rather slender, and presenting at its point two dark 

 rings. The extremities, with proportionally less 

 hair on the outer side, show everywhere the general 

 colour of the animal, having, besides, five or six 

 blackish semicircular bands on the fore-legs, and 

 six distinct dark crqss-streaks on the hind legs. 

 The inner sides are of a lighter colour, the anterior 

 parts of which present two black spots, and on the 

 posterior parts are seen the cross streaks winding 

 around the thighs towards the inner side. The foot 

 soles, as well as the hind parts of the ankles and 

 wrists, are of a shining black hue. 



"The model which served for the above description 

 is an aged female. The teats and their nipples con- 

 cealed under the skin, indicate her having suckled 

 at the time that she was killed. The bones of the 

 extremities and skull, and her teeth, bear ample proof 

 of her being aged, and of course full grown. 



" Ruppel has found this cat in Nubia, west of the 

 Nile, near Ambunol. Its abode is rocky and bushy 

 regions. 



" This cat must, in more than one respect, excite 

 the interest of natural philosophers, as there can be 

 Vo doubt but that from it is descended the domestic 



