IN GENERAL. 119 



cleanly as animals of the cat kind. In this respect 

 the nocturnal species, whose fur is also more close 

 and fine, are far superior to the larger diurnal ; and 

 the fact may serve as another distinctive indication 

 between them. All the species drink by lapping, 

 require water often, and turn round repeatedly 

 before lying down. Their voice consists in howling, 

 but some bark even in a wild state ; and several 

 have various intonations expressive of different 

 feelings * 



In the wild species, the females residing in cold 

 and temperate climates are in heat during winter, 

 and once only in the year, or even two years. 

 Within the tropics, the period probably differs. 

 Gestation seems to be from sixty- two to sixty-eight 

 days ; but it may be shorter in the smaller species 

 of hot climates, and perhaps longer in some cases.t 

 Mons. Frederick Cuvier, whose views have been 

 generally followed in this article, extends it to three 

 or even three and a half months. Buffon was of 

 the same opinion. The young amount to three, 

 six, and even to nine and ten; they are not full 

 grown till the second year, and longevity scarcely 



* Mingit ad latus, cacat supra lapidem. Odorat anum alte- 

 rius. This habit of smelling each other is connected with the 

 two glands found on each side the anus, and communicating 

 with it ; tliey are ovoid in form, and exhale a penetrating foetid 

 smell, — Davi)erton in So?inim. 



f The numerous experiments of Mr Tessier prove consi- 

 derable diversities in the gestation of some orders of animals, 

 but in dogs he does not allow the limits to exceed four days. 

 See Cooper's Tracts quoted in Buck^s Medical Jurisprudence. 



