Felis cliaus and its Allies. 



293 



Felis cliaus furax^ subsp. n. 



In general colour and proportions very closely resembling 

 the Egyptian Cliaus, though probably rather smaller. The 

 hind foot of the single specimen measures 145 millim., which 

 is about equal to the hind foot of a female from Egypt. 



The enormous size of the teeth distinguish this cat from 

 any of its allies, and I cannot believe that this peculiarity is 

 individual. The size of the canines, which are 20 raillim. 

 long and 8 broad at the alveolus, points to the specimen being 

 a male ; but the top of the skull, with a broad shield-pattern 

 and small sagittal crest, more resembles that of a female. 



The type {$^ no. 64. 8. 17. 4 in the British Museum) was 

 obtained by Canon Tristram near Jericho in Palestine, 

 12th January, 1864. 



In proportion to its size this cat has the largest teeth of 

 any living member of the family Felidge. 



Simple figures do not convey much idea as to the size of 

 teeth ; but the importance of the above figures may be under- 

 stood when it is realized that there is as little difference 

 between the teeth of the Palestine Cliaus and those of a 

 female Leopard as there is between those of the European 

 Wild Cat and the Indian Chaus — in fact, the flesh- teeth are 

 actually larger than those of the Ocelot, and had the separate 

 teeth been found fossil they would have been put down to 

 an animal of the size of a Leopard. Therefore in this 



Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 7. Vol ii. 21 



