FELID& 503 



much compressed, divided into two subequal lobes. Occasionally 

 it has a rudimentary talon, but never an inner cusp. The skull 

 is generally short and rounded, though proportionally more elon- 

 gated in the larger forms. The facial portion is especially short 

 and broad, and the zygomatic arches are very wide and strong. 

 The auditory bullae are large, rounded, and smooth. Vertebrae : 

 C 7, D 13, L 7, S 3, C 13-29. Clavicles better developed 

 than in other Carnivora, but not articulating with either the 

 scapulae or sternum. Limbs digitigrade. Anterior feet with 

 five toes, the third and fourth nearly equal and longest, the 

 second slightly and the fifth considerably shorter; the pollex 

 still shorter, not reaching as far as the metacarpo-phalangeal 

 articulation of the second. Hind feet with only four toes. The 

 third and fourth the longest, the second and fifth somewhat shorter 

 and nearly equal ; the hallux represented only by the rudimentary 

 metatarsal bone. The claws all very large, strongly curved, com- 

 pressed, very sharp, and exhibiting the retractile condition in the 

 highest degree. The tail varies greatly in length, being in some a 

 mere stump, in others nearly as long as the body. Ears of moderate 

 size, more or less triangular and pointed. Eyes rather large. Iris 

 very mobile, and with a pupillary aperture which contracts under 

 the influence of light in some species to a narrow vertical slit, in 

 others to an oval, and in some to a circular aperture. Tongue 

 thickly covered with sharp-pointed, recurved horny papillae. Caecum 

 small and simple. 



As in structure so in habits, the Cats may be considered the 

 most specialised of all the Carnivora. All the known members of 

 the genus feed, in the natural state, almost exclusively on warm- 

 blooded animals which they have themselves killed. One Indian 

 species (F, viverrina) preys on fish and even (it is said) on freshwater 

 molluscs. Unlike the Dogs, they never associate in packs, and 

 rarely hunt their prey in open ground, but from some place of con- 

 cealment wait until the unsuspecting victim comes within reach, or 

 with noiseless and stealthy tread, crouching close to the ground for 

 concealment, approach near enough to make the fatal spring. In 

 this manner they frequently attack and kill animals considerably 

 exceeding their own size. They are mostly nocturnal, and the 

 greater number, especially the smaller species, more or less arboreal. 

 None are aquatic, and all take to the water with reluctance, though 

 some may habitually haunt the banks of rivers or pools, because 

 they more easily obtain their prey in such situations. 



The numerous species of the genus are very widely diffused over 

 the greater part of the habitable world, though most abundant in 

 the warm latitudes of both hemispheres. No species are, however, 

 found in the Australian region, or in Madagascar. Although the Old- 

 World and New- World Cats (except perhaps the Northern Lynx) 



