274 A HISTORY OF 



The sixth class is that numerous one of the Cat kind. This com 

 prehends the Cat, the Lion, the Panther, the Leopard, the Jaguar, 

 the Cougar, the Jaguarettc, the Lynx, the Ounce, and the Catamoun- 

 tain. These are all carnivorous, and furnished with crooked claws, 

 which they can sheath and unsheath at pleasure. 



The seventh class is that of the Dog kind, carnivorous, and furnish 

 ed with claws like the former, but which they cannot sheath. This 

 class comprehends the Dog, the Wolf, the Fox, the Jackall, the Isa- 

 tis, the Hyaena, the Civet, the Gibet, and the Genet. 



The eighth class is that of the Weasel kind, with a long small body, 

 with small toes, or claws, on each foot ; the first of them separated 

 from the rest like a thumb. This comprehends the Weasel, the Mar- 

 tin, the Pole-cat, the Ferret, the Mangoust, the Vansire, the Ermine, 

 with all the varieties of the American Moufettes. 



The ninth class is that of the Rabbit kind, with two large cutting 

 teeth in each jaw. This comprehends the Rabbit, the Hare, the 

 Guinea-pig, all the various species of the Squirrel, the Dormouse, the 

 Marmotte, the Rat, the Mouse, Agouti, the Paca, the Aperea, and the 

 Tapeti. 



The tenth class is that of the Hedge-hog kind, with claw feet, and 

 covered with prickles, comprehending the Hedge-hog, and the Porcu- 

 pine, the Couando, and the Urson. 



The eleventh class is that of the Tortoise kind, covered with % 

 shell, or scales This comprehends the Tortoise, the Pangolin, and 

 the Phataguin. 



The twelfth is that of the Otter, or amphibious kind, comprehend- 

 ing the Otter, the Beaver, the Desman, the Morse, and the Seal. 



The thirteenth class is that of the Ape and Monkey kinds, with 

 hands, and feet resembling hands. 



The fourteenth class is that of winged quadrupeds, or the Bat kind, 

 containing the Bat, the Flying-Squirrel, and some other varieties. 



The animals which seem to approach no other kind, either in na- 

 ture, or in form, but to make each a distinct species in itself, are the 

 following: the Elephant, the Rhinoceros, the Hippopotamus, the 

 Cameleopard, the Camel, the Bear, the Badger, the Tapir, the Cabria, 

 the Coati, the Antbear, the Tatou, and lastly, the Sloth. 



All other quadrupeds, whose names are not set down, will be found 

 among some of the above mentioned classes, and referred to that which 

 they most resemble. When, therefore, we are at a loss to know the 

 name of any particular animal, by examining which of the known 

 kinds it most resembles, either in shape, or in hoofs, or claws ; and 

 then examining the particular description, we shall be able to discover 

 not only its name, but its history. I have already said that all methods 

 of this kind are merely arbitrary, and that nature makes no exact dis- 

 tinction between her productions. It is hard, for instance, to tell 

 whether we ought to refer the civet to the dog, or the cat kind ; but, 

 if we know the exact history of the civet, it is no great matter to 

 which kind we shall judge it to bear the greatest resemblance. It is 

 enough, that a distribution of this kind excites in us some rude out- 

 lines of the make, or some marked similitudes in the nature of these 

 o.:iimals ; but, to know them with any precision, no system, or evon 



