SPREADING OF THE MAMMALIA. 50 



Grey in China, and the Small Bear with white fore- 

 head on the range of the Andes, spreads, according 

 to Humboldt, nearest to countries of a warm climate. 

 In America is to be found the Racoon (U. lotor), 

 also a native of warm countries ; yet, as it is found in 

 the 43d degree N.L., a region much colder than any 

 European region in the same degree, it seems by 

 no means to belong to warm countries, and pro- 

 bably inhabits mountains. We may therefore re- 

 gard the region in the 30th degree N.L. as a limit 

 to the spreading of those animals. It is curious, 

 also, that the species of this Genus decrease, with 

 regard to size and natural disposition, in the di- 

 rection towards the warmer climates. The Polar 

 Bear cannot support the warmth of the middle part 

 of the Temperate Zone. 



16. The Cat (Fells') is of a nature quite opposite 

 to that of the Dog. It spreads, in its fiercest, largest, 

 and most numerous species, over the hottest coun- 

 tries of the globe ; decreasing in the Temperate 

 Zone, with regard to number, size, and fecundity. 

 The fiercest Cats, the Lion (F. Zeo), the Tiger (F. 

 tigris), the Panther (F. pardus\ the Great Leopard 

 (F. leopardus), the Small Leopard (F. leopardalis), 

 the Hunting Leopard (F. jubatd), the Ounce (F. 

 undo), the Jaguar (F. onca), the Ocelot (F. parda- 



