88 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



claws, and the full development of the tubercle on the inner 

 side of the upper flesh-tooth. 



THE WILD CAT. FELIS CATUS. 



Felis catus. Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. 12 vol. i. p. 62 (1766); 

 Bell's British Quadrupeds 2nd ed. p. 220 (1874). 

 (Plate VI II.} 



Characters. General colour yellowish-grey, with an inter- 

 rupted longitudinal dark stripe down the back, two dusky 

 bands on the cheeks, and numerous obscure transverse stripes 

 of the same colour on the body and limbs ; tail of uniform thick- 

 ness throughout, equal in length to less than half the head and 

 body, and ringed and tipped with black. Length of head and 

 body of male about 34 inches ; of tail, 1 1 ^ inches. 



In general aspect, form, and coloration, the Wild Cat re- 

 sembles large "Tabbies" of the domestic breed; many speci- 

 mens of the latter which have escaped from captivity and 

 taken to a roving life in the woods, being frequently mistaken 

 by the inexperienced for true Wild Cats. From the domestic 

 species, the Wild Cat differs, however, by the proportionately 

 longer body and limbs, and the shorter and thicker tail ; the 

 fur being also more abundant than in the old original English 

 breed, when not crossed with the Persian. Conforming in 

 general external configuration and appearance to the type 

 characteristic of the great majority of the members of the 

 Family to which it bjlongs, the Wild Cat has the general 

 ground-colour of the soft and long fur yellowish-grey, tend- 

 ing in some individuals to pale reddish-brown. In addition 

 to some black spots near the muzzle, the face is marked 

 with two black stripes, commencing between the eyes, and 

 gradually increasing in width, and diverging as they pass 

 backwards between the ears to the hinder part of the 

 neck. Commencing between the shoulder-blades, a broad, 

 irregular black or blackish longitudinal stripe traverses the 



