24 GUIDE TO THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



The FELID^E, or Cat family, comprises Lions, Tigers, Cats, &c., 

 and is the most highly developed of the Carnivora. These animals 

 have short jaws and rounded heads, and generally four toes 

 visible on the hind, and five on the front feet. Tliey have 

 powerful limbs, and spring on their prey. Their claws are 

 retractile or capable of being drawn back when not in use. They 

 walk on their toes, and the heel does not touch the ground — 

 hence they are called digitigrade. They are to be found all over 

 the world, except in Madagascar and Australia. This family is 

 represented in the Museum by the following specimens : — 



The Ijion— {Fells leo) found throughout Africa and South-western 

 Asia. 



The Tiger— (^e^'"s ti(/ris) found in almost all countries of Asia. It is 

 a more dangerous animal than the Lion, and is remarkable for the 

 beautiful stripes on its body. 



The Leopard— (i^e^is jxcrdiLs) a native of Africa, and Asia, 

 extending its range to Japan and Saghalien. 



The Vumo.- {Felis concolor) of America; a powerful, but rather 

 cowardly animal, seldom known to attack man. 



The Cats— Nubian Cat; Java Cat; Pampas Cat; Wild Cat of 

 Europe and Northern Asia ; Spotted American Cat ; Common 

 Domestic Cat. The Nubian Cat is supposed to be the ancestor 

 of the Douicstic Cat. 



The "Lynx—iFelis lynx) closely allied to the cat, but with a shorter 

 tail. 



The Spotted KydeillQ.—f Bycena crocuta) from South Africa. 



The Civet C^X—{Viverra zihetha) from Ceylon, (F. civetla) from 

 South Africa, ( V. indica) from India. 



The Gene\Xe—[Genetta tigrina) from South Africa, which resem- 

 bles a cat. 



The Ichneumons— ( Heiyestes paludimsus) from South Africa 

 and (H. javatiicus), which are sometimes tamed and used to keep 

 down snakes, lizards, etc. 



The MongoOSe—iHesjyestes griseus) from India. 



The CANID^,.or Dog family, comprises Dogs, Wolves, Foxes 

 and Jackals. Like the Felidcs, they are digitigrade, or walk on their 

 toes, and have four toes visible on the hind, and five on the front 

 feet ; they do not, however, spring on their prey in the same 



r^: H, HILL LJBRARY 



F!#^rfh Carolina State CQllega 



