106 VERTEBRATA. MAMMALIA. 



body, the claws only partially retractile, and the 

 docility and susceptibility of education, shew a 

 marked affinity to the Dogs. Its fur, which is 

 harsh, is fawn-yellow, studded with numerous simple 

 black spots : a sort of thin mane rises on the neck 

 and back. It is used for the chase. The Ocelots 

 and Tiger Cats, (F. Pardalis, Tigrina, Diardii, $c.) 

 are numerous and beautiful little creatures, inhabit- 

 ing both continents, where they chiefly prey on 

 birds and small quadrupeds. Our own island pro- 

 duces a wild Cat (F. Catus), of somewhat tigrine 

 character, which is now pretty well ascertained to 

 be a quite distinct species from our sleek parlour 

 pet (F. Domesticd). To the latter, notwithstanding 

 the efforts of naturalists, no satisfactory parentage 

 is yet assigned. 



A group of smallish species are well denned from 

 the other Cats by a stouter form, thicker fur, a short 

 tail, and a tuft or pencil of black hair tipping the 

 ears. They constitute the Lynxes, and though few 

 in number, are found in North America, Europe, 

 Asia, and Africa. They are arboreal and agile, and 

 some of them are inured to a very severe tempera- 

 ture, such as the Canada and European Lynxes 

 (F. Canadensis, and F. Lynx). 



III. AMPHIBIA.* 



Our attention has hitherto been given to those 

 animals whose motions and functions have been 

 performed in the atmosphere, either on the surface 



* 'Aftspts, amphis, both ways, and fiioa, Moo, to live. 



