IN GENERAL. 119 
cleanly as animals of the cat kind. In this respect 
the nocturnal species, whose fur is also more close 
and fine, are far superior to the larger diurnal; and 
the fact may serve as another distinctive indication 
between them. All the species drink by lapping, 
require water often, and turn round repeatedly 
before lying down. Their voice consists in howling, 
but some bark even in a wild state; and several 
have various intonations expressive of different 
feelings.* 
In the wild species, the females residing in cold 
and temperate climates are in heat during winter, 
and once only in the year, or even two years. 
Within the tropics, the period probably differs. 
Gestation seems to be from sixty-two to sixty-eight 
days; but it may be shorter in the smaller species 
of hot climates, and perhaps longer in some cases.T 
Mons. Frederick Cuvier, whose views have been 
generally followed in this article, extends it to three 
or eyen three and a half months. Buffon was of 
the same opinion. The young amount to three, 
six, and even to nine and ten; they are not full 
grown till the second year, and longevity scarcely 
* The numerous experiments of Mr Tessier prove consi- 
derable diversities in the gestation of some orders of animals, 
but in dogs he does not allow the limits to exceed four days. 
See Cooper’s Tracts quoted in Buck’s Medical Jurisprudence. 
+ Mingit ad latus, cacat supra lapidem. Odorat anum alte- 
rius. This habit of smelling each other is connected with the 
two glands found on each side the anus, and communicating 
with it ; they are ovoid in form, and exhale a penetrating fetid 
smell,__Dauberton in Sonnini. 
