M r. Vigors and Dr. Horsfield on two species of Felis. 449 



Art. XL VII. Descriptions of two Species of the genusFelis, 

 in the collection of the Zoological Society/. Bj/ N, A. 

 YiGORs, Esq., A. M.^ F.R.S.,Sfc. J «wc?Thos. Horsfield, 

 M.D., RL.S., Sfc. 



Among the valuable acquisitions to science which -were the 

 result of the late lamented Sir Stamford Raffles's researches in 

 Sumatra, are two species of Felis, apparently unknown to natu- 

 ralists. No description at least that comes near them is to be 

 found in M. Temminck's Monograph of that genus ; and when we 

 consider the assiduity with which that indefatigable naturalist 

 investigated the subject, and the ample means he possessed of 

 comparison, we may fairly, we conceive, conclude, that every 

 species which escaped his notice must have been previously unre- 

 corded. 



The firsi c^ these subjects Is a small Cat, distinguished at once 

 by the extreme depression of the skull. This depression extends 

 along the nose to the extremity of the muzzle, the sides of which 

 are laterally distended. The head itself is more lengthened and 

 cylindrical than in the domestic cat. The distance between the 

 eyes and ears is comparatively great. The cylindrical form and 

 lateral contraction of the head is singularly contrasted by an 

 unusual length of teeth. The canine teeth, in particular, are 

 nearly as long as in an individual of double its size. The grinders 

 agree in number with the rest of the genus, but they are more 

 compressed than usual, aud the lateral appendages and points are 

 more developed. The general habit of body of our species is 

 slender, and the extremities are delicate and lengthened. The 

 number of toes, in both pair of feet, is the same as in the true cats. 

 The papillae of the tongue are prominent and sharp. The tail is 

 short, being only five inches and a half in length. This member 

 is mutilated in the specimen from which our figure is taken, but 

 an individual preserved in spirit has furnished us with the perfect 

 dimensions. The former specimen appears to have arrived at full 

 size ; the latter belonged to an individual considerably advanced 

 in age. This appears from the state of the teeth, which are 

 greatly worn by attrition, and the posterior or tubercular teeth 



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