MAMMALS. 



13 



plane of the palate. The sides of the muzzle above^ also, are elevated, compressed, and deeply 

 concave, as if squeezed, when soft, between the finger and thumb. The posterior portions of 

 the nasal bones are ratlier short, and broader than in the ocelot ; there is a very decided longi- 

 tudinal depression in the forehead along the insertion of the nasals between the frontals, as in 

 the cougar. The post-orbital processes are long, and extend perpendicularly outwards and 

 downwards at a more acute angle than in the ocelot. The plane of the zygoma, anteriorly, is 

 more vertical than in the ocelot. The lower jaw is rather short and broad ; the coronoid process 

 low and broad^ much less attenuated and curved backward than in the ocelot and cat, and 

 broader and less angular than in the F. eyra. The skull differs further from that of the eyra 

 in the narrower nasal bones, the muzzle projecting more above, and more deeply indented on 

 the sides, and narrower. 



The teeth differ from the ocelot, cat, and cougar ia the same features as do those of the F. 

 eyra; the third upper premolar or sectorial tooth is weaker, and its anterior inner tubercle is 

 nearly obsolete, the tooth sloping rapidly over the fang. The inner angle of the triangle formed 

 by the horizontal section of this tooth is the rectangle instead of the outer, as in the ocelot. 

 Only one groove is visible on the exterior surface of the canines. 



Length of skull, (1426,) 3.92 inches ; width, 2.49 inches. 



This species, according to authors, is found from Paraguay to Mexico, a specimen from 

 the latter country being given by Wagner, as in the Wurzburg Museum. It varies in size, 

 according to different authors, measuring from 22 to 30 inches in the body, (and neck 3,) and 

 from 13 to 24 inches in the tail. The tail is thus about as long as the body, exclusive of 



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the neck. 



From the skull, it would appear that the general form, like that of the F, eyra, is more mus- 

 teline than that of the other American cats. 



The largest specimens come from Surinam, and it is not impossible that close comparisons 

 may show the existence of two species. 



For the introduction of this species, as well as many others, into the fauna of K. America, 



science is indebted to the liberality and zeal of Lieut. D.N. Couch, of the U. S. army^ in 



purchasing the entire collections of Dr. Berlandiere, and presenting them to the Smithsonian 

 Institution. 



*' A kind of cat, or at least digitigrade, common in Mexico before the conquest, but at present very rare. 



** It is grey, but the hairs considered separately are tinged with rufous and black ; their extremities blackish. 



*' I have been assured that it is killed so netimes in the vicinity of the city of Victoria, the capital of the State of Taraaulipas, 

 and on the plateau of Mexico. On the borders of the Rio Bravo del Norte it is killed in the vicinity of Matamoras. I believe 

 it is not found in Texas." — (Berlandiere.) 



10. LYNX EUFUS, Kaf. (p. 9 0.)— American Wild Cat. 



This species is abundant in the northern part of Texas, but it is not yet ascertained how far 



I south its range extends. 



11. LYNX RUFUS, var. MACULATUS, (p. 93.)— Texas Wild Cat. Called Gala mantis ravin 



hy the Mexicans. 



123. Eagle Pass, Texas. April, 1852. A. Schott.— 132. El Paso, Texas. C. Wright. 



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