MANGUSTA JAVANICA. 



For the purpose of following me in one of the most essential points of this 

 description, I beg the reader to take before him the Plate of Illustrations contained 

 in the Fii-st Number, and that which is annexed to the present Number, of these 

 Researches. It will then be perceived that between the grinders of the Felis gracilis, and 

 of the Mangusta javanica, there is a great resemblance. In the grinders of the upper jaw 

 of the Felis gracilis this resemblance appears indeed only partially. The view which, in 

 making the delineation, was taken from the specimen prepared for the Museum, did 

 not exhibit the tuberculous tooth with the minuteness of detail that would have been 

 desirable ; and what appears a single posterior tuberculous tooth, will probably, on 

 an inspection of the naked cranium, be found to consist of two teeth placed in close 

 contact : but the contour and separate parts of the other teeth are given with a 

 degree of accuracy sufficient for my present purpose. In the grinders of the lower 

 jaw this resemblance is strong and apparent : thus, with the exception of the additional 

 heel of the base of the three first false grinders, these teeth, in both animals, are 

 perfectly similar ; and in the most characteristic tooth, the fifth grinder, being the 

 true carnassier, or carnivorous tooth, it is difficult to perceive any difference what- 

 ever. But if the comparison be extended to the front teeth of these two animals, 

 they will be found to be perfectly dissimilar. The front teeth of Mangusta 

 javanica have all the characters of the Viverrine animals enumerated — namely, 

 Genetta, Viverra, (as above limited,) Suricata, (agreeably to Desmarest and lUiger,) 

 and Mangusta; while the Felis gracilis will be found strictly to agree with the teeth 

 of Fehne animals. After these remarks relating to the teeth alone, I proceed to com- 

 pare the other characters of Felis gracilis with those of Viverrine animals generally. 

 The Felis gracilis, exclusive of the lengthened muzzle and slender body, has the 

 general physiognomy of Feline animals. Its claws are completely sheathed, and 

 retractile, and its feet have precisely the same covering, disposition, and attitude 

 as those of Cats ; with this difference, that Felis gracilis has five toes to the hind feet, 

 while the genus Felis, as previously known, has only four. To afford a distinct 

 view of this most essential character, care has been taken both in the plate of details 

 and in the figure of Felis gracilis. This animal further agrees with the Feline tribe 

 in the absence of the anal folliculus, or pouch. Of this I am enabled to judge, by the 

 complete absence of all odour during the period I had it in confinement. The 

 Viverrine animals hitherto known, and particularly the Mangusta javanica, have 

 long, naked, horny claws, which, although defined semi-retractile and semi-vaginate, 

 possess this property in a very slight degree, and are more properly fitted for burrowing 

 in the earth, which many of them, and particulary the Mangustee, perform with gi-eat 

 dexterity. They have, without exception, either simple foUicules, gradually larger 

 in size in the successive genera, according to the order in which they have been 

 enumerated, or an extensive anal pouch or sack. Their tail is in a greater or less 



