FELIS JAVANENSIS. 



backwards, passes to the throat, and unites with that of the opposite side. Of 

 several transverse bands crossing the anterior part of the neck, two are more apparent, 

 and form one of the specific distinctions of the Felis javanensis. The fur is long, 

 and soft to the touch, but does not form so close a covering of the body as that of 

 the subject of the next article. 



The front and canine teeth differ in nothing from those of the other species 

 belonging to this subdivision of the Genus ; the grinders are proportionally of mode- 

 rate size, and compressed. The first in the upper jaw projects but slightly above the 

 gums ; the second is tricuspid, having one long and two short points ; the third is 

 large, and has the usual form, but the anterior internal projection is scarcely percep- 

 tible. In the lower jaw the two anterior grinders are tricuspid ; the third is largest, 

 having two equally prominent, and one shorter point. 



The claws are completely retractile, and when the animal is at rest, concealed 

 by the soft fur which plentifully covers the feet. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Length of the body, from the extremity of the nose to the root 



of the tail 1 Foot, 11 inches. 



the head 4>^ do. 



the tail 8^ do. 



the anterior extremities, from the shoulder to the 



extremities of the toes 7 do. 



the posterior extremities , 9 do. 



The Felis javanensis, or Kuwuk, is found in large forests in every part of Java. 

 It forms a retreat in hollow trees, where it remains concealed during the day ; at 

 night it ranges about in quest of food, and often visits the villages at the skirts of 

 the forests, committing depredations among the hen-roosts. The natives ascribe to 

 it an uncommon sagacity, asserting that, in order to approach the fowls unsuspected, 

 and to surprise them, it imitates their voice. It feeds chiefly on foAvls, birds, and 

 small quadrupeds ; but, in case of necessity, it also devours carrion. 



This animal is perfectly untameable ; its natural fierceness is never subdued by 

 confinement. The same character is given to the Bengal Cat by Drs. Gibbon and 

 Buchanan ; but it has not the disagreeable odour ascribed to that species, nor does 

 it frequent reeds near to water, to feed on fish, snails, and muscles. I first collected 

 the Felis javanensis in the year 1805, in the extensive forests of Pugar and Blam- 

 bangan. These also contain the Felis undulata; the latter, as far as my observations 

 extend, is confined to the eastern extremity, while the former is by no means 

 scarce, and distributed through every part of Java. 



