FELIS GRACILIS. 



FELIS. 

 Sect. I. 

 Cauda aut elongate, aut mediocris, 

 aut brevis. 



MammoE apertee aut ventrales 4 vel 

 2j aut 4 pectorales et 4 ventrales. 



Sect. II. Prionodoniida. 

 Cauda longissima. 



Mammw. 



Folliculus supra anum nullus ? 



Pedes distinct! ambulatorii digiti- 

 gradi pentedactyli. 



Plantos pilosse. 



Ungues falculsE parviE acuminatae 

 retractiles vaginats. 



VIVERRA. 



Cauda longa. 



Mammas apertse aut 4 pectorales et 

 2 ventrales, aut 4 ventrales et pecto- 

 rales nullse. 



Folliculus glandulosus inter geni- 

 talia et anum. 



Pedes distincti ambulatorii digiti- 

 gradi pentedactyli fissi. 



Plantw pilosse. 



Ungues falculae acutse semivaginatae 

 semiretractiles. 



Illiger. 



FoUicultis supra anum nuUus. 



Pedes distincti ambulatorii digiti- 

 gradi, antici pentedactyli, postici te- 

 tradactyH. 



Plantas pilosse. 



Ungues falculae acutae retractiles 

 vaginatae. 



Illiger. 



The Felis gracilis is strikingly characterized by a slender body, a tapering head 

 and sharp muzzle, a long and thick tail, and slender delicate limbs. The rela- 

 tive proportion of these parts is carefully represented in the figure. The body in 

 length is nearly equal to that of the domestic cat, but in consequence of its slender 

 make, it has a greater resemblance in form to the various species of Viverra. 



The following are the dimensions : — 



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



of the taU 1 foot, 3^ inches. 



the head 31 



do. 

 do. 



the tail 1 foot, \ 



the anterior extremities, from the shoulder to the 



extremity of the toes 5\ do. 



the posterior extremities 6^ do. 



The form of the head gives to the face a long and sharp aspect : both jaws are 

 of equal length, but the lower mandible is sufficiently narrowed to allow the upper 

 to enclose it, when shut. The eyes are of moderate size, very sprightly, and placed 

 near the nose : the irides are brown, and the pupil circular. Numerous whiskers, 

 rising from the upper lip, and pointing backwards, exceed the head in length ; several 

 distinct patches of bristles are placed near the ears, and at the angle of the mouth. 

 The nose is long, somewhat narrow at the extremity, of a dark colour, with a 

 longitudinal stripe extending along the head, the colour of which is dusky gray. 

 The opening of the nostrils is rounded below, and situated laterally. The ears are of 

 moderate size, rounded and placed posteriorly in regard to the eyes ; from their inner 

 base, and rather forward, rises a thick tuft of hair of a whitish colour, and a circle of 

 thick bristles is placed before them on the lateral parts of the head. The anterior limbs 

 are rather slender and delicate ; the thighs are robust in proportion to the size of the 



