FELIS GRACILIS. 



animal, and indicate considerable vigour in the posterior extremities. The toes are 

 thickly covered with a soft and very delicate fur, which likewise occupies the in- 

 terstices, and extends to the soles of the feet, as completely as in other species of 

 the genus Felis. The claws are minute, sharp, transparent, and retractile ; they are 

 entirely concealed by the fur. The covering is remarkably soft and delicate; the hair 

 forming the coat, is of moderate length, silky at the base, and closely arranged, so as 

 to render it very pleasant to the touch. The tail is nearly equal in length to the 

 body, exclusive of the head ; it is perfectly cylindiical, fully and thickly covered 

 with a long silky spreading fur, and beautifully marked with seven rings. 



The strong contrast which exists between the pale yellowish white of the throat, 

 belly, back, and tail, and the deep brown bands and spots on which the specific 

 character is founded, gives the Delundung a striking appearance. Its elegance when 

 alive, is perhaps not surpassed by any species of the genus Felis : and the specimen 

 belonging to the Honourable East India Company's Museum, after a lapse of four- 

 teen years, has preserved a considerable share of beauty. On a ground of pale 

 yellowish white, which covers the throat, breast, belly, sides, and part of the back 

 and tail, the distinguishing marks of a deep brown colour inclining to black, are 

 arranged in the following manner : — Four transverse bands, gradually increasing in 

 breadth, cover the back at intervals between the limbs ; on the rump are two narrow 

 bands ; two longitudinal stripes take their origin, one between the ears, the other near 

 the posterior angle of the eye, on each side, and pass, with interruptions at the 

 transverse bands, to the thighs, where they are continvied by numerous large spots 

 which cover these parts. From the shovdders and thighs, several obscure stripes pass 

 to the feet, which have a dusky gray colour. Between the origin of the longitudinal 

 stripes of the body, and the transverse bands of the back, two smaller stripes are 

 placed, which unite on the lower part of the neck, from the opposite sides. 



I discovered this animal in the year 1806, during the early period of my researches 

 in the district of Blambangan, situated at the eastern extremity of Java : the natives 

 here distinguish it by the name Delundung. I have not been able to ascertain that 

 it is found in any other part of the Island, or that it has another name. Even in 

 Blambangan it is rarely met with. It inhabits the extensive forests, which, with 

 the exception of the capital of Banyuwangi, and a few small villages, cover this 

 district. Of its particular habits and manners, the natives could give me but little 

 information. To observe and study these, as well as for the purpose of delineation, 

 I obtained, after much research, a second individual ; but this soon made its escape, 

 and since this period I have not been able to find it in any part of Java. 



In a manviscript catalogue, which I forwarded to the Honourable Directors of 

 the East India Company, in the year 1812, this animal was noticed as a species of 

 Viverra, with the specific name of Delundung. 



