994 MR. R. LYDEKKER OX XEW [DeC. 11, 



27 inches (or, allowing for stretching, possibly rather less), and 

 that of the tail about 13 inches. It is, however, much darker 

 than either of the named forms, and may be regarded as the 

 dusky phase of the group. 



Having the black ears, white claws, and fully-spotted light 

 luider surface characteristic of the group, this Cat may be 

 desci-ibed as dark smoky-grey above, darker along the middle 

 line of the back and tail, and darkest of all on the ci'own of the 

 head, where it appi-oaches black. No distinct evidence of spotting 

 on the dark parts of the body or of barring on those of the face 

 and limbs are observable, but there may be a suspicion of dis- 

 appearing dark rings on the sides of the tail. The under parts 

 and inner sides of the limbs are dirty white, profusely blotched 

 with black. 



In the absence of dark mai-kings on the upper parts the Ituri 

 Cat comes nearest to chrysothrix, although lacking the face- 

 markings and the spots on the flanks. On the other hand, in 

 colour it is more like celidogaster, although much darker, and 

 without the spots on the body and the rings on the tail. 



In my opinion, rutila, chrysothrix, celidogaster, and the Ituri Cat 

 (which, as already mentioned, I propose to name after its discoverer) 

 appear best regarded as forms of a single species, which may be 

 severally characterised as follows : — 



1. F. cJirysothrix rutila. General colour bright chestnut-i'ed, 

 distinctly spotted with reddish brown on the flanks which are 

 much lighter than the back ; under parts pure white, with large 

 chocolate-brown spots ; tail with a dark l)rown median line or 

 fainter indications of rings. — Gambia and Cameroons. 



2. F. chrysothrlx typica. General colour reddish brown, be- 

 coming distinctly rufous on the flanks, where it is sjjotted with 

 chocolate ; under parts piire white with dark spots ; tail uniformly 

 reddish brown above without trace of lateral barring. — Lower 

 Giiinea. 



3. F. chrysothrix celidogaster. Genei'al colour of upper parts 

 light grey, or greyish brown, spotted all over with brownish ; 

 under parts pui-e white with chocolate spots ; tail darker along- 

 median line thaii elsewhere (neglecta) with complete or partial 

 dark lings. — Upper Guinea and (?) Gambia. 



4. F. chrysothrix cottoni. General colour of uppei- parts dark 

 smoky grey, darker on the middle line of the back and tail and 

 darkest of all on the crown of the head, no sj)ots ; iinder parts 

 dirty white, spotted or (blotched) with blackish ; tail without any 

 distinct barring. — Itiui Forest. 



Whether any of the other named forms (inclusive of neglecta) 

 are entitled to rank as distinct races, I have not sufiicient means 

 of forming a defi.nite opinion. 



On the assumption that I am right in regarding the four forms 



