1862.] MR. R. SWINHOE ON THE MAMMALS OF FORMOSA. 353 



my possession, and therefore cannot give particulars as to measure- 

 ment. In size it is rather smaller than L. macrocelides, but agrees 

 with it almost entirely in markings. Its tail, however, is only If feet 

 long, more bushy, and is indistinctly banded with black. 



Like most of its allies, this animal is nocturnal in its habits. It 

 commits great havoc among the Deer, for which it lies in ambush. 

 It fears the approach of the armed savage, and never attacks man 

 until provoked. 



4. Felis viVERRiNA, Hodgs. Wild Cat of Formosa. Chinese, 

 Swan Neaou. 



I have examined specimens of this Cat from the Himalayas, India, 

 and Malacca. They all vary in size, length of tail, colour and size of 

 spots, and tint of fur. To this species ours undoubtedly belongs ; 

 but its colours are much livelier, and the spots more distinct. It is 

 much sought after by the Chinese for its soft, pretty skin, to make 

 cuffs and collars for their coats, 4*. ^d. being the usual price given 

 for a single skin. The animal is therefore comparatively rare, and 

 not easy to procure. I dare say, however, in the wilder parts of the 

 wooded interior it may not be uncommon. 



It is stated, with what truth I cannot say, that some ninety years 

 ago the Chinese colonists of Formosa, being very anxious to exter- 

 minate the savages from the mountains, imported a pair of Tigers 

 from China, and let them loose in the woods. The savages at first 

 took them for a large variety of Cat, and tried to make friends with 

 them ; but some of their number having fallen victims to the ferocity 

 of the Tigers, the animals were soon pursued and dispatched with 

 their javelins. A joke was raised against the parties concerned, for 

 their absurd idea ; and the hill where this introduction took place 

 was christened and still bears the name of the Great-Gat Hill. 



5. VivERRA PALLIDA. Chinese, Pe-bah. 



I have compared our Viverra from Formosa with two from China. 

 Ours only differ in being much darker, and having more distinct spots. 



This is not an uncommon species in Hongkong and the adjacent 

 islands. In Formosa it is the commonest of all the carnivorous group. 

 Skulking during day in the dark ravines that intersect the hilly 

 country in the north-west, in the twilight it threads its way with 

 great speed through the long grass, and searches the fields for small 

 mammals and birds. It is much dreaded by the Chinese for the 

 havoc it commits in the hen-roost ; and as its skin is somewhat valued 

 for lining to great- coats, its haunts and creeps are sought after, and 

 traps laid for it. Of these the slip-knot noose for the head and feet 

 is the most commonly practised, and the most killing. As the cool 

 season approachs, hawkers may daily be met with, even in the villages, 

 offering for sale the stretched skins of these animals. The poorer 

 classes, who are unable to purchase the dearer furs, make use of 

 these cheaper, yet pretty, skins. I extract a note from my journal 

 on a freshly killed female of this species : — " Purchased 27th Feb- 



Proc. Zool. Soc— 1862, No. XXIII. 



