ORDER CARNASSIER. 421 



has nine annuli of the like colour, the tip being of the paler 

 ground-colour. 



Dr. Horsfield found this animal in the district of Blam- 

 bangan, in Java, nor could he ascertain that it was known 

 in any other part of the island. It inhabits, though rarely, 

 the extensive forests which cover this district. Of its par- 

 ticular habits and manners, the natives could give but little 

 information ; the Doctor obtained a second individual, 

 which soon escaped, and he was never afterwards enabled 

 to get another. 



If the Paradoxurus be placed with propriety in a distinct 

 genus, there seems equal reason to do so with the Delun- 

 dung, to which genus, as we before stated, the Doctor has 

 given the name Prionodon, and he has added the specific 

 epithet Gracilis, from its elegant appearance. 



We are inclined to suspect that there are other species 

 of Viverrine Cats ; that figured in Daniel's Sketches of the 

 native tribes, animals, fyc, of Southern Africa, pi. 36, 

 if we may judge from the plate, has the appearance of it. 

 Vosmaer's Chat Bizeam, and others, also, may eventually 

 turn out to belong to this sub-division. 



We are now arrived at the genus Felis, the most promi- 

 nent of this terrible order of animals, a genus more distinct 

 and isolated, more obviously characterized to the eye of com- 

 mon observation, and more easily defined by its systematic 

 characters, than most others. A similarity in physical and 

 moral character, nearly approaching to identity, prevails 

 throughout almost all the species, from the dauntless Lion 

 and ferocious Tiger, to their common domestic congener the 

 Cat ; size and colour form their leading specific distinctions. 

 It is true, indeed, that one species at least, and probably 

 another or two, exhibit a slight approximation to the Dogs, 

 whence they have been called Canine Cats ; and a similar 

 aberration from the common type has also been observed 



