ORDER CARNASSIER. 469 



Ounce *, F. Uncia, is described with the following specific 

 characters : " Felis cauda elongata, corpore albido ; macu- 

 lis irregularibus nigris : " which accord pretty well with the 

 figure here given. Buffon also describes the Ounce at 

 some length, and gives a figure of it ; but Cuvier seems to 

 doubt the existence of this animal as a distinct species. 

 After taking much pains to ascertain the truth, he states 

 his opinion to be, that the Once of Buffon is no other than 

 a variety of the Panther, because he has never been able to 

 meet with an animal or a skin corresponding with Buffon's 

 description ; he, therefore, omits it in his catalogue of Cats, 

 both in the Ossemens Fossils and in the Rcgne Animal. 



The figure of the animal here represented, is from a spe- 

 cimen brought from the shores of the Gulf of Persia, which 

 was in the Tower of London. It is very distinct from all 

 the other species in make, mark, and general appearance ; 

 and corresponds with Buffon's figure, which has been copied 

 by Schreber, Shaw, and others. It was about the size of a 

 Panther or Leopard. 



Major Smith has also met with a skin of this species 

 brought from the Gulf of Persia, from which he has made a 

 drawing in his collection. He conjectures it to be a moun- 

 tain species ; and, from the length of the fur, which is 

 shaggy, one that resides in the higher snowy regions of 

 northern Persia. 



It is with the utmost respect for the opinion of our author, 

 that we venture to present this figure, which may, indeed, 

 be only that of a variety of the Leopard. Indeed we are 

 well aware of the extreme risk incurred the moment we de- 

 part from his dicta or opinions, more especially in multi- 

 plying factitious species, an evil under which Zoology is at 

 present most grievously suffering. 



* Buffon says the word Once is a corruption from Lynx or Lunx, 

 and that he retained the name because the animal in question has 

 some affinity to the Lynx. 



