158 RECREATIONS OF A NATURALIST 



From a general review of the existing species of 

 Felidse, it appears that they may be conveniently 

 grouped into three well-defined genera — (i) The 

 typical genus Felis, which includes by far the 

 greatest number of species (thirty-four) ; (2) the 

 genus Lyncus, comprising the short, thick-set 

 animals, with large tufted ears and short thick tails 

 (six species) ; and (3) the genus Cyncelurzis, which 

 includes but a single aberrant form — the Cheeta — 

 a small-eared, long-legged, and long-tailed animal, 

 differing from all other cats in its dentition and in 

 having claws which are not retractile.^ 



As to the geographical distribution of the Felidse, 

 representatives of the family are to be found in all 

 parts of the world, with the exception of Australia, 

 New Zealand, South-east Malayasia, the Polynesian 

 Islands, Madagascar, and the Antilles. 



By far the largest number of species occur in 

 Asia, where at the present time at least five-and- 

 twenty different kinds are known to exist. The most 

 notable of these are the Lion, Tiger, Leopard, or 

 Panther, Snow Leopard, Clouded Tiger, four of 

 species Lynx, and the Cheeta or Hunting Leopard, 

 the remainder consisting of some sixteen or seven- 

 teen species of smaller cats. 



In the south-east of Asia the Lion and Tiger 

 meet on common ground. The Lion, however, has 

 his stronghold in Africa, and is comparatively scarce 

 to the east and north of Guzerat. The Tiger, on 

 the other hand, is unfortunately but too numerous 



1 The popular name for this animal is derived from the 

 Hindustani Chita. 



