5b MAMMALIA— ORDER IV. — CARNIVORA. 



portion of the year. Whether the Canadian lynx {¥. camMdsnsis) is distinct 

 from the common lynx {F. lynx) of Europe and Northern Asia is a moot 

 point ; but the Spanish lynx (F. pardina) is a well-marked form. 



The slender-bodied and long-limbed cat, known as the hunting-leopard 

 {Cyncelurus jii.battis), is referred to a genus apart from the otlier members of 



the family on account of the claws be- 

 ing only partially retractile, although 

 their extremities are protected by 

 sheaths ; while a further point of dis- 

 tinction is to be found in the rudi- 

 mental condition of the tubercle on 

 the inner side of the upper carnassial 

 tooth. The hunting-leopard, which 

 is found both in India and Africa, has 

 the fur marked with solid black spots. 

 In habits it differs somewhat from the 

 true cats — two individuals hunting 

 Fig. 32.— Spanish Lynx (Felis pardina). together, and making a, simultaneous 



sudden rush when their prey comes 

 within striking distance. These animals are kept for hunting in India. 



The nearest allies of the cats are the great tribe of civets, palm-civets, 

 mungooses, etc., all of which differ from the FeliJcE in that the auditory 

 bulla of the skull is marked by a transverse external con- 

 Civet Tribe. — striction, indicating the position of the internal bony 

 Family septum, while the middle pair of lower teeth are raised 



Viverridce. above the level of the other two, as in all other land Carniv- 

 ora. From the living Felidce the Viverridce are further dis- 

 tinguished by the more numerous series of teeth, the number of premolars 

 varying from three to four on each side of the jaws ; while there are generally 

 two pairs of molars in each jaw, although occasionally these may be reduced 

 to a single pair in the upper, and very rarely also in the lower jaw. The 

 toes, which may be either digitigrade or plantigrade, are generally five in 

 number on each foot, although they may be reduced to four in either the 

 front or hind pair, or even in both. Considerable difierence obtains in regard 

 to the retractibility of the claws, and likewise as to the extent to which the 

 sole of the hind-foot is clothed with hair. From ordinary cats civets differ 

 externally in the more elongated form of the body, the longer head and 

 sharper muzzle, and the shorter legs ; although in these respects they are 

 approached by the eyra. In coloration they are generally striped, spotted, 

 or blotched ; some of them having distinct longitudinal stripes, which are 

 never seen in the cats. The family is strictly confined to the Old World, 

 exclusive of Australia and Papua, and attains its maximum development in 

 Africa and the Oriental countries — Europe having only a couple of species 

 in its southern districts. Madagascar is the home of several peculiar genera. 

 Upwards of twenty-three distinct generic types are now recognised. 



The most aberrant of all is the fossa {Cnjptuprocta ferox) of Madagascar, 



which in the number and structure of its teeth approaches the cats, and is 



regarded by many authorities as entitled to constitute a 



Fossa (Crypto- family by itself. In the form of tlie auditory bulla of the 



procta). skull this animal is somewhat intermediate between the 



civets and the mungooses ; and each foot has five toes, with 



, completely retractile claws. There are four pairs of premolar teeth, of 



