MAMMALIA. 351 
Civets (Viverridz).—This large family has no repre~ 
sentatives in America—the civets, genets, and ichneumons 
being characteristic of Africa and the Oriental region. 
Allied are the hyenas (Ayende), found in India and Asia 
Minor and Africa. 
Cat (Felide).—The cats, of all the Carnivora, are the 
most beautiful and active. Their bodies are shapely, 
‘many presenting a noble appearance, the type of grace and 
power. The head is short and broad, the feet armed with 
powerful, retractile, sheathed claws (Fig. 373), five on the 
Fic. 373.—Claws of the cat or tiger: A, claw held back by the strong liga- 
ment /; ZB, claw pulled forward by the tendon ¢ being drawn back, so 
that / is stretched out. 
fore-feet and four behind, the soles hairy, and provided with 
soft, elastic pads that aid in their stealthy approach upon 
prey. The tongue is provided with a rasping surface, 
composed of sharp recurved prickles ; the limbs are power- 
ful and adapted for prodigious leaps, for which nearly all 
the family are noted. The hunting leopard (Feli3 jubata), 
of southern India and Africa, is an interesting form, 
and a rapid runner, being employed in hunting by the 
natives. The claws are retractile,* but in their action more 
like those of the dog. 
The lynxes (Zynx), of which four species are known 
in North America, are characterized by thick-set bodies, 
the tail short and truncated, and ears ornamented with 
tips. The American wild cat attains a length of about 
twenty-eight and three quarter inches, the tail seven inches, 
* Claws are retractile when they are held back naturally by the 
muscles, and thus prevented from wearing away, only being extended 
when wanted to secure prey or assist in climbing. 
