MAMMALIA. FJLRJE. Cat. 145 



Cerdo. Skioldebrand, aft. Suec. an. 1777, trim. 3. art. 7. t. '6.— Zerda. Perm, hift, of quad, 

 n. 148. t. xxviii. — Anonymous animal. Sm. BufF. viii. 283. pi. ccxciv. — Fcnnec. Bruce's Abyfiinia, 

 vol. v. 128. and pi. 



Inhabits the great African defert of Zaara, and in Lybia, on the fouth fide of a lake, formerly 

 called Palus Tritonites. — This animal is fmaller than the other Ipecies of the genus : It is very fwift of 

 foot, climbs trees, and lives on locufts and other infects; it barks, or rather yelps, like a young Dog. 

 Dr Gmelin is uncertain whether this animal fhould belong to this genus; and, from Mr Bruce's ac- 

 count, it certainly fhould not, fince it has retractile claws ; but, as that adventurous traveller has not 

 given a defcription by which the natur'alift can refer it to any particular part of fyftem, with a tol- 

 lerable degree of certainty, it may remain here until a fpecimen be brought to Europe for examina- 

 tion. It is between nine and ten inches long ; the ears are nearly five inches long, and proportion- 

 ally broad; the muzzle refembles that of a Fox; the toes have fhort retractile claws; the tail is long, 

 round, and pointed at the end ; the colour is white, mixed with a little grey and bright yellow ; the 

 ears are naked on the infide in the middle, but the reft of the infide is garnifhed with long white 

 hairs : the outfide is covered with brown hair, mingled with yellow : It lives on the palm trees, of 

 which it eats the fruit. 



XV. C A T.— 14. FE L IS 13. 



Has fix cutting teeth, all equal, and two tufks in each jaw, 

 and three tufks on each fide in both jaws: The tongue is 

 befet with rough papillae, which point backwards: The feet 

 are provided with fharp hooked claws, which are lodged in 

 a fheath, and may be extended or drawn in at pleafure: The 

 head is moftly round, and the vifage fhort. 



This genus is rather temperate in its natural appetite, though ferocious : It is tollerably fwift of foot, 

 very agile in climbing trees, and has the remarkable property of alighting on the feet, when acciden- 

 tally thrown, or falling, from a height, by which the danger, ufually attendant on fuch falls, is pre- 

 vented. The toes are all provided with very iharp hooked claws, which are retractile, and are always 

 kept inclofed in their fheaths to preferve them from injury, except when necefTary to feize on prey, 

 or for climbing : Almoft all the fpecies of this genus feize their prey by furprife, lying in wait till it 

 comes within reach, and then fuddenly fpringing forewards at one leap ; and, while the prey is in 

 fight, they have a cuftom of waving the tail from fide to fide : They moftly fuck the blood of fuch 

 animals as they catch before devouring them : They do not ufe vegetable food except from neceffi- 

 ty *. The females bring a confiderable number at a birth, and have all eight paps, whereof four are 

 fituated on the breaft, and four on the belly. 



This genus, is very conveniently arranged, by Mr Pennant, in two fubdivifions, having long and 

 port tails, which are adopted in this edition. — T. 



Vol. I. T * 



* Glans penis muricatus retrorfum.^ — Gra.. 



