562 Classification of Animals. 



of the intermediate forms necessary to show their connection ; as 

 there can be no doubt, from their dentition and carnivorous habits, 

 that these animals strictly belong to the Ferine order, and, as the 

 aquatic type must be followed by the typical group of the Feiidai. 



The seals, generally so called, whose natural history has hitherto 

 been much neglected, and the Morse or Walrus, are the only divi- 

 sions at present recognized. These animals, by their affinity to the 

 Dugongs, shew in what way the union of the Ferine order with the 

 Cetacean is effected. 



The Felidw or typical division of the rapacious animals comes next 

 under review. Of this family, as well as of the entire order, the 

 group including the lion, tiger, panther, and other cat-like animals, 

 is justly considered pre-eminently typical, and is designated as the 

 sub-family Felince. By the genus Cynailurus (hunting-leopard), 

 they pass into the next group composed of the hyaenas, whose union 

 with the dogs (Caninoe) is satisfactorily established by means of the 

 Canis venalica of Burchell, and the Lycaon Burchellii of Brooks. 

 In this latter group is included, not only the true dogs or genus 

 Canis, but the wolves, foxes, and the fennecs ( Canis cerda, Rupp.J 

 As the type of the fifth or aquatic group of the Felidae, he sug- 

 gests the probability of its being represented by the genus Thyla- 

 cinus, Temm. an animal of Australia, and formerly associated with 

 the oppossums, under the name of the dog-faced oppossum. Its den- 

 tition, however, as well as its form and habits, certainly indicate a 

 much nearer affinity to the Feiidee than the Didelphidee, although 

 possessing the marsupial pouch; and near to it also he would place the 

 Dasynrus ursinus, Temm. another large carnivorous marsupiate ani- 

 mal. It must be acknowledged, however, that further observation, 

 and a strict analytical investigation of the various groups, is neces- 

 sary, before the true station of these animals can be satisfactorily 

 established. The Mustelidx or weasel family, which form the sub- 

 typical division of the order, come next under consideration. They 

 are, he says, for the most part eminently carnivorous and ferocious, 

 yet of small size and slender shape. As they are more numerous 

 than the last family, their forms are more diversified, and we con- 

 sequently find that some of the aberrant divisions present a striking 

 difference from those which are typical. To the latter, however, 

 we must always direct our first attention, when endeavouring to de- 

 fine the leading characters of a family. The chief groups, therefore, 

 of the Mtistelidw are composed of the weasels and the polecats ; 

 these, by various intermediate genera, are connected with the racoons, 



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