1847.] On the Cat-toed Sub-plantigrades. 1127 



experience, we have in the story of Bosnian's Negroes as in that of 

 Mr. Gardner's Mali, a strong proof how " practice will creep where 

 theory can hardly soar ;" for the Negroes decided before Cuvier or 

 Geoffroy that the Potos were Lemur allies, just as the Mali multiplied 

 his tea plants by grafting on the Camelia (Kisi) at a time when emi- 

 nent Botanists held the notion to be absurd !* 



That the second series of animals I have grouped together above 

 are more nearly related among themselves than to the first series seems 

 probable ; but that the first series also blend with them in some re- 

 markable points any one may satisfy himself by comparing Dr. Can- 

 tor's details of Arctictis (Journal, No. 171) and mine of Paradoxu- 

 rus (Trans. Vol. 19), with those above given and referred to, when 

 he will perceive that the Benturong, notwithstanding its Ailurine affi- 

 nities, is linked to the Screwtails and not to the Wahs, by its large 

 linear-pupiled eyes, nocturnal habits, sub-carnivorous regimen, ccecuni 

 and euodean preputial apparatus, and to the Potos by the two first 

 marks ; whilst the peculiarities of the tails of the three animals, 

 though not quite identical, yet constitute a common and antiailurine 

 feature. I must not enlarge further however at present on the sub- 

 ject of these real and supposed affinities. 



Ere long I trust to be able to complete my report of the Ailurine 

 osteology, and in the meanwhile I shall terminate this account of the 

 Wah with a full statement of the dimensions of a mature male and 

 female. 



Male. Female. 



Snout to vent, 110 110 



Head to the occiput, . ' 5 \ 5 \ 



Tail only, 1 4 1 4 



Tail and hair, 1 6 1 5 £ 



* A fact which occurred in 1823—4, at Cathmandu, where fine Chinese tea plants have 

 long- existed, brought from China in 1790, by Cashmiris/frorn which Dr. Abel was abun_ 

 dantly and speedily supplied to his surprise, by the Mali's practical science, who when 

 questioned by Dr. A. 's desire, why he had thought of grafting a Thea on a Camelia 

 replied with greater surprise, because the two were evidently of the same genus ( Jat) ! 

 The Kisi is indigenous and abundant in Nepal. The teas flower and fruit abundantly. 

 almost perpetually, but the seeds seldom vegetate. The Kisi is as abundant at Dorjiling 

 as at Cathmandu, and the Chinese tea plant flourishes as well here as there, soih.it 

 if more plantations are needed, here is a fine site for some. 



7 G 



