MAMMALIA. 



17 



duces a deep brown tint, which is almost uniform throughout the body 

 and limbs. On the head the yellowish colour predominates over the black, 

 excepting on the tip of the muzzle, and thence back to the eye, where the 

 hairs are of a brownish black colour. On the throat the hairs are brown. The 

 underside of the tarsus is black, and on the outer side of the fore-foot there 

 is a black mark which extends upwards on to the wrist. The tail is long and 

 bushy ; towards and on the base, the hairs are annulated with black and 

 yellow, like those of the body ; but beyond this they are of a more uniform 

 colour, each hair being brown at the base, and gradually shaded into black 

 towards the tip. The ears are small and rounded, and covered with hairs 

 of the same colour as those on the head. The claws are of a large size, and 

 white colour ; the toes are united for a considerable portion of their length 

 by the interdigital membrane. 



Length from nose to root of tail . 

 to base of ear . 



In. 



. 25 

 3 



Lines. 

 

 6 



Length of ear .... 

 Height of body at shoulders 



In. 



1 



. 12 



Lines 





 



of tail (hairs included) 



. 19 













Habitat, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. {May.) 



" This cat was given me by an old Portuguese priest, who had hunted it down 

 in a thick forest with a small pack of dogs, after a severe chase. It was killed 

 near the Gavia mountain, at the distance of a few miles only from Rio de 

 Janeiro, where it was considered uncommon." D. Although small, compared 

 with the Puma, (Felis concolor, Auct.), this cat, in its slender lengthened body, 

 small head, long tail, and stout limbs, decidedly evinces an affinity to that species. 

 According to the dimensions of the Yagouaroundi given by Azara, Desmarest, and 

 Temminck, it appears that the tail is considerably shorter in proportion in the 

 specimens examined by those naturalists, than in the present individual, and the 

 difference was such, as to induce Mr. Martin to believe that the latter was a 

 distinct species ; he accordingly proposed for it the specific name of Darwinii. At 

 the time that Mr. Martin described the specimen alluded to, I was also inclined 

 to believe it was a distinct species. I mention this because I am afraid my 

 opinion had a slight share in influencing Mr. Martin's determination. I have 

 since seen many specimens, and upon comparing their dimensions, I find that the 

 proportionate length of the tail varies more than is usual in other species of cats, 

 and that the difference in the length in this member is not combined with any 

 other distinguishing character. In colouring there is also a considerable varia- 

 tion, some specimens being almost black, and having the hairs but obscurely 

 annulated with white ; in others, the hairs are more distinctly annulated, and 

 the head assumes a grayish hue. Others again, are brown, or black brown, 



n 



