1872.] 159 | [Shaler. 
after the autumnal moult, inhabiting respectively dry and moist re- 
gions, than between birds taken towards the close of the breeding 
season, it was apparent that the intense sunlight and the dry winds 
of arid districts do exercise a bleaching effect upon the colors 
of birds, and also of mammals, and is the cause of the faded 
and weather-worn aspect of the birds of the dry regions of the in- 
terior of the continent so especially noticeable towards the end of 
the breeding season. 
Prof. W. H. Niles remarked that the researches of Mr. 
Allen were of great interest to the student of physical geog- 
raphy, as well as to the ornithologist and zoologist. ‘To what 
extent the present geographical features and the climate gov- 
ern the distribution of animal life is, as yet, but very imper- 
fectly understood ; but in Mr. Allen’s published works he has 
given a valuable contribution to this very important part of 
geographical knowledge. He has deciphered the geographical 
range and distribution of species, and described “ realms, prov- 
inces, faunze and ornithological districts,” not simply as an or- 
nithologist, but with that clear ang comprehensive knowledge 
of climate and physical features which gives a geographical 
interest and value to his work. 
Other members also spoke in praise of Mr. Allen’s work. 
NotTE ON THE ORIGIN OF OUR Domestic Cat. By N. S. 
SHALER. 
The derivation of most of our domesticated animals is so doubtful that 
any evidence which may serve to show the source whence they have 
sprung must be welcome to naturalists. Our domestic cat has been re- 
garded as the progeny of various wild forms. ‘The first and most gen- 
erally entertained opinion was that it came from the Melis catus L., of 
western Asia and eastern Europe; but since the publication of the Zoo- 
logical atlas of Rippel this view has been replaced by that therein set 
forth, viz., that our domesticated form was derived from the Felis 
maniculata Rup., of North Africa. I propose to show that there are 
reasons for supposing that the former view is by far the most reasona- 
ble, and that the stock of Northern Europe and America, at least, is 
derived from the first named of those species, although somewhat 
“mixed, it may be, with the blood of the African form. 
With the desire to fix this point I have for some time been engaged 
s 
