18391 



in the Southern Mahratta Country. 



lor 



The large variety is found chiefly among the rocky hills to the east- 

 ward, the smaller is more common in the wooded country of the Mul- 

 nad. The former is a taller, slighter, more active animal, exceedingly 

 strong and fierce, the latter is smaller, and stouter, and varies much in 

 size, some being nut bigger than a large tiger-cat, though the skull prov- 

 ed them to he adult animals. The latter may be killed easily, while the 

 Honiga is a very formidable assailant ; and several instances occurred of 

 as many as four men having been killed by one, before it was put 

 hors de combat. 



The strongest marked difference of character that I observed, was in 

 the skulls, that of the Honiga being longer and more pointed, with a 

 ridge running along the occiput, and much developed, for the attach- 

 ment of the muscles of the neck — while those of the kerkal were roun- 

 der and the bony ridge was wanting. If this character is universal and 

 permanent, it will afford a good ground of distinction. 



At present I should be disposed to consider the Indian species as 

 consisting of three varieties r 



(a.) The larger or Honiga. 



(6.) Ditto of a uniform black colour, the spots appearing when the 

 light shines strongly on the skin, from the Malabar Coast. 

 (c.) The smaller variety or kerkal. 



The following are the dimensions of a very .large honiga killed in 

 the Mulnad : length of body from nose to insertion of tail 4 ft. 6 in. 

 tail 3-2 ; in all, 7-8 ; height at the shoulder 2ft. 3§in. from ends of toes 



to top of shoulder 2 — 7 ; circumference of the arm below the elbow 

 1-3 ; head 1-11. 



This was a very large male called by the natives a Mar honiga, stoutar 

 than the generality of the larger kind. 



27. — Felis Jubxta, Lin. 



Chita, Dakhani U.x>- 



Yuz, Hindustani of the trainers . , 



jH 



They are caught in the district and trained to kill the Antelope eervi 

 capra. They are taught always to single out the buck, which is gene- 

 rally the last in the herd ; the Meer Shikars are unwilling to slip until 

 they get the herd to run across them, when they drive on the cart, and 

 unhood the cheela. 



Siwungi, do. 



