MANGUSTA JAVANICA. 
For the purpose of following me in one of the most essential points of this 
description, I beg the reader to take before him the Plate of Illustrations contained 
in the First Number, and that wliich is annexed to the present Number, of these 
Researches. It will then be perceived that between the grinders of the Felis gracilis, and 
of the Mangusta javanica, there is a great resemblance. In the grinders of the upper jaw 
of the Felis gracilis this resemblance appears indeed only partially. The view which, in 
making the delineation, was taken from the specimen prepared for the Museum, did 
not exhibit the tuberculous tooth with the minuteness of detail that woidd have been 
desirable ; and what appears a single posterior tuberculous tooth, will probably, on 
an inspection of the naked cranium, be found to consist of two teeth placed in close 
contact: but the contour and separate parts of the other teeth are given with a 
degree of accuracy sufficient for my present purpose. In the grinders of the lower 
jaw this resemblance is strong and apparent : thus, with the exception of the additional 
heel of the base of the three first false grinders, these teeth, in both animals, are 
perfectly similar ; and in the most characteristic tooth, the fifth grinder, being the 
true carnas&ier, or carnivorous tooth, it is difficult to perceive any difference what- 
ever. But if the comparison be extended to the front teeth of these two animals, 
they will be found to be perfectly dissimilar. The front teeth of Mangusta 
javanica have all the characters of the Viverrine animals enumerated — namely, 
Genetta, Viverra, (as above limited,) Suricata, (agreeably to Desmarest and Illiger,) 
and Mangusta; wliile the Felis gracilis will be found strictly to agree with the teeth 
of Feline animals. After these remarks relating to the teeth alone, I proceed to com- 
pare the other characters of Felis gracilis with those of Viverrine animals generally. 
The Felis gracilis, exclusive of the lengthened muzzle and slender body, has the 
general physiognomy of Feline animals. Its claws are completely sheathed, and 
retractile, and its feet have precisely the same covering, disposition, and attitude 
as those of Cats ; with tins difference, that Felis gracilis has five toes to the hind feet, 
while the genus Felis, as previously known, has only four. To afford a distinct 
view of this most essential character, care has been taken both in the plate of details 
and in the figure of Felis gracilis. This animal further agrees with the Feline tribe 
in the absence of the anal folliculus, or pouch. Of this I am enabled to judge, by the 
complete absence of all odour during the period I had it in confinement. The 
Viverrine animals hitherto known, and particularly the Mangusta javanica, have 
long, naked, horny claws, which, although defined semi-retractile and semi-vaginate, 
possess this property in a very slight degree, and are more properly fitted for burrowing 
in the earth, which many of them, and particulary the Mangustae, perform with great 
dexterity. They have, without exception, either simple follicules, gradually larger 
in size in the successive genera, according to the order in which they have been 
enumerated, or an extensive anal pouch or sack. Their tail is in a greater or less 
