FEUS GRACILIS, 
animal, and indicate considerable vigour in the posterior extremities. The toes are 
thickly covered with a soft and very delicate fur, which likewise occupies the in- 
terstices, and extends to the soles of the feet, as completely as in other species of 
the genus Felis. The claws are minute, sharp, transparent, and retractile ; they are 
entirely concealed by the fur. The covering is remarkably soft and delicate; the hair 
forming the coat, is of moderate length, silky at the base, and closely arranged, so as 
to render it very pleasant to the touch. The tail is nearly equal in length to the 
body, exclusive of the head ; it is perfectly cylindrical, fully and thickly covered 
with a long silky spreading fur, and Ijeautifully marked with seven rings. 
The strong contrast winch exists between the pale yellowish white of the throat, 
belly, back, and tail, and the deep brown bands and spots on which the specific 
character is founded, gives the Delundung a striking appearance. Its elegance when 
alive, is perhaps not surpassed by any species of the genus Felis : and the specimen 
belonging to the Honourable East India Company's Museum, after a lapse of four- 
teen years, has preserved a considerable share of beauty. On a ground of pale 
yellowish white, which covers the throat, breast, belly, sides, and part of the back 
and tail, the distinguishing marks of a deep brown colour inclining to black, are 
arranged in the following manner : — Four transverse bands, gradually increasing in 
breadth, cover the back at intervals between the limbs ; on the rump are two narrow 
bands ; two longitudinal stripes take their origin, one between the ears, the other near 
the posterior angle of the eye, on each side, and pass, with interruptions at the 
transverse bands, to the thighs, where they are continued by numerous large spots 
which cover these parts. From the shoulders and thighs, several obscure stripes pass 
to the feet, which have a dusky gray colour. Between the origin of the longitudinal 
stripes of the body, and the transverse bands of the back, two smaller stripes are 
placed, which unite on the lower part of the neck, from the opposite sides. 
I discovered this animal in the year 1806, during the early period of my researches 
in the district of Blambangan, situated at the eastern extremity of Java : the natives 
here distinguish it by the name Dklcxdung. I have not been able to ascertain that 
it is found in any other part of the Island, or that it has another name. Even in 
Blambangan it is rarely met with. It inhabits the extensive forests, which, vnth 
the exception of the capital of Banyuwangi, and a few small villages, cover this 
district Of its particular habits and manners, the natives could give me but little 
information. To observe and study these, as well as for the purpose of delineation, 
I obtained, after much research, a second individual ; but this soon made its escape, 
and since this period I have not been able to find it in any part of Java. 
In a manuscript catalogue, which I forwarded to the Honourable Directors of 
the East India Company, in the year 1812, this animal was noticed as a species of 
Viverra, with the specific name of Delundung. 
