THE STORY OF THE FOSSA. 
403 
in a less perfect state at an earlier period of the earth’s development, and 
are called stealthy cats, including the palm-civets, civets, genets and mun- 
gooses. Should the body of a large, reddish-brown palm-civet be imbued with 
the lively, sportive nature, the intense elasticity and supple mobility of a true 
THE FOSSA 
cat, this unique animal would present in itself the combination of these con¬ 
tradictory features. The feet, which are furnished with curved, sharp, and 
somewhat retractable claws, are very similar to those of a cat, except that 
the whole sole of the hind pair is knotted, and applied to the ground in walk- 
