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INTRODUCTION
1876.—W. T. Brasronn, ‘Jovavat, Astatie Soctery or Brxoat,
Felis shaiana from Yarkund deseribed. Species 41.
1877—P. L, Seraren, ‘Pnocreprxas or tne Zootooteat, Society or Loxnos:
A lighteoloured, darkspotted, long-haired specimen of F. jubata, Kral, described as Felis leno
CLASSIFICATION.
The Cat family is of very ancient lineages and while no wellaleveloped type of lis has been discovered ¢
shadowing the existing © of our own times. In the Miocen J down to the Post-Pliocene, lin
Sindee ete specs a by more of les numerous
amed over portions of both the New Old Wo his group belonged the terrible.
western hemisphere, whose upper canines were so enormously developed as to m the small k
ws when the jaws were st extent. A nearly perfect skeleton
which would than the lion of the prese
jy formed. A f for biting, it is supposed they were employed a
enalleadies d. ‘The. Miocene period was very rich in cate
‘ rs Felide of modern times. I cen and Plestocen
ot Honk a which probably if Tittle in appearan
nd Santord, this eat also i he New World
Soc. 1853, vol. x. pp. B19, 823) to le
During the sume period e eae iene)
the family was represented i . ats and other species, (stuf whid
Te will there « times ents or eat-like animals dwelt
relatives today, and fi
¢ surrounded. them.
viz, Fissipedia and
te from o by le skin
arate
suborders, the Flite
ef one of the
2 than that
of p
fulfil a mos
room fo . e, which moves the lower jaw and gives to it tremendous
INTRODUCTION
Pea thirty in number, the formula being i 55 e. [2h p. 80. The incisors
small, with a single fing, the two in the centre of the row heing the smallest, the outer one at each end tl
i The erowns of these teeth are generally much worn, and exhibit merely a transverse Farrow with an ie
prominence in front of it, The next tooth in the upper jaw is the caine, separated from the incisors hy a
is usually a large and strong tooth with a single thick fang. ‘The erown is curved and pointed, with
jove on its outer surfice, and one less marked on the inner, There is a welldleveloped ridge on the
A wide diastema separates the canine from the next tooth, the first premolar, which is very small, with
a conical crown. ‘The next or second premolar is larger, with a crown consist
triangular pointed cusp, with a small tuberele in front at base, and two behind--one in front of the other. Th
tooth Ins two fangs. The third premolar, called the sectoral, is the largest of all the teeth. ‘The erown as thre
casps, and one internal tubercle, the first eusp being the smallest and rather low and blunt ; the second is the largest
somewhat of x triangular shape directed backwards; the third is blunt and lower than the others.
the outer surface at the b usps is a sl On the inner side a sharp ridge connects. the
terior cusps with a dee The sectoral has ¢ to in front placed transversely
longer, behind. ‘The last tooth in the upper jaw is the molar, which is very stall, is set transversely
and a flattened crown. The lower jaw has also six incisors, smaller than those of the upper s
them shorter and more curved than the upper one, and which passes in front of
canine when the mouth is closed. ‘The a wide diastema separating the eanine from the first premol
hich is larger, but resembles. the corresponding tooth in the upper jaws, and has two fangs and) one lange
A triangular cusp, with a small one at the base in front and tw The second premolar is stil
also with two fangs and a crown similar to the tooth preceding it. ‘The molar or lower sectoral has
like the upper one, only two fangs, the hind one being much the smaller. The crown consists of two
separated by a deep notch, with « minute tubercle at the base of the hind
side of the p the inner side the erown is deeply hollowed out between the cusps. ‘These possess
very sharp ed th ent the opposing cusps of the upper sectoral, All the molar series
the lowe the upper, and thus eut the food as would a pair of seisiorblades, instead of
ear of the species of this family is covered thickly by strong spiny. paplle, which
in the larger species are so strong as to be used effectively in detaching flesh from the bones, as though file
were the employed. ‘This peculiarity of the tongue ean be easily perceived in a somewhat Himited
Agree in the domestic cat; for that member, when drawn across the finger, feels rough like sandpaper. ‘The pays
are lange and powerful, with five toes on the fore feet, of which the thied and fourth are equal and longest, the
fifth much shorter, and four toes on the hind feet with the third and fourth longest, and the second and” fifth
shorter and nearly equal. ‘The claws which arm the paws are terrible weapons, tearing and lacerating whatever th
nimal seizes. ‘They are retractle, and, when not employed, rest in a sheath which eovers and protects them from
injury. This is @ most important provision; for as the Cat is digtigrade (walking upon its toes and not upon the
sole of the foot), unproteeted claws would be liable to become blunted and
Tn the lange species the claws are frequently broken and split ut their . «
vl as they are softer beneath, they can be pulled away until they become sharp again. The points then frequent
w inconveniently long; and it is to fie themselves from this annoyance that Cats are in the habit of seratchi
at the trunks and limbs of trees, or, in the case of the domestic animal, at carpets and legs of chairs. In countries
such as Patagonia, where trees are scarce, these animals scratch deep scores in the hard soil to free thems
from lengthened claws
The skin of all Cuts hangs very loosely, and is capable of being drawn nearly halfway round the body,—a very
wise provision of nature; for if it were not so, in the various contliets with each other the animals’ sharp claws
‘would tear them, and otherwise inflict severe wounds; but as the skin yields, these weapons ean get no hold, and. are
rendered comparatively harmless.
Forty-two specie, inchuding the Domestic Cat, have boen recognized in this work as distinct ; and I have seen nothi
that has been advanced by any writer to cause me to alter any of the opinions expressed, or believe that more of the
forms should be accorded separate specific rank. There may be some specimens regarding whose exact position our present
knowledge does not permit us to determine definitely; but of these, many examples from diferent localities, if. the
hubitat is an extensive one, must be procured before it ean be decided whether the vatiations exhibited are or are not stich |