P R E F A C E .
.1. in the Paris Museum, and to the late Prof. Gervais for giving me unrestricted access to the skulls and
skeletons in the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes, I am much indebted. To the late Dr. J. E. Gray, who permrtted
me to ~ his types and also aU the material connected with this Family contained the British Museum,
and to Dr. Peters for the privilege of studying the specimens and skulls of the Felidte in the Berlin Museum, I am
under many obligations. I would also express my acknowledgments to Prof. Baird for facilities given for inspecting
the material in the Smithsonian Institution, and to Mr. E. W. H. Holdsworth for the loan of examples of
F. rub'Hj'mosa from Ceylon, which were of much importance in determining the specific value of the so-called P.
jerdmi. I am also greatly obliged to the Directors of various Zoological Societies in many cities for assistance rendered
to enable me to examine the living animals contained in their gardens.
I t is quite unnecessary for me to call attention to the Plates which ornament this volume. They are worthy of
the great artist who produced them, and they bear an enhanced value from the fact that they constitute the last
series of drawings from my friend’s magical pencil that will be devoted to scientific illustration.
Mr. J. Smit, who lithographed the plates of several of my previous works, has been most successful in placing
upon the stones Mr. Wolfs beautiful paintings.
The publication of the work has extended over more time than was originally expected; but the preparation of the
Plates could not be hurried, and I desire to thank my Subscribers for patiently awaiting its termination.
D. G. E.
I N T R O D U C T I O N .
T h e F e l id a e , or the great Family of the Cats, contains those Beasts of Prey which are the most perfect in
organization, attractive in appearance, and terrible in destructive power. Those dreadful weapons of offence, the
teeth and claws, reach their fullest development in the members of this Family, and enable their possessors to lead a
life of rapine and carnage, which is equally their deUght and the object for which they were called into existence.
Their lithe and agile forms are clothed in coats of brilliant colours, varied by fanciful markings of opposing hues;
while their easy carriage and proverbially silent movements constitute, in their attractive grace, the very poetry of
motion.
As has been my usual custom in works of this description, I shall first review the Literature of the Family
from the time of Linnaeus, then discuss the Classification, afterwards recapitulate the Genera which have been proposed
by different authors, to be followed by an investigation of the Geographical Distribution of the species, and lastly
present in the various articles the synonymy and life-history of each, as fully as our present knowledge enables me
to do. We have first, then, to consider the Literature of the Family, the review of which I commence with the twelfth
edition of Linnaeus’s ‘ Systema Naturae,’ published in 1766.
LITERATURE OF THE FAMILY.
1766.—L iN N iE u s , ‘ S y s t e m a N a t u r /e . ’
Seven species of the Felidae are described, all of which are acknowledged at the present day. They are
F. leo, tigris, pardus, onca, pardalis, catus, and lynx. Species 7.
1771.—L in n j s u s , ‘ M a n t i s s a . ’
Fel/s concolor described. Species 8.
1772—73.—P a l l a s , ‘ V e r s c h i e d e n e P r o v in z e n d e s R u s s i s c h e n R e i c h s . ’
Felis manul described. Species 9.
1776 . GtlLDENSTiEDT, IN ‘ NOV. CoMM. P e TROP.’
Three species appear to be described, viz. F. rufa, caracal, and chaus. Species 12.
1 7 7 7 .— E r x l e b e n , ‘ S y s t e m a R e g n i A n im a l i s .’
Fifteen species are enumerated, twelve of which are valid, and four described for the first time, viz. F. uncia,
jubata, tigrina, and sewal. Species 16.
1778 . SCHREBER, ‘ S aUGETHIERE.’
Eighteen species are given, but no new ones are described. The list is practically the same as that of Erxleben.