FELIS TRISTIS.
FO N T A N IE R ’S S PO T T E D CAT.
FELIS TRISTIS, Alp. Milne-Edw. Recher. des Mamm. (1 8 7 2 ) p. 223, pl. xxxi.
H a b . China, Ztchuan? (F o n t a n i e r ).
T h i s apparently distinct species was first characterized hy M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards (I. c.) ; but beyond the fact that
the skin was purchased by M. Fontanier at Pekin, and that it was said to have come from the interior of China, nothing
is known in regard to it. The skin was in a very bad condition; and the skull was wanting. In size this animal would
seem to be about equal to F. pardina, or the Spanish Lynx, being 33 inches in length from the nose to the root of the tail,
while the tail itself is 16 inches long. My description and figure here given were taken from the type, at present unique in
Europe; but before we can arrive at a satisfactory idea of the animal’s appearance we must wait for the acquisition of
perfect specimens. At present, so far as I can judge, it seems to have some affinity to Felis marmorata in the shape and
distribution of its markings, and in the long bushy tail.
Fur soft and long. General colour light bluish grey, inclining to yellowish. Three or four blackish brown lines,
beginning in the centre of the head, between the ears, run along the whole length of the back; rest of body, flanks, and
legs covered with large spots of dark brown. Underparts lighter than the upper, less profusely marked and spotted with
brown. Two bars of rufous brown pass across the upper part of the breast. Tail very long and bushy, rufous brown above,
yellowish brown beneath, the upper part presenting a series of obscure dark brown bars.