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Show 876 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TAPIRID.E. [Nov. 14, Museum are few in number, and not in a very perfect state; but can scarcely think that this Cat can be tbe young state of Felis affinis from Nepal. It is doubtless the Cat that Mr. Blyth confounds with the Egyptian Cat (F. chaus, Geoff.), stating that it is "the common animal of Bengal" (see P. Z. S. 1863, p. 186), and that, as in the case of many common animals, its skins are rarely brought to Europe. It seems spread over various parts of India, as the specimens in the British Museum were sent from the Matoralla territory by Sir Walter Elliot, and from Gangootra. The third species of Chaus in the British Museum is the beautiful animal that I figured in the ' Illustrations of Indian Zoology' as Felis ornata. The small specimen of the species in the British Museum is not in a very good state. Chaus ornatus is of a pale, more or less bright, yellow-brown colour, with transverse bands of nearly uniform-sized roundish blackish spots on the body. The spots are larger, darker, and closer together on the thighs and upper parts of the legs. The tail has some black rings near the end, and a small black tip. Hab. Northern India (Capt. Boys). This does not appear to be a common Cat in India, as we have only received a single half-grown example, which was purchased at the sale of Capt. Boys's specimens ; and I do not find it described in any systematic work, nor do I recollect to have seen any specimens of it in continental collections. In his crude paper ou the Asiatic species of the genus Felis (P.Z.S. 1863, p. 185), Mr. Blyth places Felis ornata under Felis torquata, observing that the figure is "very bad." If he had compared the specimen in the British Museum with the figure, he must have reversed this note; for it is very characteristic, but is taken from a larger and brighter specimen. Mr. Blyth, when he saw the specimen in the Museum collection, in his usual offhand manner, said it is only one of the numerous varieties of the common Indian Cat. This species is quite distinct from the Cat that Sir William Jardine afterwards figured as Felis ornata in the ' Naturalist's Library,' Felidce, t. 28. 9. Notice of a New Species of American Tapir, with Observations on the Skulls of Tapirus, Rhinochcerus, and Elasmognathus in the Collection of the British Museum. By Dr. J. E. G R A Y , F.R.S., V.P.Z.S., F.L.S. (Plate XLII.) The British Museum having recently received the skulls of some specimens of American Tapirs in different states of development, I have been induced to reexamine the series of skulls in the collection, and herewith send the notes which I have made during the process. Mr. Sclater has kindly presented to the Museum the skull of an |
