Cassell's Natural History, Vol. 2 (of 6)

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                          Transcriber’s Notes

    This e-text is based on ‘Cassell’s Natural History, Vol. II,’ from
    1896. Inconsistent and uncommon spelling and hyphenation have been
    retained; punctuation and typographical errors have been corrected.

    The spelling of toponyms might differ slightly from today's
    orthographical conventions.

    _Underscores_ have been used to indicate italic text in the
    original. Small capitals have been converted to UPPERCASE LETTERS.

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[Illustration: THE QUEEN’S LION IN THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS, LONDON.

(_From a Photograph by Symmons and Co., Chancery Lane, taken expressly
for this work._)]




                               CASSELL’S

                            NATURAL HISTORY

                               EDITED BY

            P. MARTIN DUNCAN, M.B. (LOND.), F.R.S., F.G.S.

 PROFESSOR OF GEOLOGY IN AND HONORARY FELLOW OF KING’S COLLEGE, LONDON;
    CORRESPONDENT OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA

                               VOL. II.

                             _ILLUSTRATED_

                     CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED
                      _LONDON, PARIS & MELBOURNE_
                                 1896

                          ALL RIGHTS RESERVED




                          THE LAND CARNIVORA.

  PROFESSOR W. KITCHEN PARKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., &c., AND PROFESSOR T.
                            JEFFERY PARKER


                   THE AQUATIC OR MARINE CARNIVORA.

             JAMES MURIE, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c.


                               CETACEA.

                       JAMES MURIE, M.D., LL.D.


                               SIRENIA.

                       JAMES MURIE, M.D., LL.D.


                             PROBOSCIDEA.

  PROFESSOR WILLIAM BOYD DAWKINS, M.A., F.R.S., &c., AND H. W. OAKLEY.


                              HYRACOIDEA.

    PROFESSOR WILLIAM BOYD DAWKINS, M.A., F.R.S., AND H. W. OAKLEY.


                        UNGULATA:--

                            PERISSODACTYLA:
                                EQUIDÆ,
                                TAPIRIDÆ,
                                RHINOCEROTIDÆ,

                            ARTIODACTYLA:
                                SUIDÆ,
                                HIPPOPOTAMIDÆ.


      PROFESSOR WILLIAM BOYD DAWKINS, M.A., F.R.S., H. W. OAKLEY,
               AND PROFESSOR A. H. GARROD, M.A., F.R.S.




CONTENTS.


    THE CARNIVORA.

    CHAPTER I.

    INTRODUCTORY REMARKS--THE CAT FAMILY.      PAGE

    THE CARNIVORA--Division into Terrestrial (Fissipedia)
    and Aquatic (Pinnipedia)--Introductory Remarks on the
    FISSIPEDIA--Their Relations to Man and to other Animals--Their
    Distribution over the Surface of the Globe--Their
    Structure--The Diversity of their Form and Habits--Their
    Division into Lesser Groups--THE CAT FAMILY--Their Geographical
    and Chronological Distribution--Their Skeleton--The
    Peculiarities of their Skull, Teeth, &c.                           1


    CHAPTER II.

    THE CAT FAMILY--THE LION.

    THE LION--Its Geographical Distribution at the Present
    Day and in Ancient Times--Its Haunts--Varieties of the
    Lion--Distinction between the Lion and other Cats--Its Courage,
    Speed, and Strength--Its Roar--Its Supposed Magnanimity--Its
    Habits--Man-eating--Occasional resort to Vegetable
    Diet--Love-making--The Lion-cubs and their Education--Old
    Age--Breeding in Captivity--Lion Hunting                          14


    CHAPTER III.

    THE CAT FAMILY--THE TIGER AND THE LEOPARD.

    THE TIGER--Its Colour, Size, &c.--Geographical
    Distribution--Mention of the Tiger by Ancient
    Writers--Habits of the Tiger--Its Destructiveness--Native
    Superstitions--Tiger-hunting--THE LEOPARD--Historical
    Account--External Characters--Size--Geographical
    Distribution--Varieties--Habits--Love of Dog-meat--Clay-eating
    Propensities--Attracted by Small-pox Patients                     30


    CHAPTER IV.

    THE CAT FAMILY--THE JAGUAR--THE SMALLER WILD CATS--THE DOMESTIC CAT.

    THE JAGUAR--Its Character, Distribution, and Habits--Fondness
    for Negroes--THE PUMA--Its Character, Geographical Range,
    and Habits--Mode of Hunting the Puma--THE OUNCE--THE CLOUDED
    TIGER--The Character of its Fur, &c.--Its Habits--THE
    OCELOT--THE MARBLED TIGER-CAT--THE VIVERRINE CAT--THE
    PAMPAS CAT--THE LONG-TAILED TIGER-CAT--THE MARGAY--THE
    COLOCOLO--THE JAGUARONDI--THE EYRA--THE SE