i7
ZOOLOGICAL
CANID.#¡ (Dogs, Foxes, Wolves and Jackals ; 104 Species).
Plate 5, Map v.
This family may almost be called cosmopolitan, as its members occur throughout the New World from Greenland to Patagonia and the Falkland Islands, while in the Old World they are found in every part of Europe, Asia and Africa. The West Indies, Madagascar, the Philippines, New Guinea and New Zealand, however, are entirely without representatives, while the only species found in Australia is a doubtful native, though occurring in a wild state at the present day.
Many well-known species have a remarkably wide distribution. Among these may be mentioned the Common Wolf (Canis lupus)—see map—which, excluding some of the domesticated dogs, is the largest living representative of the family. This fierce animal, formerly abundant in the British Islands, but extinct since the reign of Henry VII., now ranges over Europe and Northern Asia from France to Japan and southwards to Persia, Beluchistan and Northern India. An allied species or race is widely distributed in the New World from Greenland to Mexico. The Common Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the Jackal (Canis aureus)—see map—also furnish examples of very wide-ranging species, the former occurring in the Palsearctic, Ethiopian and Oriental regions, and also the Nearctic region, if we include several forms from North America, described by some authors as distinct species, but probably only local races.
The Antarctic Wolf (Canis antarcticus), a small species inhabiting the Falkland Islands, and the Magellanic Dog (C. magellanicus) are interesting as representing the family in the extreme south of the Neotropical region. The Dingo (C. dingo) is the only member of the family found in Australia. Some doubt exists as to the origin of this species, and it is commonly supposed to have been introduced by human agency, and to have sprung from some Asiatic form. It is found in considerable numbers throughout wooded districts, and is very destructive to sheep and poultry.
Other interesting species of Canidse are the Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus), which extends over the Polar regions of both Old and New Worlds, ranging as far south as Iceland and Northern Europe; the Coyote (Canis latrans), a species allied to the Common Wolf, and found in many parts of North America ; and the pretty long-eared Fennecs of Africa, placed in a separate genus (Fennecus) by some writers. The Cape Hunting-Dog (Lycaon pictus), found in S. and E. Africa, is a curious-looking blotchy or spotted animal, differing from all other members of the family in possessing only four toes to each foot. The Long-eared Dog (Otocyon megalotis), occurring in the same region as the last, but of somewhat more restricted range, is remarkable for its peculiar dental characters.
Lastly, the Bush-Dog (Icticyon venaticus) found in Brazil and British Guiana, is worthy of mention as likewise forming a genus to itself, on the ground of its singular tooth-formula.
The fur of many species of Canidse is of high value for cloaks and other articles of clothing. The Silver Fox (Vulpes argentatus) of the Canadian region, for instance, furnishes a hide valued at from ¿£100 to ¿£170.
Over 160 fossil species of Canidse have been described, many of which present characters which render the institution of separate sub-families■ necessary.
FELID#¡ (Cats, including the Lion, Tiger, Leopards, Jaguar, Puma,
Serval, Ocelot, Caracal and Lynxes ; 84 Species). Plate 5, Map vi.
Representatives of this important family are found in most parts of the world, with the exception of Madagascar and the Australian Region (a single species, however, occurring in the island of Timor). Many well-known animals are included in the typical genus Felis, which merit separate treatment. Of these the Lion (Felis leo)—see map—is undoubtedly the chief. At the present day it is chiefly found in Africa, occurring from Algeria to the Orange River, but also found in Mesopotamia, Persia and a limited area in the north-west of India. Formerly, within the historic period, this noble species had a more extensive range, covering not only the whole of Africa but also the south of Asia (including most of Northern and Central India), Syria, Asia Minor, and even South-eastern Europe. In Pleistocene times it penetrated as far as France, Spain and the British Isles, as testified by fossil teeth and bones which cannot be distinguished from those of the species as it now exists.
Next in importance is the Tiger (Felis tigris)—see map—an animal which can fairly dispute with the Lion its title of “King of Beasts.” It is confined to Asia, and has a remarkably wide distribution. Westwards its range is limited by the Caucasus, whence it extends through Northern Persia, Turkestan and Afghanistan across to Manchuria and the island of Saghalien. Southwards it is found all over the Malay Peninsula and Siam, and as far as Sumatra and Java. Although occurring throughout India it is entirely absent from Ceylon. In the Himalayas the Tiger occurs up to a height of 6000 or 7000 feet. In the colder regions it appears to form a distinct race, characterised by a thicker and longer coat.
The Leopard (Felis pardus) is still more widely distributed. It is a very variable species, and many names have been applied to its various forms. By the majority of writers, however, these are all considered to constitute a single species, including the larger and more robust varieties for which the popular name of Panther has been used. In Africa the Leopard occurs from Algeria, Egypt and Somaliland southwards to Cape Colony; in Asia it is met with throughout India, Ceylon, Burma and the Malay Archipelago, while further northwards it ranges from Syria and Persia across to Japan, not occurring, however, so far north as Siberia nor, like the Tiger, on the high Tibetan plateau. Remains of the Leopard have been found in caverns in Britain.
The Ounce or Snow Leopard (Felis uncia) is a beautiful creature whose habitat was for a long time unknown, but which is now proved to be a native of the high ranges of Central Asia, not occurring below an elevation of 8000 feet. It appears to range from the North-west Himalayas over
matter. The Brown Bear (TJrsus arctos) ranges over the whole of the Palse-arctic region, and was within the historical period a member of the British fauna. It has, however, long been extinct in these islands, and even in Europe its present habitats are chiefly confined to. Scandinavia, Russia, Hungary and the Pyrenean Mountains. The Grizzly Bear (Ursus horribilis) appears to represent this species in North America, ranging from Alaska to Mexico. Other well-known species are the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus), confined chiefly to the mountains in the Eastern United States; the Himalayan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) ranging from Persia through the Himalayas to Burma, Assam, China, Hainan and Formosa; and the small Malayan Bear (Ursus malayanus) foupd in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo, but also extending westwards to North-eastern India. The Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is interesting as being the sole representative of the family in South America, in the Andes. The Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus), one of the commonest mammals of India, is especially characteristic of that peninsula, occurring from the foot of the Himalayas to Cape Comorin, and also in Ceylon. It feeds on insects, fruit and honey, does not hibernate, and differs to a marked degree from all other members of the family, being placed in a genus to itself.
About 30 fossil species of Bears have been described from the Tertiary beds of both hemispheres, the Palaearctic region claiming half this number.
VIVERRID#¡ (Civets, Genets, Mungooses, the Fossa, &c.;
144 Species). Plate 5, Map i.
The members of this family are entirely confined to the Old World, and are especially characteristic of the Ethiopian and Oriental Regions. The only species occurring outside these areas are about half a dozen Genets (Genetta) found in southern Europe, Asia Minor and Palestine, and the Egyptian Mungoose or Ichneumon (Herpestes ichneumon), an animal held sacred by the ancient Egyptians and inhabiting the south of Spain, Asia Minor and Africa north of the Sahara. The Vivérridas are divided into three sub-families, namely, the Viverrinae, Herpestinse and Cryptoproctinse.
The first and typical sub-family {Viverrinae) includes, amongst others, the Civets (Viverra), the Genets (Genetta), the Palm-Civets (Paradoxurus), and a number of smaller genera containing less known forms. Both the Oriental and Ethiopian regions possess representatives of this sub-family, whose members are remarkably fierce and rapacious for their size. The typical Civets (Viverra), nine in number, are chiefly Oriental, two species only inhabiting tropical Africa, and one being confined to Java, Ceylon, Socotra, Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. The remainder range over India, Ceylon, the Burmese countries, &c., as far as Celebes, the Philippines and Amboyna. The Genets (Genetta) include, in addition to the Palaearctic species alluded to above, about 30 others which are purely African, ranging from Senegal and Abyssinia to the Cape. In Madagascar there occurs a remarkable representative of this sub-family, namely, Daubenton’s Civet (Fossa fossa).
The second sub-family (Herpestinae) contains the animals known as Mungooses (Herpestes, &c.), the Meerkat (Suricatd), and a few small genera. The majority of the species are Ethiopian, only 11 (belonging to the typical genus Herpestes) being found in the Oriental and Palaearctic regions. Half a dozen species, placed in four closely allied genera, are peculiar to Madagascar, and have been placed by some authors in a distinct subfamily.
The third sub-family (Cryptoproctinse) contains a peculiar animal confined to Madagascar, known popularly as the Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), and forming a connecting link between the present family and the Felidae, in which it is sometimes placed. Little is known of this creature’s habits, beyond the fact that it is nocturnal. It is about five feet in length and is the largest carnivore found in the interesting island it inhabits.
About 30 fossil species of Viverridie are known, which are chiefly from the European Tertiary beds.
PRO TEL ID#¡ (The Aard -Wolf or Earth-Wolf; 1 Species).
Plate 5, Map iv.
The curious and puzzling animal (Fróteles cristatus) for which this family has been constituted inhabits South and East Africa. It is closely allied to, and somewhat resembles, the Hysenas, though smaller in size and with a different arrangement of teeth. It is a burrowing and nocturnal animal, and feeds on decaying animal substances, larvae and termites. The Aard-Wolf is of a timid disposition and only rarely met with.
HY#¡NID#¡ (Hysenas; 17 Species). Plate 5, Map iv.
At the present day Hysenas are confined to the warmer regions of the Old World, though in former ages they were much more widely distributed. The Brown and the Spotted Hysenas (Hyaena brunnea and crocuta) are restricted to tropical and South Africa, ranging from Upper Egypt and Somaliland across to Senegal and southwards to the Cape. The Striped Hysena (H. striata) extends from Marocco and Algeria through Asia Minor, Egypt and Arabia to the Transcaspian region and India. It is doubtful whether the other forms recently described should rank as distinct species. Probably they are mere local races. About a dozen fossil species have been described, mostly from the Miocene and Pliocene of Europe and Asia.
The Cave-Hysena, formerly regarded as a distinct species under the name of Hyaena spelsea, but now recognised as a large race of the existing Spotted Hysena (H. crocuta) of Africa, was in prehistoric times a native of Britain, but not of Ireland. Its remains have been found in the Forest bed of Norfolk, and in cavern and other Pleistocene deposits in England and Wales.
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