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Cacomitl Cat
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Length.—40 inches, tail 20 inches.
Description.—Nearly uniform smoky gray, somewhat lighter beneath, darker in winter.
Range.—Rio Grande Valley: exact range not ascertained. A similar animal, the Yaguarundi, ranges farther south through South America.
This is another Mexican visitor, belonging to the plain-coloured group of cats. A somewhat similar species, the Eyra (Felis eyra Fischer), may also occur within our limits. It is plain, reddish-brown, 32 inches in length.
A KEY TO THE GENERA OF NORTH
AMERICAN MAMMALS
Animals are classified scientifically into groups of different rank, known as orders, families and genera, and the technical name of any species consists of the name of the genus to which it belongs, coupled with its own individual specific name. If it shows definite variations in size, colour, etc., in different parts of its range, these geographic races are indicated by a third or sub-specific name.
In the preceding pages the mammals have been arranged by orders and families in their natural sequence, and the characters of these larger groups explained. Inasmuch as a large number of the genera of American mammals are represented in our limits by but a single species, it was not deemed advisable in a work of this kind to treat the several genera and the more minute characters upon which they are based under separate headings, especially as many of the generic characters are given in the descriptions of the species.
In order, however, to facilitate the identification of any mammal which the reader may have in hand, the following key has been prepared by which it may be traced to its genus, while the page numbers following refer directly to the body of the book where the descriptions of the several species may be found. In this key the most obvious generic characters are contrasted and the dentition of each genus is given. In stating the dental formula it will be understood that the figures indicate the number of teeth on one side of the jaws only, the number above the line referring to the upper jaw, that below to the lower; the letters indicate: i, incisors, c, canines, p, premolars, m, molars.
Only genera treated in the foregoing pages are included.
I. AQUATIC MAMMALS WITH THE LIMBS MODIFIED INTO FLIPPERS FOR SWIMMING.
A. No external trace of hind limbs; fore pair of flippers fin-like without claws; tail broad and flattened horizontally; little or no hair on the body.
B. Tail rhomboidal in outline, bluntly pointed at the tip; teeth, i 2/2, c 0/0, p 0/0, m 6/6-11/11 (Manatee)..... TRICHECHUS, 26
BB. Tail broadly forked at the end into two flukes (Whales and Dolphins).
C. Mouth enormous, without teeth, but provided with whalebone.
D. No fin on the back; throat not furrowed..... BALAENA, 13
DD. Dorsal fin present; throat furrowed longitudinally.
E. Flippers moderate, edges not scalloped..... BALAENOPTERA, 16
EE. Flippers very long, edges scalloped..... MEGAPTERA, 17
CC. No visible teeth and no whalebone..... HYPEROODON, 19
CCC. Jaws provided with teeth; no whalebone.
D. A single long tusk, projecting forward, no other teeth. MONOCERAS, 24
DD. No protruding tusk.
E. No teeth in the upper jaw.
F. Teeth in the lower jaw 20-25 on each side..PHYSETER, 17
FF. Teeth in lower jaw 4-I4 on each side.
G. Head protruding beyond the mouth, dorsal fin short, tail nearly square behind..... KOGIA, 18
GG. Head not protruding, dorsal fin high, tail deeply cleft. GRAMPUS, 23
FFF. Teeth in lower jaw one on each side.
G. Teeth at the front of the jaw..... ZIPHIUS, 19
GG. Teeth at the middle of the jaw.... MESOPLODON, 19
EE. Teeth in both jaws.
F. Teeth few; 8-13 on each side above and below.
G. Teeth confined to the front portion of the jaws. GLOBIOCEPHALUS, 23
GG. Teeth distributed all along the jaws.
H. An enormous dorsal fin, teeth 10/10-13/13..... ORCA, 23
HH. Dorsal fin wanting, teeth 9/9.. DELPHINAPTERUS, 24
FF. Teeth numerous, 22-50 on each side above and below.
G. A projecting snout or beak.
H. Teeth, 22/22..... TURSIOPS, 20
HH. Teeth, 37/34..... PRODELPHINUS, 21
HHH. Teeth, 47/46-50/51..... DELPHINUS, 21
GG. No projecting beak.
H. Beak a distinct rim; teeth, 35/37, LAGENORHYNCHUS, 22
HH. Beak entirely wanting; teeth, 26/26.... PHOCAENA, 22
AA. Both fore and hind flippers well develop, claws or nails present. Tail rudimentary; body covered with hair (Seals, etc.).
B. Body large and shapeless; long down-pointing tusks in the upper jaw; teeth, i 1/0, c 1/1, p 3/3, m 0/0..... ODOBENUS, 212
BB. Shape more graceful; no tusks.
C. Hind flippers capable of being turned forward for walking when on shore.
D. A dense soft under fur in addition to the long hairs which cover the body; teeth, i 3/2, c 1/1, p 4/4, m 2/1..... OTOES, 209