THE ASWAIL, OR SLOTH BEAR. 327 



settle into a firm and white substance, which has the property of remaining untainted even in 

 that heated climate, where, if no such precaution were taken, it would in a very few hours 

 become a mass of putrescent abomination. The prepared fat is especially valuable for gun- 

 locks, as it preserves the bright steel from rust, and does not clog with constant service, as is 

 the case with almost every other animal oil. 



In connection with this subject it may be as well to mention that the ordinary "trotter 

 oil," or "neats' -foot oil," maybe prepared for the most delicate work in a similar manner. 

 If a bottle of this oil be placed in the sun's rays, and a few strips of lead dropped into the 

 vessel, an extraordinarily heavy deposit begins to take place, and fills the lower part of the 

 bottle. The upper part, however, remains bright and limpid as crystal, and by a repetition of 

 the same process may be so effectually purified that it will never be liable to that annoying 

 viscidity which detracts so much from the value of animal oils that have been for some time in 

 use. It is in this manner that watch makers purify the oil for the lubrication of the delicate 

 machinery of their trade. 



Very little is known of the habits of this Bear while in its wild state, but it would appear 

 from the conduct of two young animals that inhabited the same cage in the Zoological Gar- 

 dens, that it must be a gentle and affectionate creature. 



It is, at all events, known that the maternal Aswail is in the habit of carrying on her back 

 those of her offspring that are not able to make full use of their own means of progression. 



The two animals that were kept in the Zoological Gardens were accustomed to lie close to 

 each other, and while in that easy position used to suck their paws after the usual ursine 

 fashion, uttering at the same time a kind of bearish purr, as an expression of contentment. 

 This sound, although it partakes of the nature of a whine, admixed with the purr, is not with- 

 out a musical intonation, and may be heard at some little distance. Indeed, it has not unfre- 

 quently happened that the Bear has been betrayed to its pursuers by the continuous sound 

 which it utters while lying half asleep within its den. 



The hair which covers the body and limbs is of singular length, especially upon the back 

 of the neck and the head, imparting a strange and grotesque appearance to the animal. The 

 color of the fur is of a deep black, interspersed here and there with hairs of a brownish hue. 

 Upon the breast, a forked patch of whitish hairs is distinctly visible. When it walks, its 

 fore-feet cross over each other, like those of an accomplished skater when accomplishing the 

 "cross-roll," but when it remains in a standing attitude its feet are planted at some distance 

 from each other. 



These Bears seem to be very liable to the loss of their incisor teeth, and even in the skulls 

 of very young animals the teeth have been so long missing that their sockets have been filled 

 up by nature as if no teeth had ever grown there. On account of this curious deficiency, a 

 captured specimen was thought to be a gigantic sloth, and was classed among those animals 

 under the name of Bradypus ursinus, or Ursine Sloth. In one work it was candidly described 

 as the Anonymous Animal. Other names by which it is known are the Jungle Bear, and the 

 Labiated or Lipped Bear. 



This last-mentioned title has been given to the animal in consequence of the extreme 

 mobility of its long and flexible lips, which it can protrude or retract in a very singular 

 manner, and with which it contorts its countenance into the strangest imaginable grimaces, 

 especially when excited by the exhibition of a piece of bun, an apple, or other similar dainty. 

 It is fond of sitting in a semi-erect position, and of twisting its nose and lips about in a pecu- 

 liarly rapid manner, in order to attract the attention of the bystanders, and ever and anon, 

 when it fails to attract the eyes of its visitors, it slaps the lips smartly together in hopes to 

 strike their sense of hearing. 



When captured young, it is easily tamed, and can be taught to perform many curious 

 antics at the bid of its master. For this purpose it is often caught by the native mounte- 

 banks, who earn an easy subsistence by leading their shaggy pupil through the country, and 

 demanding small sums of money for the exhibition of its qualities. On account of its asso- 

 ciation with these wandering exhibitors, it has been called by the French naturalists "Ours 

 Jongleur." Whether owing to the natural docility of the animal, or to the superior powers 



