78 . NATURAL HISTORY. 



ing out any insects that may be lying concealed beyond the 

 reach of its paws. The Spanish missionaries give it the name 

 of Honey Bear, because it is a great devastator of the nests of 

 the wild bee, using its long tongue to lick the honey out 

 of the cells. When in captivity it is very tame and gentle, 

 and will play with an acquaintance as a cat will. It displays 

 great address in capturing flies and other insects with its 

 tongue, and it is amusing to watch how its eyes gleam directly 

 that a fly settles within its reach. During the earlier part of 

 the day it will not move, but towards dusk it becomes very 

 brisk and animated, climbing about its cage, and swinging from 

 the top bars by its tail and hind paws. 

 A sub-family is omitted. 



CERCOLEPTES. (Gr. Kt-pno, a tall ; /Ic-rof, thin.) 



Caudivolvulus (Lat. twisted tail), the Kinkajou. 



Family III Talpidse. (Lat. Talpa, a mole. Mole-kind.) 



Sub-family a. . Talpina. 



THE MOLE. 



MANY ridiculous stories of the MOLE and its habits may be 

 found in several authors, among whom .ZEsop stands very con- 

 spicuous. This much maligned animal is said to be deprived 

 of eyes, to undergo unheard-of tortures in forcing its way 

 through the earth, and to spend a life of misery in subter- 

 ranean damp and darkness. So far from being a miserable 

 animal, the Mole seems to enjoy its life quite as much as any 

 other creature. It is beautifully fitted for the station which 



