S38 Zoological Cdlecttons. 



thing but muriate of potash and the minute quantity of lime 

 above-mentioned. 



A portion of tabasheer in fine powder was intimately mix- 

 ed with five times its weight of carbonate of barytes, and ex- 

 posed for an hour and a half to a white heat. On dissolving 

 the mass in muriatic acidj and separating the silica and bary- 

 tes in the usual manner, the soluble parts were evaporated to 

 dryness and ignited, but not a trace of alkaline matter was 

 detected. 



It hence appears from the foregoing analysis, that the ta- 

 basheer of India consists of silica containing a minute quanti- 

 ty of lime and vegetable matter. 



Art. XVIIL- zoological COLLECTIONS. 

 1. Bears of India. 



1 HE three bears which have been ascertained to be natives of India form 

 part of the collection in the menagerie at Barrackpore Park. The first, or 

 Ursus labiatus, the ursine sloth of Shaw and others, has long been known. 

 The second, or Ursus Malayanus of Dr Horsfield, has been described by 

 that gentleman and by Sir Stamford Raffles; and the third, or Ursus Thibet 

 ianusj was first ascertained by M. Duvaucel to be a separate species. " As 

 his description, however, does not entirely accord (says a writer in an In- 

 dian Journal) with the observations which we have made on the specimen 

 of this animal at Barrackpore, it may be serviceable to add a supplemen- 

 tary one. 



*' Description. — The general colour of the animal is coal-black. The hair 

 is thick and glossy, but harsh ; on the back it is about an inch and a half 

 long ; but is neither so long nor so harsh as the hair of the Ursus labiatus. 

 Head conical ; viewed laterally it appears gradually attenuated, the nose 

 being nearly in a continuous line with the forehead, so as to present very 

 definitely the form of a truncated cone. The ears are round, large, and 

 very distinct from the long hair in which they are situated. This hair 

 passes down from the ear on each side of the head, giving the appearance 

 of a ruff, but does not pass entirely round the throat, as it leaves a large 

 interval under the chin. Between the ears and on the back of the head 

 the hair is much shorter. The muzzle, in shape like that of a dog, is of 

 a rusty-gray colour ; under the chin is a white triangular spot. A white 

 semilunar mark occupies the chest. The paws of the animal are very 

 broad ; each has five toes of unequal length. Its claws are short and weak. 



"iJeTwar/cT.— The form of the animal is expressive of great strength. The 

 limbs are more strikingly muscular than those of any other individual in 

 the park collection. The observation of M. Duvaucel that its apparent 

 *' force superieure ne s'accorde pas avec la foiblesse de ses ongles," is very 



