132 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 



descending a tree they always come down head foremost. Their food 

 consists of insects, fruits, roots and such small prey as they are able 

 to secure. They are destructive to young birds, and expert in dig- 

 ging after large beetles, for which their claws, which are very strong, 

 are admirably adapted. They do not burrow in the ground for a re- 

 sidence. 



A friend of mine in Berbice possessed a brown Coati which was 

 domesticated. In its disposition it was extremely mild, and very fond 

 of being caressed; it was sometimes induced to play, although it evi- 

 dently preferred passing the greater part of the day asleep, rolling it- 

 self up in a lump. When receiving its food it sat apparently with 

 great ease on its hinder legs, and thrusting its nails into the food, 

 it carried it in this position with both its paws to the mouth. It 

 possessed the peculiarity of gnawing on its own tail, which organ 

 bore the marks of this strange propensity. Its smell was strong and 

 disagreeable, and would have deterred many from keeping such an 

 animal in their house. 



Although it seemed generally to derive great pleasure from being 

 stroked down the back, when it received these caresses from its 

 master it would turn over, and return with its paws these caresses 

 or thrust its long muzzle under the sleeve, uttering at the same time 

 a soft and gentle cry. If a cat or a dog approached it, the soft cry 

 would change to a shrill sound. 



While travelling over the savannahs we have frequently met them 

 at broad daylight, and I recollect once a chase ensued that was highly 

 characteristic. The instant poor Quasy perceived itself pursued it 

 made for the high grass, where no doubt it would have been able to 

 hide itself, if its tail, which it carried erect, did not point out its 

 situation. We found the single dog in our company unable to con- 

 tend with it, the Indians assisted therefore to dislodge it from the 

 retreat which the high grass partially afforded. The Coati now made for 

 the open savannah, the Indians following the harassed animal shout- 

 ing, the dog barking : it chose a path embarrassed with thorns and 

 briars, and took to the swampy ground below the stately Mauritius 

 palms ; but this was of no avail, its pursuers not being deterred ; like 

 a hare it doubled back to the spot grown over with high grass, 

 where it vainly sought for protection. Its strength being exhausted, 

 it was soon seized by its long tail by one of the Indians ; but even 

 here it defended itself with desperate obstinacy ; the Indian was 

 obliged to loose his hold, and a new scuffle arose : wherever it turned 

 it met an enemy ; beaten with bows and long poles, fired at with ar- 

 rows, 



