AILUROPUS. IG 
contrary, the Azuropus resembles the Az/urus, which is semi-plantigrade, 
yet hairy under its soles. 
The colouring of the Az/uropus is remarkable: it is white with the 
exception of the circumferences of the eyes, the ears, the shoulders, 
and the lower part of the neck which are entirely black. These 
stand out clearly on a. groundwork of slightly yellowishwhite ; the spots 
round the eyes are circular, and give a strange aspect to the animal; 
those on the shoulders represent a sort of band placed transversely 
across the withers, widening as they descend downwards to lower limbs. 
The hinder limbs are also black from the lower part of the thigh down 
Ailuropus melanoleucos. 
to the toes, but the haunches, as also the. greater part of the tail, are 
as white as the back and belly; the colouring is the same in young 
and old. ‘The fur is long, thick, and coarse, like that of the bears. 
From the general form of the skull it would seem impossible to 
determine the family to which this animal belongs. In effect the head 
differs considerably from the Urside and the Mustelide, and presents 
certain resemblances to that of the hyzna; but there are numerous 
and important particulars which indicate a special zoological type, and 
it is only by an inspection of the dental system that the natural affinities 
of the Az/uropus can be determined. 
