AILUROPUS. piper 
The last molar is peculiar in shape, longer than broad, and is 
tuberculous, as in the bears, but it differs in this respect from the 
pandas, in which the last molar is almost a repetition of the preceding 
one, and its longitudinal diameter is less than its transverse. 
In the lower jaw the first premolar, instead of being small and 
tuberculate, as its corresponding tooth in the upper jaw, is large, double- 
fanged, trenchant and tri-lobed, resembling, except for size, the two 
following ones. ‘The second is not inserted obliquely like its corres- 
pondent in the upper jaw, its axis is in a line with that of its neighbours; 
tricuspidate, the middle lobe being the highest. The third premolar is 
very large, and agrees with its upper one, excepting the lobule on the 
inner border. 
The first true molar is longer than broad, and wider in front; the 
crown, with five conical tubercles in two groups, separated by a transverse 
groove ; the next molar is thicker and stouter than the preceding one, 
and the last is smaller, and both much resemble those of the bears, and 
differ notably from the pandas. 
From what M. Milne-Edwards describes, we may briefly epitomise 
that the pre-molarial dentition of the A7zduropus is ailuroid or feline, and 
that the true molars are arctoid or ursine. 
The skull is remarkable for the elongation of the cranium and the 
elevation of the occipital crest, for the shortness of the muzzle, for the 
depression of the post-frontal portion, and for the enormous development 
of the zygomatic arches. In another part M. Milne-Edwards remarks 
that there is no carnivorous animal of which the zygomatic arches are so 
developed as in the Az/uropus. He states that it inhabits the most 
inaccessible mountains of Eastern Thibet, and it never descends from 
its retreats to ravage the fields, as do the Black Bears ; therefore it is 
difficult to obtain. It lives principally on roots, bamboos and other 
vegetables ; but we may reasonably suppose from its conformation that it 
is carnivorous at times, when opportunity offers, as are some of the 
bears, and as is the Az/urus. I have dwelt at some length on this 
animal, though not a denizen of India proper ; but it will be a prize to 
any of our border sportsmen who come across it on the confines of 
Thibet, and therefore I have deemed it worthy of space. 
S1zE.—From muzzle to tail, about four feet ten inches ; height about 
twenty-six inches. 
