THE MASKED PAGUMA. 245 
The tail of the Binturong is thickly and heavily formed, longer than the body, and 
covered with exceedingly bushy hair. In some individuals, the black fur is mixed with 
white or grey hairs. 
It seems to be a very indolent animal, passing the day in sleep, and being with diffi- 
culty aroused from its shambers. When irritated, it utters a sharp fierce growl, shows its 
teeth, and curls itself up again to sleep. While sleeping, it hes partly on its side, curled 
round with its head snugly sheltered under its bushy tail. The muzzle of the Binturong 
is short and sharp, rather turned up at its extremity, and covered with long brown hairs 
which radiate around the face, and impart a very curious expression to the animal. The 
eyes are of a dull chestnut, unless the creature is excited, when they flash out with a 
momentary fire which dies away as soon as the cause is removed. 
It is a good climber of trees, being assisted in this task by its tail, which is pre- 
hensile at the tip, and capable of grasping an object with some force. When in 
captivity it seems to prefer a vegetable to an animal diet, and feeds on rice, fruit, and 
other vegetable productions. But it is fond of eges, birds, the heads of fowls, and other 
animal substances, and perhaps is best kept in health by a mixed diet. It enjoys a very 
excellent appetite, and whether its food be animal or vegetable, consumes an exceedingly 
large amount in comparison with the size of the consumer. 
The leneth of the Binturong is about two feet six inches, exclusive of the tail, which 
always equals, and generally exceeds, the body in length. Its height varies from a foot 
to fifteen inches. 
frye 
VAUOLEM ANC 
MASKED PAGUMSA.—Puguma Larvata, 
THE CURIOUS animal which is represented in the engraving, has, until lately, been 
placed among the weasels, under the title of Masked Glutton, and has only of late years 
been referred to its proper place in the scale of creation. The title of Larvatus, or 
Masked, is given to it on account of the white streak down the forehead and nose, and 
the white circle round the eyes, which gives the creature an aspect as if it was endued 
with an artificial mask. There is a pale olive-grey band extending from the back of each 
ear and meeting under the throat, and the general colour of the fur is an olive- brown, 
besprinkled and washed with grey. It has ‘been found in China, from which country 
several specimens have been imported into England. There are many other species 
belonging to the same genus, such as the Nepal Paguma, the White Whiskered Paguma 
of Sumatra and Singapore, the Woolly Paguma from Nepal, and the Three-str eaked 
Paguma of Malacca. 
