464 THE SPOTTED CUSCUS. 
food also, and seems to be in the habit of eating various insects and the eggs of birds. 
In some of its relations the carnivorous power is developed to a still greater degree. 
The fur of the Cuscus is beautifully soft and silken in its texture, and is of some value 
for conversion into articles of human attire or luxury, such as cloaks and mantles. The 
colour of the fur is singularly variable, even if the Spotted Cuscus be really a separate 
species, and still more so if, according to many skilful zoologists, it can only be considered 
as a single variety. 
The “round tint of the Spotted Cuscus is a whitish-grey. Upon this pale tint are 
scattered very large and bold spots of deep brown, covered with a reddish-chestnut. 
Sometimes it is almost wholly white, with only one or two small spots scattered 
sparingly over the body. The tail is yellowish-white. Another specimen will be almost 
entirely of the darker colour, and marked as follows:— The shoulders and head of a 
curious grey grizzle, and the remainder of the body to the tail greyish-white. A number 
of large angular black spots or patches are so placed upon this pale field, that they 
communicate with each other, and form a kind of indistinct black pattern on the 
SPOTTED CUSCUS.—Cuscus maculatus. 
ereature’s back. The colour of these dark patches is nearly black, and would be so 
entirely but from a number of white hairs which are seen among the black. These 
descriptions are taken from actual specimens. Another species, called the Ursine Cuscus, 
is of a uniform deep brown. 
These animals are in some request among the white and the native population of 
the country which they inhabit, for they not only furnish valuable fur or “ peltry,” 
as the skin of these and similar creatures is popularly termed, but also afford nourish- 
ment to their captors. The flesh of the Cuscus is thought to be remarkably good by 
those who have partaken of it, and is said to be quite equal to that of the kangaroo. 
There is a certain rather powerful and not very agreeable scent that issues from the 
Cuscus and most of its relations, which does not, however, disqualify the creature from 
forming a most valued portion of the hunter's dietary. This scent proceeds from some 
small ol ands which are situated near the insertion of the tail. 
In captivity it is not a particularly interesting animal, being dull and slow in its 
movements, and seldom exhibiting any energy, except, perhaps, when it ought rather to 
keep itself quiet. One of these creatures, which had been for some time partially 
domesticated, was very sluggish and unimpressible in its manner until a companion was 
placed in the same cage. The two animals immediately became violently excited, 
