~ MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. | 137 
. widely distributed. The characteristics of the Subursine differ 
from those of the typical ursine particularly in a reduction of 
the number of teeth. Externally the appearance is rendered 
less bear-like by the presence of a long, hairy, and sometimes 
prehensile tail. The true bears possess 42 teeth, while their 
smaller relatives have 36 — 40, the chief variation being in the 
molars and premolars. The Subursine are plantigrade, and 
have a free use of the fore feet, most species using them with 
great dexterity in feeding, etc. The species are arboreal, and 
chiefly nocturnal, and bear confinement and even domestication 
well. 
These like other ursine animals are omnivorous. Insects, 
birds, and especially their eggs, are particularly relished, 
though fruits, roots and other vegetable food is not declined. 
Some species exhibit their relation with the familiar Ursus 
by a penchant for honey. 
A connection with the cats seems to be offered by a South 
American animal, the Bassaris astuta, which has been classed 
with the Civet cats (Vzverride). Indeed, this animal has been 
placed in that group by some authors. Although said by Vogt 
to inhabit Mexico, Southern California and Texas, American 
authors seem not to have noticed its occurrence in the United 
States. 
On the other hand, the link between the small bears and 
Ursus is found in Ailuropus, a curious bear-like animal, confined 
in its range to the inaccessible mountains of eastern Thibet. 
This animal is but partially plantigrade, touching the ground 
with but part of the sole. In size it approaches the true bears, 
but in many points resembles the panda (Ailurus fulgens), 
which is described as a pretty arboreal and frugivorous animal, 
39 centimeters long. The panda inhabits the Himalayas above 
6,000 feet. The cat-like head with its ruffled cheeks, the fine 
reddish fur, and the long tail, make it a striking animal. Its 
food is chiefly fruit. 
Curiously enough we encounter another representative of the 
group in the Sunda Islands in the 4Arctictis binturong. The 
dog-like head, lynx-like ears and monkey-like tail make a 
strange combination, as may be gathered from the outline sketch 
(see Fig. 9[8]). The claws are not retractile, but the food 
largely consists of flesh. The tailis used for prehension. The 
; nearest relative to this creature must be sought in South 
America where we find the Cercoleptes, in which the tail is used 
AS, 
