THE BINTURONG 



469 



more especially on the back, and is of a uniform black tint, more or less washed 

 with gray on the head and fore-limbs, and occasionally all over the body. 



The cheek-teeth of the binturong, although of the same general type, are even 

 proportionately smaller than in the small-toothed palm-civets, with which they 

 agree in number. The last molar tooth in the upper, and the first premolar in the 

 lower jaw may, however, be wanting in some individuals. These peculiarities in 

 the teeth, coupled with the other structural characteristics of the animal, lead to the 

 conclusion that the binturong is a highly modified and specialized member of the 

 palm-civet group, of which the nearest relatives are the small-toothed palm-civets. 



THE BINTURONG. 

 (One-seventh natural size.) 



Writing of the habits of the binturong, Mr. Blanford observes that it "is omnivo- 

 rous, living on small Mammals, birds, fishes, earthworms, insects, and fruits ; it is 

 also nocturnal and arboreal, its power of climbing about trees being much aided by 

 its prehensile tail. It is rather slow in its movements. Its ability to suspend itself 

 by its tail has been questioned, but Blyth has shown that the young, at all events, 

 can support itself t>y the extremity of the tail alone. Blyth also remarks that it is 

 the only known placental Mammal with a truly prehensile tail in the Old World. 

 This species inhabits wild forests, and, owing to its nocturnal and retiring habits, is 

 seldom seen ; it is said, however, to have a loud howl. It is naturally fierce, but 



