194 



THE BINTURONG. 



little. The Zenick appears to bear some resemblance to our common polecat and ferret ; but it 

 is altogether a curious animal, and stands nearly alone in the animal kingdom. Its walk is less 

 gliding than that of the Ichneumons, and it is able to sit upon its hinder legs, and remain in 

 the erect position for some time. 



x 



IN BOKNEO, an allied animal is found, which is known in its native country by the title of 

 MAMPALON. 



The so-called " whisker hairs " which grow from the lips and behind the eyes are extremely 

 long, and the feet are short, and furnished with five toes. When walking, the animal sets the 

 entire sole of its foot on the ground, after the manner called "plantigrade." It is generally 

 found in the neighborhood of rivers. In total length it is about eighteen inches, the tail 



! 



MAMPALON.- 



tennettii. 



measuring nearly seven inches, 

 blunt and slightly depressed. 



The snout of this animal is rather long, but at its extremity is 



PASSING by several curious animals, we arrive at the pretty little creature which is known 

 by the name of NANDINE. 



On account of the double row of spots which run along the body, the Nandine has been 

 dignified with the title of "binotata," or "double-spotted," by almost every naturalist who 

 has woven it into his system, even though the animal itself has been placed by some authors 

 among the Civets, by some among the Ichneumons, and by others among the Paradoxures. 



The general color of the fur is a darkish and very rich brown, darker along the back, and 

 lighter on the sides. The tail is covered with blackish rings which are but obscurely denned. 



ONE of the largest examples of this group is the dark, sullen, and sluggish BINTURONG. 



This animal is a native of Malacca, from whence several living specimens and many skins 

 have been brought to this country. The color of the Binturong is a dead black, the hairs 

 being long, coarse, and devoid of that gloss which is so often found upon black animals. The 

 head is gray, and each ear is furnished with a long tuft of black hair. Round the edge of the 

 ears runs a band of whitish gray. 



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 gray hairs, 



