MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 137 



widely distributed. The characteristics of the Subursince 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 Subursince 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 asiuta, which has been classed 

 with the Civet cats (Viverridce). 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, 

 35 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 Arctictis 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 [3]). The claws are not retractile, but the food 

 largely consists of flesh. The tail is 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 



" 9 



