274 THE KINKAJOU. 



food, and even in conveying it to the mouth, as well as in 

 seizing its prey. In its aspect there is something of gentle- 

 ness and good nature ; and in captivity it is extremely play- 

 ful, familiar, and fond of being noticed. In its natural state, 

 however, it is sanguinary and resolute. 



The Kinkajou was not unknown to Buffon, who, however, 

 for a long time confounded it with the glutton nor was he 

 aware of his error until an opportunity occurred of his seeing 

 two of these animals. One was exhibited at Saint Germain 

 in 1773, under the title of ' an animal unknown to naturalists.' 

 The other was in the possession of a gentleman in Paris, 

 who brought it from Mexico. This latter individual was 

 suffered to go at large, being perfectly tame ; and, after ram- 

 bling about all night, would return to its accustomed sleeping 

 place, where it was always to be found in the morning. 

 " Without being docile," says M. Chauveau, in a note to Buf- 

 fon, " it is familiar, but only recognises its master, and will 

 follow him. It drinks every fluid water, coffee, milk, wine, 

 and even brandy if sweetened with sugar, with which latter 

 it will become intoxicated ; but it is ill for several days after- 

 wards. It eats, with the same indifference, bread, meat, 

 pulse, roots, and especially fruits. It is passionately fond of 

 scents, and eagerly devours sugar and sweetmeats. It darts 

 upon poultry, always seizing them under the wing. It ap- 

 pears to drink the blood only, leaving them without tearing 

 the body to pieces. When the choice is at its option, it pre- 

 fers duck to fowl, but it fears the water." 



M. de Sive, speaking of the Kinkajou exhibited at St. Ger- 

 main, observes, that it was at first very good tempered, but soon 

 began to be savage, in consequence of being perpetually irrita- 

 ted by the public. He notices also its dexterity in climbing, 

 and adds that " it often rests on its hind limbs, and scratches 

 itself with its fore paws, like monkeys. * * It feeds like a 

 squirrel, holding between its paws the fruits or vegetables 

 which are given to it. It has never been offered meat or fish ; 

 when irritated it endeavors to dart on the assailant, and its 

 cry in anger resembles that of a large rat. * * * It dexterously 



