THE KINKAJOU. 275 



uses its tail in a hook-like manner to draw towards itself dif- 

 ferent objects it wishes to obtain ; it is also fond of suspending 

 itself by the tail, twining it round anything which is within 

 its reach." Notwithstanding, however, that Buffon had seen 

 the Kinkajou, so little was known as to its manners in a state 

 of nature, and the range of its habitat, that this writer, mis- 

 led by an account of Denis, regarded an animal called by 

 this name (which indeed has been often applied to the glutton) 

 as the one before us and quotes the words of Denis, who 

 states it to lurk among the branches, and drop down upon 

 the elk or moose deer, (as the glutton is also erroneously said 

 to do,) twist its tail round its neck, and bite it above the ears r 

 till at length the deer sinks down exhausted. The account 

 of Denis is altogether unworthy of notice. 



An individual of this species lately died, at the gardens of 

 the Zoological Society : it had lived in the possession of the 

 Society about seven years, and was remarkable for gentleness 

 and its playful disposition. During the greater part of the 

 day it was usually asleep, rolled up in the inner partition or 

 box of its large cage : this indeed was invariably the case in 

 the morning, unless purposely Disturbed, but in the afternoon 

 it would often voluntarily come out, traverse its cage, take 

 food, and play with those to whom it was accustomed. 

 Clinging to the top wires of its cage with its hind-paws and 

 tale, it would thus suspend itself, swinging backwards and 

 forwards, and assuming a variety of antic positions. When 

 thus hanging, it could bring up its body with the greatest 

 ease, so as to cling with its fore-paws as well as the hind pair 

 to the wires, and in this manner it would travel up and down 

 its cage with the utmost address, every now and then thrust- 

 ing forth its long tongue between the wires, as if in quest of 

 food, which if offered outside its cage, it would generally 

 endeavor to draw in with this organ. It was very fond of 

 being stroked and gently scratched, and when at play with 

 any one it knew, it would pretend to bite, seizing the hand or 

 fingers with its teeth, as a dog will do when gambolling with 

 its master, but without hurting or intending injury. As the 



