VARIOUS RACCOON TYPES 179 



KINKAJOU (Cercoleptes caudivolvulus). 

 Coloured Plate X. Fig. i. 



The Kinkajou derives its name from two words, Greek 

 and Latin respectively, both of which mean ' twisted tail/ 

 given to the lovely furry creature in allusion to its pre- 

 hensile appendage, which is nearly as flexible as that of 

 the spider monkey. The earlier naturalists classed the 

 Kinkajou among the Lemurs. Though it has no opposable 

 thumb and the fingers are webbed very nearly to the 

 claws, the animal holds food in one hand, breaking pieces 

 off with the other in a manner almost human. The tongue 

 is extremely long and 

 flexible, the owner using 

 it for the purpose of 

 extracting insects from 

 the crevices in which 

 they are lurking. When 

 asleep it rolls itself into 

 a ball. It will also sit 

 demurely on its hind 

 legs like a Scotch terrier. SKULL OF THE KINKAJOU. 



(Two-thirds natural size.) 



There are other mem- 

 bers of the raccoon family that deserve brief mention. 

 The Cacomistle (Bassaris astuta) of California, Texas, and 

 Mexico is often called the Ring-tailed Cat. Miners, in 

 particular, capture the animal and tame it, and in a 

 mining camp a mousing Cacomistle will always fetch a 

 good price. 



The Panda (&lurus fulgens), whose generic name means 

 'waving tail/ is another beautiful cat-like creature, mostly 

 found in the Eastern Himalaya. Its coat is a rich red 

 chestnut, darkening into jet black on the under parts, another 

 example of the converse to the general rule. It is a pity 

 that the beautifully coloured animal does not exist in 

 sufficient numbers to render its fur a more common article 

 of commerce. 



