32 A NATURALIST IN BORNEO 



in colour with a white head ; it is, like its European 

 relatives, a ferocious little creature. 



There are two species of Mongoose in Borneo, but 

 neither of them is as docile as the Indian species, 

 and weeks of captivity do not soften their naturally 

 savage disposition. A number of native stories have 

 collected round the Malayan Mongoose, but all of 

 them are quite unfit for publication. 



Cynogale bennetti is a most peculiar mammal, super- 

 ficially resembling an Otter. It is clothed in a thick 

 brown fur, grizzled on the head and fore-quarters ; 

 long stout whiskers spring from the lips and cheeks, 

 and the muzzle is broad and heavy. The tail is short 

 and the feet are webbed. It is found in swampy 

 places, and on the banks of rivers ; it can swim well, 

 but, according to Dr. Hose, will climb trees when 

 pursued. On account of its peculiar odour, resembling 

 that of newly cut rice ears, the Malays name it " Padi 

 bharu" ("new rice"). 



Nearly all the Viverrine Carnivora of Borneo make 

 good pets, for they are practically omnivorous and 

 flourish well in captivity on a diet of fruit. All the 

 species are arboreal, and their dexterity in climbing 

 is very wonderful, seeing that they are not endowed 

 with fully prehensile tails nor, as a rule, with grasping 

 feet. Arctictis binturong, the Bear-Cat or Binturong, 

 does, however, possess a prehensile tail : this animal 

 and the Scaly Manis enjoy the proud distinction of 

 being the only non-Marsupial mammals in the Old World 

 that are thus fully endowed [Note 5, p. 313]. The Bintu- 

 rong is black in colour grizzled with rufous-grey, the ears 

 are tufted and the tail is very long. When the animal 

 is young the grip of the tail is sufficiently powerful 



