218 ORDER V. 



black ; and the tail annulated with about six rings, 

 having the tip black. 



Nas. solitaris, P. of Wied. The Coati Mondi , 



Larger than N. socialis, measuring from nose to tail 

 T 11" 2'", and the tail 1' 9" ; total length, 3 feet 

 8 inches 2 lines ; the tail proportionablj shorter 

 than in the former, and the snout fuller ; the teeth 

 much stronger ; in manners, the greater part of the 

 year entirely solitary ; not frequenting the smaller 

 forests, and seldom seen even on the borders of the 

 primeval woods. This species does not dig, but se- 

 cures one or more places of rest, and hunts by day 

 alone, feeding on fruit, insects, worms, eggs and 

 birds. Whether mice, or other small mammals are 

 objects of prey, is doubtful; but the search after 

 food is undertaken sedately, ascending and descend- 

 ing a tree without the petulant haste of the social ; 

 and, in captivity, the character is still evinced in a 

 greater capability of education ; more docility, but 

 also confidence in personal powers, and proneness to 

 revenge and resistance. In this respect, a single 

 house dog is no match for him, and even two sport- 

 ing dogs cannot master a full grown animal in the 

 open wood. Dr. Rengger had one of his dogs kill- 

 ed, by a single bite opening the carotid artery ; and 

 in the same moment another, who already endea- 

 voured to escape, had the tendon of the heel cut 

 through. 



The face is nearly black, but with the usual three 

 white spots about the eyes ; no white streak on the 



