DESCRIPTION OF IRE PANDA. 



181 



THE PANDA* 



Forms a striking object among the small Mammals. It is a really beautiful creature, rich red 

 chestnut in colour on the upper surface, jet black as to the lower surface, the limbs also black, 

 the snout and the inside of the ears white, the tail bushy, reddish-brown in colour, and indistinctly 

 ringed. The fact of the under surface being black while the upper is bright reddish-yellow is re- 

 markable; with most animals, when there is any difference in colour, it is the under surface 

 which is lighter. The body and head are about half a yard long, the tail about a foot. The 

 mode of progression is plantigrade, and the large curved claws are half retractile. The main 

 anatomical characters are decidedly ursine, as also are the habits. Mr. Bartlett, who studied the 



PANDA. (From tlie Proceedings of the Zoological Society.) 



Panda that found a home for a time at the Zoo, states that, when drinking, it sucked up the fluid 

 like a Bear, instead of licking it up as a Dog or Cat would do. When offended it would rush at Mr. 

 Bartlett, and strike at him with both feet, the body being raised like a Bear's and the claws projecting. 

 It also, when angry, made a sharp spitting noise; at other times it used a "weak, squeaking call- 

 note." On level ground it ran in the same manner as the Weasel, Otter, and Kinkajou, with a sort 

 of jumping gallop, the back being kept much arched. 



The Panda is found in the forests of the Eastern Himalayas, as well as in Eastern Tibet. It is 

 sometimes known as the Wah, or as the Red Bear-Cat. 



The only remaining member of this family has been discovered within the last few years in the 

 mountains of East Tibet, by the Abbe David, and has been called by M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards 

 Ailuropus. It is a large animal, nearly white, and very Bear-like in external appearance, although 

 the structure of the skull and teeth shows clearly that its nearest allies are the Panda and the Racoon. 



* Ailurui Julgcns. 



