lt<; 



VEKTEEKATA. 





THE ICTIDES ALB1FR0XS. — (^See p. 177.) 



the ground. They are nearly of the size of a cat; the color is fawn, mixed with gray and Mark. 

 becoming paler on the under parts. The tail is half the length of the body, and is slightly 

 annotated. Like certain monkeys, they often gnaw off their tails, — whether because they ache 

 or itch, or are too long for convenience, or whether as a matter of taste, is not known. They an 

 Bemi-plantigrade, but they have strong, sharp claws, and are expert climbers. Their voice, when 

 pleased, is a &of1 grumble; when angry, they utter a sharp, strong cry. Their food consisl 

 insects, worms, Bnails, fruits, honey, eggs, birds, and other small animals. They are not ferocious, 

 and easily become tamed; they are, however, restless in captivity, hut possess a kind of gentle 

 curiosity, which excites interest. Tn the menagerie at Paris, there are several of them, which an 

 kepi with the monkey-, to which, in common with the raccoon, they have a certain analogy. 



The Coati Mosul, or the Brown Coati, Noma narica, is the only- one of the sj ies that 



appears to be well established. The word mondi means solitary, and is used to distinguish tin 

 species from another, the Social Cent]. Tschudi makes out five species: the Social Coati, tbi 

 Solitary Coati, the Coati leucorhyncha, the Banded Coati, and the Mountain Coati. But Gervafc 

 after a careful examination, reduces them to one — that which we have named above — th« 

 distinctions of size, color, &c, -low ing only varieties and not specific differences. This conclusioi 

 ii- to he justified by the fact that, with ahundant opportunities, only one species, the Coat, 

 Mondi, has come under familiar observation at the menageries. This 'animal is found fron 

 M< ideo to BraziL 



