CARNARIA. 69 



dens or construct huts, in which they pass the winter in a state of somno- 

 lency more or less profound, and without food. It is in these retreats that 

 the female brings forth her young. 



The species are not easily distinguished by apparent characters. 



U. americanus, Gm. (The North American Black Bear.) A very dis- 

 tinct species, with a flat forehead, smooth and black fur, and fawn-coloured 

 muzzle. We have always found the small teeth behind the canini more 

 numerous in this Bear than in the European species. Individuals have 

 been seen that were entirely fawn-coloured. Its usual food is wild fruits; 

 it devastates the fields, and, where fish is abundant, proceeds to the shores 

 for the purpose of catching it. It is only for want of other aliment that it 

 attacks quadrupeds. The flesh is held in great esteem. Various species 

 are known, such as the Polar Bear, Thibet Bear, Malay Bear, Thick-lipped 

 Bear, and our Grisly-Bear. 



PROCYON, Storr. 



The Raccoons have three back tuberculous molars, the superior of which 

 are nearly square, and three pointed false molars in front, forming a con- 

 tinuous series to the canines, which are straight and compressed. The 

 tail is long, but the remainder of the exterior is that of a Bear in miniature. 

 They rest the whole sole of the foot on the ground only when they stand 

 still; when they walk, they raise the heel. 



P. ktor. (The Raccoon.) Greyish brown; muzzle white; a brown 

 streak across the eyes; tail marked with brown and white rings. This 

 animal is about the size of a Badger, is easily tamed, and remarked for a 

 singular habit of eating nothing it has not previously dipped in water. 

 From North America lives on eggs, Birds, &c. 



AILURUS, Fred. Cuv. 



The Panda appears to approximate to the Raccoon in its canini, and what 

 is known of its other teeth; with this exception, that it has only one false 

 molar. The head is short; tail long; walk plantigrade; five toes with re- 

 tractile claws. One species only is known, the 



A. refulgens, Fred. Cuv. Size of a large Cat; fur soft and thickly set; 

 above of the most brilliant cinnamon red; behind more fawn-coloured; be- 

 neath of a deep black. The head is whitish, and the tail marked with 

 brown rings. From the north of India. 



ICTIDES, Valen. 



The Benturong is somewhat related to the Raccoon by its teeth, but the 

 three upper back molars are much smaller and less tuberculous, the last 

 one in each jaw particularly, which is very small and nearly simple. It is 

 covered with long hair, and has a tuft at each ear. The tail is long, hairy, 

 and has a propensity to curl, as if prehensile. From India. 



let albifrons, Fr. Cuv. Grey; tail and sides of the muzzle black; size 

 that of a large Cat. From Bootan. 



