THE MASKED PAGUMA. 



245 



The tail of the Binturong is thickly and heavily formed, longer than the body, and 

 covered with exceedingly bushy hair. In some individuals, the black fur is mixed with 

 white or gray hairs. 



It seems to be a very indolent animal, passing the day in sleep, and being with 

 difficulty aroused from its slumbers. When irritated, it utters a sharp fierce growl, 

 shows its teeth, and curls itself up again to sleep. While sleeping it lies partly on 

 its side, curled round with its head snugly sheltered under its bushy tail. The 

 muzzle of the Binturong is short and sharp, rather turned up at its extremity, and 

 covered with long brown hairs which radiate around the face, and impart a very curious 

 expression to the animal. The eyes are of a dull chestnut, unless the creature is excited, 

 when they flash out with a momentary fire which dies away as soon as the cause is 

 removed. 



It is a good climber of trees, being assisted in this task by its tail, which is pre- 

 hensile at the tip, and capable of grasping an object with some force. When in cap- 

 tivity it seems to prefer a vegetable to an animal diet, and feeds on rice, fruit, and 

 other vegetable productions. But it is fond of eggs, birds, the heads, of fowls, and 

 other animal substances, and perhaps is best kept in health by a mixed diet. It en- 

 joys a very excellent appetite, and whether its food be animal or vegetable, consumes 

 an exceedingly large amount in comparison with the size of the consumer. 



The length of the Binturong is about two feet six inches, exclusive of the tail, which 

 always equals, and generally exceeds, the body in length. Its height varies from a foot 

 to fifteen inches. 



MASKED 



. Paguma Larvata. 



THE CURIOUS animal which is represented in the engraving has, until lately, been 

 placed among the weasels, under the title of Masked Glutton, and has only of late 

 years been referred to its proper place in the scale of creation. The title of Larvatus, 

 or Masked, is given to it on account of the white streak down the forehead and nose, 

 and the white circle round the eyes, which gives the creature an aspect as if it was 

 endued with an artificial mask. There is a pale olive-gray band extending from the 

 back of each ear and meeting under the throat, and the general color of the fur is an 

 olive-brown, besprinkled and washed with gray. It has been found in China, from 

 which country several specimens have been imported into England. There are many 

 other species belonging to the same genus, such as the Nepal Paguma, the White 

 Whiskered Paguma of Sumatra and Singapore, the Woolly Paguma from Nepal, and 

 the Three-streaked Paguma of Malacca. 



