464 



THE SPOTTED CUSCUS. 



food also, and seems to be in the habit of eating various insects and the eggs of birds. 

 In some of its relations the carnivorous power is developed to a still greater degree. 



The fur of the Cuscus is beautifully soft and silken in its texture, and is of some 

 value for conversion into articles of human attire or luxury, such as cloaks and mantles. 

 The color of the fur is singularly variable, even if the Spotted Cuscus be really a sep- 

 arate species, and still more so if, according to many skilful zoologists, it can only be 

 considered as a single variety. 



The ground tint of the Spotted Cuscus is a whitish-gray. Upon this pale tint are 

 scattered very large and bold spots of deep brown, covered with a reddish-chestnut. 

 Sometimes it is almost wholly white, with only one or two small spots scattered 

 sparingly over the body. The tail is yellowish-white. Another specimen will be al- 

 most entirely of the darker color, and marked as follows : The shoulders and head of 

 a curious gray grizzle, and the remainder of the body to the tail grayish-white. A 

 number of large angular black spots or patches are so placed upon this pale field, tha; 

 they communicate with each other, and form a kind of indistinct black pattern on the 



SPOTTED CUSCUS. Cuscus maculatus. 



creature's back. The color of these dark patches is nearly black, and would be so 

 entirely but for a number of white hairs which are seen among the black. These 

 descriptions are taken from actual specimens. Another species, called the Ursine 

 Cuscus, is of a uniform deep brown. 



These animals are in some request among the white and the native population of 

 the country which they inhabit, for they not only furnish valuable fur or " peltry," as 

 the skin of these and similar creatures is popularly termed, but also afford nourish- 

 ment to their captors. The flesh of the Cuscus is thought to be remarkably good by 

 those who have partaken of it, and is said to be quite equal to that of the kangaroo. 

 There is a certain rather powerful and not very agreeable scent that issues from the 

 Cuscus and most of its relations, which does not, however, disqualify the creature from 

 forming a most valued portion of the hunter's dietary. This scent proceeds from some 

 small glands which are situated near the insertion of the tail. 



In captivity it is not a particularly interesting animal, being dull and slow in its 

 movements, and seldom exhibiting any energy, except perhaps, when it ought rather to 

 keep itself quiet. One of these creatures, which had been for some time partially 

 domesticated, was very sluggish and unimpressible in its manner until a companion was 

 placed in the same cage. The two animals immediately became violently excited, 



