the type of a Subgenvs of Ursus. 223 



posited in the British Museum. The animal which has served for 

 the following description, now forms part of the Menagerie in the 

 Tower of London. It was brought from Borneo, but the history 

 of its introduction will be adverted to in the sequel. I proceed 

 to the description. 



The Ilelarctos euryspilus exhibits the most distinguishing cliarac- 

 ter in the form of its head. The cranium is in comparison with other 

 Ursi^ of extraordinary size. Its contour above is nearly hemispheri- 

 cal, and laterally it expands in an oblique direction outwards. Thfe 

 forehead rises in an arch immediately behind the nose. The eyes 

 are situated anteriorly, near this organ, the ears on the contrary 

 are removed to the posterior extremity of the skull, and the 

 space between both is very great. Immediately before the eyes 

 the skull is abruptly contracted and passes into an obtuse very 

 gradually attenuated rostrum. The nose is large and considerably 

 elevated, it passes with uniform breadth to the extremity, which 

 is somewhat obliquely truncated. It has a lateral notch which 

 communicates with the nostrils, and which the animal can greatly 

 expand by a voluntary eiFort. The nostrils have oblong apertures 

 which are directed forward and divided by a very narrow septum. 

 It may be remarked, regarding the nose, that it is less developed 

 than in the Ursus labiatus of Blainville, but more than in the 

 common Bear: by drying its form is considerably changed, as 

 appears in the figure formerly published ; the covering of the nos- 

 trils which is observed in this figure, is formed by the contraction 

 of the fleshy extremity. The upper lip is lax and fleshy and in some 

 degree pendulous ; the animal has the power of contracting it 

 laterally and of thrusting it forward as a short trunk or proboscis. 

 The lower lip is small, compressed and partially concealed by 

 the upper. Both lips are covered interiorly by transverse fleshy 

 rugosities and warts. Numerous straggling hairs about an inch 

 hi length and of a gray colour, are scattered along the borders of 

 the upper lip, but our animal is devoid of stiff projecting vibrissce. 

 The eyes, which are situated at the union of the rostrum with the 

 skull, are small and without vivacity; the irides are violet with 

 a vitreous, opaline cast, and the pupils are very minute. The 

 ears are short, oblong, obtuse and directed backwards; thick 



