OKDEE V. THE CAENIVOIU. 167 



•women, that the hopes of heing allowed to accompany the men will make 

 them behave well all the yeai-. On these excursions they live well, and 

 seem more happy than in the rainy season. On their way home they travel 

 day and night rapidly, in spite of obstructions, carrying long poles between 

 them, on which the animals are slung — the boys carrying the skins and 

 lard ; the dogs, too, are well fed during this period, and seem to return with 

 regret. A cloud of vultures generally hovers over them, and is seen by 

 their clans a day or two before they arrive, who make every jn-cparation to 

 receive them ; their return is greeted like that of victors. The rainy nights 

 are passed in recounting their exploits one to another." 



The Bear badger ( (Jrstla.cus) is an Asiatic animal, of the habits of 

 which we know nothing. 



The Sand Hog (Arcloui/.v) is also from Asia. The collared sand hog 

 (^1. coUurls) resembles both a small bear and a hog. Its general color 

 is yellowish-gray ; the limbs are black. It dwells in burrows, subsists on 

 fruits and animals, but prefers the former. Defends itself in an upright 

 posture when attacked, like the bear, and grunts like a hog. 



Genus Mydaus. One species {31. mcUccps), tlie Stinkard, is found 

 in Java and Sumatra. It is about eighteen inches long, of a deep brown 

 color, the head buff; a broad, white streak extends from the forehead to 

 the croup, and the tip of the tail and claws are white. These marks, to- 

 gether with the mephitic pouch, give it a skunk-like character. 



Genus Cekcoleptes. The Kinlcajoa. — There is but one species, 

 having plantigrade feet and a very long prehensile tail, as in the sapajous. 

 It inhabits the warm regions of America, where it is named Poto. It is 

 of a gentle dis^josition, feeding on honey, fruits, milk, and blood, and dwell- 

 ing mostly on trees ; sits on its haunches, and uses the fore paws like the 

 squirrel. The prehensile tail it also employs as a hand, and draws up with 

 it a weight nearly equal to itself. 



Genus Nasua. The Coatimondis. — These animals, besides having 

 many of the attributes and characters of the raccoons, are distinguished by 

 a very long and movable snout. Though their feet are semi-palmate, they 

 are skilful climbers and powerful diggers. They descend fromtrees head 

 foremost, by turning the hind feet outwards. They emit a very disagreeable 

 smell. The Eed Coati (A^. »■«/"«; Vive n-a JVasu a, hmn.). These ratli- 

 er singular creatures are a little less than a cat in size, are gregarious, 

 forming small troops or families, and caution each other in danger by utter- 

 ing a shrill cry. The Brown Coati (2i. fusca) equals tlie former in size, 

 and is described as " a ludicrously meddling, active, climbing, and inquisi- 

 tive animal when in captivity." The Coati ilendi (jV. solitaria) is a much 

 larger animal tiian tlie former species, being three feet and eight inches 



o 



