IfiS DIVISION I. VERTEBRAL ANIMALS. — CLASS I. JIAMJIALIA- 



in ]cn"-tli. lie lives a solitary life during most of the year, and seems to 

 delinlit in the depths of the forests. lie does not burrow, and has no per- 

 manent abiding plaee ; hunts by day, feeding on fruit, insects, and eggs. 

 lie moves with the sedateness of a piiihisopher, is more intelligent than the 

 other species, of greater docility and capability of education, but is con- 

 scious of his own powers, and is ready to resent any invasion of iiis rigiits. 

 He is a powerful animal, and more than a match for two hunting-dogs. 



One other species is mentioned, JVanua Blomivhui;; of this, liowevcr, 

 nothing is known. 



It is said that one species of tliis animal cats off its own tail I Wc doubt 

 this, but will let Professor Godman speak for himself: — 



"The extreme length of its tail, in which the blood circulates but feebly, 

 exposes it to the influence of cold or frost ; and the exceedingly tormenting 

 irritation produced thereby leads the animal to gnaw and scratch the tail, to 

 relieve the excessive itching. The disease spreads, and the anguish induces 

 the coati to gnaw more furiously, and eventually its life is destroyed by the 

 extension of the inflammation and irritability to the spine." 



Gems jViictkjtis. BiatiirotKjx. — The Binturongs, also, by their den- 

 tition, are allied to the raccoons. They are covered with long hair, and 

 ha\e a tuft at each ear, with a long, hairy, prehensile tail, and long whiskers. 

 They are natives of India. Although several species are spoken of, there is 

 really but one known, the Arct. Alhifrons. The male is black, with whitish 

 mu7,/.le, of the size of a large dog ; the female is gray, with the tail and sides 

 of the nnizzle black, and about the size of a large cat. The animal is of a 

 mild disposition, and easily tamed. 



GiCNUs AiLUKUS. The Pdmhc. — Tlic Panda draws very near to the 

 raccoons. The only species known, the iSliining panda (//. rffuhjciis), is 

 of the size of a cat. The color above is of a bright cinnamon-red, l)ehind 

 more fulvous, and black beneath. The head is whitish, and the tail is 

 ringed with brown. It is a very iie;uitiful animal, resides near rivers and 

 mountain streams, and feeds on Jjirds and small animals. It is arboreal, 

 siiending much of its time on trees. 



GiCNUS Pkocyox. The Raccoons. — These animals have been styled 

 bears in miniature. They have three tuberculous back molars, the first 

 being the carnivorous tooth, and three pointed false molars before them, 

 forming a continuous series to the canines, which are straight and compressed. 

 The raccoon belongs to the Western Continent. 



The Connuon raccoon (P. lotor) is of grayish brown, the muzzle Avliitc, 

 and the tail marked with white and black rings. It is often tamed, 

 and has a singular habit of dipping its food into water liefore eating it. Tliis 

 animal has a peculiar method of fishing for crabs, of which it is remarkably 



