OKDER V. THE CARNIVOUA. 177 



cisioti, greatly damaging their sea-clotlies. He trusted entirely to the acuteness 

 of his olfactory sense during the whole period of his bUnduess, whicli continued 

 till the last days of February." 



The eenus Ursus, now dl\ided into four sub-genera, is distributed over all 

 the continents and the great Australasian islands ; but it is a fact somewhat 

 remarkable, that the species increase in size and strength as they a[)proacIi 

 the north. 



The dentition of this genns consists of six incisors, two canines, and twelve 

 molars above, and six incisors, two canines, and fourteen molars below ; the 

 crowns of the molars indicate a decided frugivorous habit. The limlis are 

 high and of great strengtii ; the feet five-toed, fm-nished with powerful claws, 

 designed, apparently, more for digging and climbing th;ui tearing; the ears 

 roundish, or obtusely pointed ; the eyes small ; the fur, in cold climates, long 

 and thick ; and the tail is always short, sometimes Ijeing a mere tubercle or 

 rudiment. 



Sub-genus Helarctos. — Tlic Sun Bears. Tliere arc only two species 

 known, and both are ecpiatorial. They arc distinguished by a close, sliort 

 fur ; body long in proportion to tlieir height at the shoulder ; car small and 

 round ; muzzle short and broad ; li[)s extensile ; tongue very long ; a whitish 

 space on the breast, and long, crooked claws. The species best known to 

 naturalists is the 



//. 3I<il(n/aiiHS. — The Bruang. This animal inhabits Sumatra. It is 

 about four feet long and two feet high; the fur glossy black ; the face to be- 

 hind tiie eyes and lower jaw is buH'; on the breast is a large, white crescent, 

 the horns of which are pointed forward : the tail is less than an inch in length. 

 Thounli very strong, and armed with poweitid claws, it is inoirensi\e and 

 gentle. It is remarkable for its docility and sagacity, feeds on vegetables, 

 and is exceedingly fond of honey and sugar. 



//. Eun/Kpiluti. — The Bornean Sun Bear. This species differs chiefly in 

 the form of the mark on the breast, whicli is nearly square, and of a yellow- 

 ish or orange-color. In manners it is similar to the former, although it stands 

 with more facility on its hind feet, and protrudes its lips into a kind of fun- 

 nel shape more completely. It has tumbling propensities, however, that 

 seem to ally it to the next group. 



Sub-genus PitOCiiiLUs. — Lal)iated or Tumbler Bear. Prochilus differs 

 considerably from the other sub-genera of this family by the irregularity of 

 its dentition. The individuals in all others have forty-two tectli each ; but 

 in this group the number varies ; it may be thirty-six, twenty-six, or thirty- 

 four. The cartilage of the nose is movable and extensile, and the lips pro- 

 trudible. The ears are small and pointed; the hair is abundant on the nape 

 NO. V. 23 



