770 MR. A.D. BARTLETT ON THE HABITS OF THE PANDA. [ Nov. 15, 
shoots of the roses, and, finding some unripe apples that had fallen 
from the trees, greedily devoured them. I had a fear they might 
disagree with him ; this, however, was not the case, for he rapidly 
improved in condition. At night his usual supply of beef-tea &e. 
was given to him in his cage; and this was always consumed by 
morning. 
We have in the Gardens two or three trees upon which grow 
bunches of yellow berries (Pyrus vestita). Upon giving some of 
these to the Panda, I noticed his fondness of chem He would 
grasp the bunch in his paw, holding it tightly, and bite off these 
berries one by one ; so delighted with this food was he, that all other 
food was left as long as these berries lasted. I have every reason 
to believe that berries, fruit, and other vegetable substances consti- 
tute the food of this animal in a wild state. 
It was upon this food the animal became more vigorous, and the 
old ragged and matted coat was thrown off, and the beautiful new 
fur began to grow rapidly. One important operation was performed 
almost every morning, that of a shower-bath, administered by means 
of a garden-syringe; this was done before letting him out of his 
cage; it induced him to bask in the sun, to clean and dry himself. 
The biting, scratching, and shaking to get rid of the old and clotted 
fur was a sure sign of good health. Animals recovering from sick- 
ness show signs of improvement by their attempts to clean them- 
selves ; and it is of the utmost importance to aid them, by judi- 
cious means, to accomplish this object. Many valuable animals are 
lost in consequence of their neglected condition ; they fret and die 
more on account of the filth about them than from actual disease, 
although disease is a sure attendant upon animals allowed to become 
filthy. 
This individual was not disposed to become a pet; for, notwith- 
standing every attempt to induce it to be caressed, it continued to 
exhibit a rather fierce and angry disposition—probably only an 
individual peculiarity, and not at all characteristic of the species. 
When offended, it would rush at me and strike with both feet, 
not, like a cat, sideways or downwards, but forward, and the body 
raised like a bear, the claws projecting, but not hooked or brought 
down like the claws of a cat ; for although the claws are partly re- 
tractile, the animal cannot use them in that manner. At the moment 
of making the attack, it would utter a sharp spitting hiss; this, 
and a weak, single, squeaking call-note, are the only sounds I ever 
heard it utter. 
Its mode of progression on the ground corresponds with that of the 
Kinkajou, Otter, and Weasel—running on all fours, or jumping with 
a kind of gallop, its back rather arched. In climbing, the Panda 
is not quite so expert in trees as the Kinkajou, the prehensile tail of 
which renders that animal much assistance in swinging from branch 
to branch. The Kinkajou has also a far higher intelligence, 
In forming an opinion of the affinities of the Panda from its general 
appearance and habits, as far as it is possible to judge of these by 
observing an animal in captivity, I am led to remark the strong 
