BANDED WOLVERINE. 81 



itself with success against all other quadrupeds^ flies 

 from the face of man. 



The geographic range of this animal is over the whole 

 northern part of America, from Labrador and Davis's 

 Straits to the shores of the Pacific. Its bones have even 

 been found in Melville Island, and it is common in Ca- 

 nada. 



The total length is a little more than three feet. The 

 head is broad, compact^, and suddenly rounded off, while 

 in the shape of its jaws it resembles a dog. The whole 

 aspect indicates great strength, without much activity- 

 The fur greatly resembles that of the black bear, being 

 of a black or dark brown colour, with a paler band on 

 each side the flanks : there are some white marks also 

 on the throat and chest, which are not constant in their 

 shapes. The claws are strong and sharp. 



The Banded or South American Wolverine. 



Gulo vittatus, Cuvier. Viverra vittata, Linn. G lisoit, Riiffon. 

 Petit Fruret, Azara. 



This may be considered the representative of the last 

 species, or common wolverine, in South America, since 

 it appears restricted to those latitudes south of the equi- 

 noctial line. According to Azara, it is very common in 

 Paraguay, but appears scarce in Surinam. We cannot 

 trace what are the intermediate countries it inhabits. 

 In a state of nature it is said to be a most ferocious 

 little animal, living entirely upon small quadrupeds, 

 birds, reptiles, &c. 



In conflnement it preserves its sanguinary disposition, 

 if not well supplied with food ; but it yet appears ca- 

 pable of a certain degree of domestication, and even of 

 docility. M. F. Cuvier gives the following account of 

 one which was then hving in the Paris menagerie: — - 

 " Although it was so far tamed as to be fond of play, 

 it did not appear to recognise any person in particular. 

 It seemed to derive great pleasure from being stroked 

 down the back. When invited to play, it would turn 



