134 THE TOWER MENAGERIE. 
the more interesting and prominent features of the his- 
tory which is there given of the Bornean Bear; which, 
in conjunction with another closely related species, the 
Ursus Malayanus, Dr. Horsfield has separated from the 
other bears under the sub-generic title of Helarctos. 
One of the most striking points on which this distine- 
tion is founded consists in the form of the head, which, 
instead of being flattened, as in the more northern 
species of the group, is nearly hemispherical above, the 
forehead rising in a strong arch immediately behind the 
nose, which is obtuse and very gradually attenuated. 
The gape of the mouth is considerable ; and the tongue, 
which is long, narrow, and very extensile, is capable of 
being protruded for nearly a foot, and then curved 
inwards in a spiral manner, a habit in which the animal 
appears frequently to indulge. In the teeth the differ- 
ence between this subdivision of the genus and the rest 
of the animals which compose it is unessential, the 
incisors and canines having no distinguishing characters, 
and the molars being apparently subject to the same 
variations as in the genuine bears. 
The Bornean Bear is perhaps somewhat shorter in his 
proportions than the rest of the group, and the great 
proportional breadth of his head extends also to the 
neck and body. The claws are very long, strongly 
arched, and very gradually attenuated to the point, 
which is transversely truncated and chiefly fitted for 
digging the earth ; but probably also enabling it to climb 
with great agility. The fur is short and glistening, 
somewhat rigid, but closely applied to the skin, and 
smooth to the touch. On the body, head, and extremi- 
ties, the Bornean Bear has the same pure, saturated, 
