402 • CLASS MAMMALIA. 



in a similar proportion. With the Suricate, the brain, as 

 in Cats and Dogs, corresponds, anteriorly, with the middle 

 of the orbit, but as the bones of the nose remain very 

 short, the animal's sense of smell would be^ery feeble, but 

 for the extension of the cartilaginous parts in the same or- 

 gan. This incontestably favours the exercise of smell, 

 while the power of taste is still limited by the shortness 

 of the aforesaid bones. The nose is terminated by a glan- 

 dulous organ, in which open the nostrils, formed somewhat 

 like those of Dogs. There is nothing particular in the other 

 organs of sense. 



The cerebral cavity is remarkable by itsextetn, breadth, 

 and rounded form. This, again, distinguishes the Suricate 

 from the Mangoustes, which are characterized by the nar- 

 row and cylindrical form of this cavity. 



The mammae are three in number on each side, and the 

 anus is surrounded by a naked skin, which covers a glan- 

 dulous apparatus, leading by two orifices to the- internal 

 edge of the rectum. The limbs are terminated by four 

 toes, armed with long and digging nails. The feet are 

 characterized by certain tubercles, and are covered with a 

 fine skin, like that of the human hand. 



With these differences of organization, certain differences 

 of habit are found to correspond. The Suricate does not 

 move like the Polecats or Mangoustes, with the head low, 

 the body elongated, and the rapidity of an arrow. Its body 

 is arched, and though it proceeds quickly, it has not that 

 uniformity of motion which makes the others appear to 

 glide rather than run. It places the entire sole on the 

 ground, and can easily stand upright on its hind legs. 

 Sometimes it will carry its provisions to its mouth with its 

 fore-paws. Its sense of smell is its principal guide. It 

 ferrets about, thrusting its mobile nose into every hollow 

 place, and when it finds an object which strikes its sense of 

 smell, it seizes it instantly, and devours it. Sweet fruits 



