ORDER CARNASSIER. 415 



viewed sideways, and so as that theextremities of the hairs 

 only are visible ; but if looked upon so as to show any- 

 length of fur, it is yellowish ; on this ground, may be per- 

 ceived three ranges of spots on each, side of the spine, and 

 others sprinkled on the thighs and shoulders ; but if con- 

 templated in its black position, the latter spots are no 

 longer visible, and the former assume the appearance of 

 stripes or lines. The silky hairs are entirely black, so that 

 when they only are to be seen, the animal is black ; but as 

 these, though long, are few in number compared with the 

 others, which are yellow, hence results the difference in the 

 general tint, according as the eye may view the surface 

 only, or penetrate further into the fur. 



The limbs are black, but the tubercles on the feet are 

 flesh-coloured ; the tail is black for one-half its length, as 

 well as the head, which becomes paler ; however, towards 

 the muzzle, there is a white patch above each eye ; the 

 inner side of the ear is flesh-coloured, except round the 

 edge ; the external surface is black, except at the edge, 



which is white. 



« 



The individual described by M. F. Cuvier, kept in the 

 Paris Museum, slept during the whole day, rolled into a 

 ball . It was with much difficulty it could be raised from 

 this lethargy; towards the decline of day, he roused himself 

 for a short period, but as soon as he had eaten and drank, 

 returned to his bed again, which he kept very neat and clean. 

 His motions were slow, nor did he appear capable of lively 

 sensations. On being troubled, he would utter a sort of 

 grunt, by way of menace. Contrary to the Civets and Ge- 

 nets, he exhaled no scent. His tail, though curled, had no 

 prehensile power. It must be observed, however, that this 

 individual died of accumulation of fat, resulting, no doubt, 

 from his sedentary life, whence we may infer that, in a 

 state of nature, his habits would have been very different. 



